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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Not my favorite of Barbara Vine's books, its odd detached style reminded me more of the author's voice in her more popular mystery guise as Ruth Rendell. Now I like Vine's novels and I enjoy Rendell although in a completely different way. Truthfully, it took me a little to accept this new novel as it is a bit of a departure from the author's previous novels under either name. I suppose it is a bit of a disappointment if one is expecting a typical Barbara Vine book, or even a Ruth Rendell and yet, once I settled into the pace of the book and the voices of its narrators, I found it quite compelling and beautifully written, as usual. I find it to be a very unsettling and even disturbing book, even more disturbing because it seems so bland. In usual Vine fashion, the characters one would think one would most like are the ones that one despises and those that seem, on the surface, the most shallow and callous, are the ones for which one feels the most sympathy.
I think this book is one that may at first seem a disappointment if one is looking for a familiar voice, but which also might be the one most likely to be re-read.
I think this book is one that may at first seem a disappointment if one is looking for a familiar voice, but which also might be the one most likely to be re-read.
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-birthday-present.html
This was my first Barbra Vine read, my first Ruth Rendell read for that matter, and I was really disappointed.
Her name is one I have heard many times when seeking out psychological thrillers to read. She just seems to be one of those authors whose name will appear whenever on a hunt. Thus, when I found a three book Barbra Vine collection on offer I jumped at them. I wasn’t crazy about any one book in particular, thus I was content with three random ones, and I allowed my sister to decide which one I would read first. Admittedly, it did sit on my shelf for quite some time, but in the end I worked around to it.
Despite the fact that it’s a very short book, it felt as though the book went on forever. I have read high fantasy books of around a thousand pages that have felt shorted than this book. Why? Because it did not feel as though it was going anywhere. I was expecting a thriller; instead, it was a recounting of life following events. Lives I did not care for, and events I found extremely dull. From the start we knew what had happened, we were given suggestions of where things were going, and whilst this can sometimes be fun such was not the case here. It simply wasn’t done as well as it could have been, as well as it has been in other books.
I could easily sit and write more, yet I have such a feeling of ‘meh’ in relation to this book that I cannot bring myself to write anything more than these couple of short paragraphs. As I own two more of her books I will be reading them, but I will not be in any rush to do so. I have plenty of books by authors I know I really enjoyed, books I am looking forward to reading. My view may be changed, but if the other two are anything like this one… well, it is safe to say they are not what I was made to believe they would be.
Overall, a massive disappointment.
Her name is one I have heard many times when seeking out psychological thrillers to read. She just seems to be one of those authors whose name will appear whenever on a hunt. Thus, when I found a three book Barbra Vine collection on offer I jumped at them. I wasn’t crazy about any one book in particular, thus I was content with three random ones, and I allowed my sister to decide which one I would read first. Admittedly, it did sit on my shelf for quite some time, but in the end I worked around to it.
Despite the fact that it’s a very short book, it felt as though the book went on forever. I have read high fantasy books of around a thousand pages that have felt shorted than this book. Why? Because it did not feel as though it was going anywhere. I was expecting a thriller; instead, it was a recounting of life following events. Lives I did not care for, and events I found extremely dull. From the start we knew what had happened, we were given suggestions of where things were going, and whilst this can sometimes be fun such was not the case here. It simply wasn’t done as well as it could have been, as well as it has been in other books.
I could easily sit and write more, yet I have such a feeling of ‘meh’ in relation to this book that I cannot bring myself to write anything more than these couple of short paragraphs. As I own two more of her books I will be reading them, but I will not be in any rush to do so. I have plenty of books by authors I know I really enjoyed, books I am looking forward to reading. My view may be changed, but if the other two are anything like this one… well, it is safe to say they are not what I was made to believe they would be.
Overall, a massive disappointment.
Another great thriller by the masterful Ruth Rendell, writing as Barbara Vine. She tells you most of the facts in the first several chapters and then deliciously unfolds the story. Rendell has keen insight into the human psyche and a wealth of knowledge on British politics and society. She uses both to tell this contemporary tale of sexuality, paranoia, and life's twists and turns.
A good read all around!
A good read all around!
The alternative title for Ruth Rendell's latest could be Death Cab for Cutie. Suave Tory MP, Ivor Tesham is indulging in a steamy affair with the lithesome blond, Hebe Furnal, who is married to Gerry, an executive for a charity foundation. Tesham and Hebe enjoy kinky sex and role playing. Tesham plans a special birthday present for Hebe (who, amusingly for me, shares my birth date of May 17th.) This birthday 'gift' is a scenario where Ivor Tesham hires an fledgling actor/cab driver and another associate to "abduct" Hebe from the side of a road, pack her into a cab, bound and gagged, and take her to a house where he is waiting for her. Hebe will be aware that something will happen and that it will involve a game with Tesham, but the details will be a surprise. (Personally, I hope that next May my own spouse will stick with slightly more conventional plans....but that is an aside which is not helpful to other readers.)
Obviously, the mock abduction does not go well. En route to the home where Tesham is waiting, the driver, Dermot Lynch, goes through a red light and collides with a truck. Hebe Furnal is killed in the crash, as is the other man in the car, Lloyd Freeman. Lynch survives but barely. He remains in a coma with severe brain damage and an indefinite future.
Ivor Tesham's role in the scenario is, therefore, covered up for the time being. However, he lives under the constant cloud of apprehension. Who knows the various bits and pieces about his affair with Hebe? How much do they know? Can any one person connect the dots and draw a picture that will lead back to him? His promising political career is at stake and he becomes a haunted man.
Rendell can take characters who are almost uniformly unpleasant and make you want to know what happens to them. The victims in this story are not people I can sympathize with, but this is immaterial. I was interested in their motivations and the repercussions. This is what makes a psychological suspense story so satisfying -- plumbing the murky depths of human nature. The action in Rendell's plots is far more mental than physical (although acts of deadly violence do occur). Rendell also has the uniquely British talent for writing about distasteful subjects and despicable people in a tasteful and understated way. She refrains from going over the top and keeps her characters tightly drawn.
The legion of Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine fans will enjoy The Birthday Present and new readers may want to give it a try as well.
Obviously, the mock abduction does not go well. En route to the home where Tesham is waiting, the driver, Dermot Lynch, goes through a red light and collides with a truck. Hebe Furnal is killed in the crash, as is the other man in the car, Lloyd Freeman. Lynch survives but barely. He remains in a coma with severe brain damage and an indefinite future.
Ivor Tesham's role in the scenario is, therefore, covered up for the time being. However, he lives under the constant cloud of apprehension. Who knows the various bits and pieces about his affair with Hebe? How much do they know? Can any one person connect the dots and draw a picture that will lead back to him? His promising political career is at stake and he becomes a haunted man.
Rendell can take characters who are almost uniformly unpleasant and make you want to know what happens to them. The victims in this story are not people I can sympathize with, but this is immaterial. I was interested in their motivations and the repercussions. This is what makes a psychological suspense story so satisfying -- plumbing the murky depths of human nature. The action in Rendell's plots is far more mental than physical (although acts of deadly violence do occur). Rendell also has the uniquely British talent for writing about distasteful subjects and despicable people in a tasteful and understated way. She refrains from going over the top and keeps her characters tightly drawn.
The legion of Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine fans will enjoy The Birthday Present and new readers may want to give it a try as well.