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The Girl On The Landing
by
Paul Torday
The novel begins as Michael, a middle-aged man of means, is dressing for dinner at a friend's country house in Ireland. As he descends the grand staircase, he spots a small painting of a landing with an old linen press and the white marble statue of an angel. In the background is a woman clad in a dark green dress. During dinner, Michael comments on the painting to his hos...more
297 pages
Published
(first published October 16th 2008)
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British novelist Paul Torday is a retired businessman who launched a successful second career when he published the bestselling Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (2007).
His follow up, The Irresistible Inheritance Of Wilberforce (2008), proved popular as well. The former was a comedy, the second a tragedy.
His third is something like a horror story. The author has a knack for creating a sense of unease in his narratives, and The Girl On The Landing is his darkest effort yet.
It is also his most uneven...more
His follow up, The Irresistible Inheritance Of Wilberforce (2008), proved popular as well. The former was a comedy, the second a tragedy.
His third is something like a horror story. The author has a knack for creating a sense of unease in his narratives, and The Girl On The Landing is his darkest effort yet.
It is also his most uneven...more
After spending about 2 months reading 2666, it was a relief and a joy to be able to finish a book in just 2 or 3 days. I AM still a reader! Hurrah!
So thanks to this book for that.
Otherwise, shrug. It was forgettable.
"The Girl On The Landing" was spooky and suspenseful, and I haven't read a book like that in a very long time. It's a bit of a psychological thriller, with the main character slowly turning into an evil elf from Lord of the Rings and sloughing off his dull, stodgy, upper class Brit...more
So thanks to this book for that.
Otherwise, shrug. It was forgettable.
"The Girl On The Landing" was spooky and suspenseful, and I haven't read a book like that in a very long time. It's a bit of a psychological thriller, with the main character slowly turning into an evil elf from Lord of the Rings and sloughing off his dull, stodgy, upper class Brit...more
If you have read Salmon Fishing in Yemen you will enjoy this book, although it is a bit different. I actually found it rather creepy and actually looked behind me when going upstairs at night to bed. The story follows Michael, an unusual bloke, no money worries, crumbling estate in Scotland. He is quiet, reserved and married to Elizabeth. The story unfolds through each character's point of view. Is Michael starting to fall apart into a different reality - ie schizophrenia - or has he really seen...more
This was recommended to me by a friend who said it shared a similar theme with something I've written. I just dearly hope it was just the theme and that the quality and style of the writing are in no way similar. Only people who know me should read this review TBH.
Have some thoughts/observations...
(view spoiler)...more
Have some thoughts/observations...
(view spoiler)...more
I give it three stars because I didn't want to put it down, I wanted to keep going and see what was happening. But it is definitely not as marvelous as his book - Salmon Fishing in Yemen.
Paul Torday writes with an uncertain hand here and this reader got the sense that he wasn't sure whether he wanted this effort slotted in the horror or the psychological thriller genre.
The novel is written with dual perspectives, that of Michael and of his wife Elizabeth, which I liked. However, I wanted a bet...more
Paul Torday writes with an uncertain hand here and this reader got the sense that he wasn't sure whether he wanted this effort slotted in the horror or the psychological thriller genre.
The novel is written with dual perspectives, that of Michael and of his wife Elizabeth, which I liked. However, I wanted a bet...more
I really liked his style, found it very easy to read, but wasn't blown away by the storyline to be honest.
The last part of the book felt rushed as I think someone else has said, and there was one thing that I found surprisingly annoying, is petty, I know - but there is a word that is mentioned several times in the book, and when Elizabeth is talking the the 'new' Michael, she asks him a few times about it, and he never answers, so why, oh why, does she wait until it's all over, ask some pub qui...more
The last part of the book felt rushed as I think someone else has said, and there was one thing that I found surprisingly annoying, is petty, I know - but there is a word that is mentioned several times in the book, and when Elizabeth is talking the the 'new' Michael, she asks him a few times about it, and he never answers, so why, oh why, does she wait until it's all over, ask some pub qui...more
I have never liked the 'look' of this book. Nor Paul Torday's other novels (of which I have read none). I can't explain it - it's one of those things, like, "I just don't like their face." Anyway, this book somehow found its way into my house, as books tend to do (my house is like a refuge centre for unwanted books) and it was by my front door as I was rushing out of the house to catch my train. I opened the book begrudingly, and the first couple of paragraphs seemed to justify my prejudice.
But...more
But...more
I found this a really strange book that didn't really know what it wanted to be. At times is was almost Anita Brookner - middle class ennui with no-one expressing their feelings - at others more of a Gothic horror with a bit of crime thrown in.
It's about a boring upper middle-class man who works in a London gentleman's club and obsesses about the rules of the organisation. He also has a run-down estate in Scotland which he has inherited from his parents. He's married, but the marriage doesn't se...more
It's about a boring upper middle-class man who works in a London gentleman's club and obsesses about the rules of the organisation. He also has a run-down estate in Scotland which he has inherited from his parents. He's married, but the marriage doesn't se...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This novel is not what I expected, the blurb made me imagine something along the lines of Woman in Black, instead this reminded me more of The Shock of the Fall in both it's themes and it's execution. Initially the chapters alternate in narrator between staid golfer Michael and his complacent wife Elizabeth; and this works very well to give an overview of the events. As matters progress the lion's share of the narrative falls to Elizabeth allowing us to view Michael's transformation into Mikey f...more
This one appeared in the post, not quite sure who sent it to me. Wouldn't have picked it up otherwise.
This is a really good book. Michael, the main character, sees a picture of a girl on a landing, but nothing much is happening, a marriage that isn't going wrong but isn't going anywhere. The image of this girl in the picture become real to him, and his marriage to Elizabeth starts to blossom.
As she becomes happier she starts to discover secrets that she never knew about Michael and his past. It...more
This is a really good book. Michael, the main character, sees a picture of a girl on a landing, but nothing much is happening, a marriage that isn't going wrong but isn't going anywhere. The image of this girl in the picture become real to him, and his marriage to Elizabeth starts to blossom.
As she becomes happier she starts to discover secrets that she never knew about Michael and his past. It...more
Fantastic read! Very well plotted and themed. Not hard to get a grasp of what is happening but the story keeps you turning the pages all the same. Torday again has written about his more than slightly upper-crust characters who lunch at their London Clubs, play golf and go shooting grouse and deer on the weekend. All very nice for the odd stay in the country seat but in this tale, on the surface everything in Elizabeth and Michael's lives are as boring as dust but there is an undercurrent of
men...more
men...more
I've been totally gripped by this book over the past couple of days. I enjoyed 'Salmon Fishing', but found this one much more of an entralling read.
Paul Torday explores the degeneration of the the mind so well - as Michael stops taking his anti-psychotic medication he slowly and certainly slips back into the grip of schizophrenia. His wife, Elizabeth, who has spent the past 10 years of their marriage feeling rather underwhelmed suddenly discovers a new side to her husband, a side that she finds...more
Paul Torday explores the degeneration of the the mind so well - as Michael stops taking his anti-psychotic medication he slowly and certainly slips back into the grip of schizophrenia. His wife, Elizabeth, who has spent the past 10 years of their marriage feeling rather underwhelmed suddenly discovers a new side to her husband, a side that she finds...more
This is the first Paul Torbay narrative that I've read, and wasn't disappointed as it's a cracker.
Each chapter simmered with menace, and increased until a crescendo on the final page. I can't recomend this book highly enough, and don't want to give the story away and spoil it for others
I won this book from somewhere unknown, and would never have considered buying it, as it's got a boring, drab, unappealing cover. I've learnt my lesson now in never judging a book by it's cover.
Enjoy.
Each chapter simmered with menace, and increased until a crescendo on the final page. I can't recomend this book highly enough, and don't want to give the story away and spoil it for others
I won this book from somewhere unknown, and would never have considered buying it, as it's got a boring, drab, unappealing cover. I've learnt my lesson now in never judging a book by it's cover.
Enjoy.
This one reminded me why I read so much literary rubbish such as fluffy and predictable chick lit. By the end, everything has become clear, everyone who deserves to be happy is happy and all's well with the world.
Frustratingly, this book was ambiguous to the point where I wasn't sure whether I'd read something that was supposed to be supernatural or not, I didn't know what to make of the ending and I felt sad for all of the characters. It was well written, but rather a depressing read, and I do...more
Frustratingly, this book was ambiguous to the point where I wasn't sure whether I'd read something that was supposed to be supernatural or not, I didn't know what to make of the ending and I felt sad for all of the characters. It was well written, but rather a depressing read, and I do...more
my first book from torday's is The Irresistible Inheritnce of Wilberforce and i liked it. so, i think i should give The Girl On The Landing a go and i like it more than Wilberforce!
I can't put this book down more than one hour because i wanted to know what is wrong with Michael. Was he possesed? Why the ghost come after him? Torday was right, you think you know someone- but you never really do...
The Girl on the Landing is a ghost story with a skillful twist!
I can't put this book down more than one hour because i wanted to know what is wrong with Michael. Was he possesed? Why the ghost come after him? Torday was right, you think you know someone- but you never really do...
The Girl on the Landing is a ghost story with a skillful twist!
It starts out as story about a rather stiff and boring British upper class guy, his adapted wife and how he suddenly becomes animated, and their relation takes a turn for the better - and then it's suddenly a page-turning thriller. As different as both parts are - both are very well written. I'm amazed at Torday's skill; I've read three of his books now, all of them extremely different from another in topic and style, but all of them very worth reading. Chapeau!
The book starts out as a description of a marriage nearly in the doldrums, then acquires some slight romance, some mystery, some paranormality (if there's such a term) and some scary psychological overtones, and finally turns into all-out suspense and bloodletting. While it made for pretty good reading, the overall effect I got was of indecision - as in, the author didn't quite know which genre to stick with, so he stuck it all into one book. Readable, though.
Elizabeth discovers that her staid, predictable husband is not at all what he seems in this slow-burning, chilling tale. The tension builds as strange incidents occur and we discover past secrets. The ending suggests the story is not yet over. Psychological/medical information adds credibility and characters are well-drawn. Some questions remain in this reader's mind eg exactly what part did Mrs McLeish play? An uncomfortable read.
I am thrilled to have discovered author Torday, and dismayed that I have finished reading everything he has written to date. Excellent and versatile author. I loved the humor in "Salmon Fishing on the Yemen" but his other books remind me of Ian McEwan--more serious commentaries on modern life and social customs. At the beginning of this book, Charlie Summers is a side character, a buffoon, a joke--by the end, he is a hero.
The story is about Micheal with no past and his marriage to Elisabeth. Their marriage is described and life seems normal albeit dull. Then Michael seems to change. If you think this book might be like "Salmon fishing in the Yemen" you are in for a surprise. It is less funny but equally surprising, you come to think about what is normal in life. The Mainstream ore what is hidden... I enjoy this challenge.
"You never really know someone" - the catch phrase of the book. A married couple, settled in a fairly boring and predictable marriage spend a weekend with friends in Ireland. From here things start to unravel and the narrative is shared from each of the characters perspective of what is actually happening. I have no idea if the medical facts of Michael's condition are factual or not, but it made for a very interesting and absorbing read.
From a slow start the book developed into a brooding thundercloud of a tale, swinging from the cold, desolation of the Perthshire manor to the protagonist's crippling headaches and mind numbing tedium of the London gentleman's club. The dénouement, a little predictable perhaps, was simply presented without too much drama and the ending couldn't decide what it wanted to do with itself. All in all an enjoyable tale that left me wanting a little more in the way of a dramatic theme and a little more...more
Reviewed at : Mama Kucing Books : The Girl On The Landing by Paul Torday
This book is more fascinating than The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce. It;s more mysterious and a hint of dark forces at work.
The plot was very skillfully woven and the tension was there till the very end.
This book is more fascinating than The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce. It;s more mysterious and a hint of dark forces at work.
The plot was very skillfully woven and the tension was there till the very end.
If you like books with an atmosphere-this is a book for you
if you like books with poetic writing-this book is for you
if you like books with suspense- this book is for you
if you like books with meaningful romance- this is a book for you
and if you like books with a twist at the end- this is indeed a book for you!
Enjoy it with an open mind, re-read it and savor it.
if you like books with poetic writing-this book is for you
if you like books with suspense- this book is for you
if you like books with meaningful romance- this is a book for you
and if you like books with a twist at the end- this is indeed a book for you!
Enjoy it with an open mind, re-read it and savor it.
Fantastic story from start to finish. This one is more of a thriller than his previous and is completely gripping throughout. I'm not going to reveal any of the story as it unfolds so beautifully so all you need to know is that Elizabeth, who has been married to Michael for 10 monotonous years, suddenly realises that he is changing.
That is all you need to know - now read it!
That is all you need to know - now read it!
This is a library book read for Hartwell WI book club.
The book started out to be just another relationship drama, but as Michael dispeared and Mikey emerged as the book progressed it became more and more like a thriller. I didn't quite understand the Lamia references through the book, but that was made clear at the end. The book kept me hooked in and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing what the rest of the book club think of it tonight.
The book started out to be just another relationship drama, but as Michael dispeared and Mikey emerged as the book progressed it became more and more like a thriller. I didn't quite understand the Lamia references through the book, but that was made clear at the end. The book kept me hooked in and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing what the rest of the book club think of it tonight.
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This is the second Paul Torday that I have read and although I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the previous one, I did keep going to the end. He has quite an unusual writing style, which I do find a bit odd at times, and the plot here was verging on the ridiculous towards the end. Good build up of tension in the latter half of the book. An unusual story melding the past and present together nicely.
This was a book that had been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, never really grabbing my attention. Very happy that I finally picked it up. I had no expectations about the book and I don't generally read this type of genre - a kind of drama/mystery. Despite this, I really enjoyed it. The steady pace, the building suspense and the constant questioning. What is wrong with Michael? Torday created this really well. I was worried that the book was going to get to fantastical and unrealistic but to...more
Jul 25, 2011
Book Bazaar
added it
I have enjoyed each of Paul Torday's books and this one doesn't disappoint. A story that follows a man who has a personality change - is it his meds or the girl in the painitng on the landing? The alternate chapters from Mikey and his wife are well done and the pace speeds up as the disoritentation of the main characters does. Very clever, quirky and a read you will want to discuss with others.
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Nov 12, 2012 12:50pm