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paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
“People might think it lonely living on my own nearly all the time, but I never found it lonely. I always had plenty to think about, and anyway maybe I'm not so good on people.”
A fascinating psychological train-wreck. I'd seen the movie several times growing up since Alfred Hitchcock was behind the helm - and it stuck in my mind while reading the story so I can't help comparison. It followed a lot of the book faithfully, although the ending was completely different, as was her hidden trauma, and there lies some of the weakness of the story that dropped it to a four star rating over five. I'm sure I would feel the same even if I didn't see the film.
Marnie isn't exactly a likable character. She has redemption at the end but her heart of stone only thaws so much, and the author kind of abruptly cuts the story off at the end. I'd had loved to see the scene where she came back to Mark and he knew it, and to see where they went from there, and where she told him - and/or- the doctor all she'd discovered, but as a reader I kind of feel cheated of that. I only like unknowns looming ahead if it adds spice to this story, but the way the ending handled itself frustrated me.
Still the book is difficult to put down. The beginning is especially potent when Marnie is going through the motions as thieving Mary, then is discovered, then answers and fields questions from both Mark and the doctor. Mark as a character is a shining gem- the patience and tragedy of the man was maybe more depressing to me than Marnie's mental struggles.
The book is almost 400 pages, and you'd think a lot of shifting scenes may be needed to keep it interesting - but it doesn't need that for the pacing doesn't suffer. Winston Graham's writing style is perfect for this type of story and even the dialogue shifting when Marnie is regressing was well-done. It's first person POV and surprisingly well-done. I may have to hunt down more of this author's work.
It was interesting to be in the head of a thief like this too. Thieving is despicable, but there are different forms of that addictive madness so they can still be intriguing to read about. Toss in psychological horrors and hidden secrets, and it gets even better.
Even if the ending is a little frustrating, when I started it yesterday I've found it difficult to put down, the writing got to me, and the characters are well-done and absolutely different from the norm. Worth a read if you find a copy or pick up the e-book copy. And then, if you haven't already, you need to watch the movie at some point - despite some melodrama of the time, it's another unique and twisted take on the story, adding a completely different ending and color blindness being part of the psychological trauma.
A fascinating psychological train-wreck. I'd seen the movie several times growing up since Alfred Hitchcock was behind the helm - and it stuck in my mind while reading the story so I can't help comparison. It followed a lot of the book faithfully, although the ending was completely different, as was her hidden trauma, and there lies some of the weakness of the story that dropped it to a four star rating over five. I'm sure I would feel the same even if I didn't see the film.
Marnie isn't exactly a likable character. She has redemption at the end but her heart of stone only thaws so much, and the author kind of abruptly cuts the story off at the end. I'd had loved to see the scene where she came back to Mark and he knew it, and to see where they went from there, and where she told him - and/or- the doctor all she'd discovered, but as a reader I kind of feel cheated of that. I only like unknowns looming ahead if it adds spice to this story, but the way the ending handled itself frustrated me.
Still the book is difficult to put down. The beginning is especially potent when Marnie is going through the motions as thieving Mary, then is discovered, then answers and fields questions from both Mark and the doctor. Mark as a character is a shining gem- the patience and tragedy of the man was maybe more depressing to me than Marnie's mental struggles.
The book is almost 400 pages, and you'd think a lot of shifting scenes may be needed to keep it interesting - but it doesn't need that for the pacing doesn't suffer. Winston Graham's writing style is perfect for this type of story and even the dialogue shifting when Marnie is regressing was well-done. It's first person POV and surprisingly well-done. I may have to hunt down more of this author's work.
It was interesting to be in the head of a thief like this too. Thieving is despicable, but there are different forms of that addictive madness so they can still be intriguing to read about. Toss in psychological horrors and hidden secrets, and it gets even better.
Even if the ending is a little frustrating, when I started it yesterday I've found it difficult to put down, the writing got to me, and the characters are well-done and absolutely different from the norm. Worth a read if you find a copy or pick up the e-book copy. And then, if you haven't already, you need to watch the movie at some point - despite some melodrama of the time, it's another unique and twisted take on the story, adding a completely different ending and color blindness being part of the psychological trauma.
samwisery's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book from 'Blind Date with a Book', so I didn't choose it myself - and I wouldn't have.
Thoughtful and surprising. They do say not to judge a book by its cover. I might listen more in future.
Thoughtful and surprising. They do say not to judge a book by its cover. I might listen more in future.
francescaastraea's review against another edition
4.0
Very few people in this novel are likeable, fair warning.
ragingcardboard's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed this read. I'm a big fan of the Hitchcock movie based on this story, so I was excited to read the source material. The story is engaging and interesting. I both hated and sympathized with Marnie, at different points in the story. I enjoyed the slow unraveling and reveals as we went. It's so interesting to see what Marnie got away with, considering it would be impossible at this time. This story is a bit dated and used some language I'm not totally comfortable with, but aside from that, this was a good one.
tashabye's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the feel of this story, so retro and twilight zonish.
pinkpanthress's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this book. Though it would have been nice to have more closure at the end.
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
From BBC Radio 4:
It's 1961 and blonde and stunning Marnie Elmer poses as a secretary in order to steal from her employers and fund her mother's existence in Torquay. But she's yet to meet handsome company director, Mark Rutland, whose pursuit of her will ultimately lead to her downfall.
Winston Graham is probably best known for his "Poldark" series, but also wrote a number of taut thrillers, of which "Marnie" (written in 1961) may be the best remembered - having been filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in the early 1960s. This new adaptation for radio returns to the heart of the book itself.
One could not forget the famous of this film Hitchcook's version (1964) based on this book, with Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery and Diane Baker.
It's 1961 and blonde and stunning Marnie Elmer poses as a secretary in order to steal from her employers and fund her mother's existence in Torquay. But she's yet to meet handsome company director, Mark Rutland, whose pursuit of her will ultimately lead to her downfall.
Winston Graham is probably best known for his "Poldark" series, but also wrote a number of taut thrillers, of which "Marnie" (written in 1961) may be the best remembered - having been filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in the early 1960s. This new adaptation for radio returns to the heart of the book itself.
One could not forget the famous of this film Hitchcook's version (1964) based on this book, with Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery and Diane Baker.
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