The Collector in Pick-a-Shelf

Mar 11, 2011 CluckingBell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, author-english, owned-read

I spent a lot of time thinking about the two main characters in this novel, what they did, what they could have done differently, what made them tick and what greater meaning they might have. I read so few books that make me think about anything other than what the publisher might have been thinking. Reading “The Collector” was a rare treat.

The first part is told from the kidnapper’s point of view. He manages to be both delusional (“She’ll realize how lovable I am once I have smothered her with I spent a lot of time thinking about the two main characters in this novel, what they did, what they could have done differently, what made them tick and what greater meaning they might have. I read so few books that make me think about anything other than what the publisher might have been thinking. Reading “The Collector” was a rare treat.

The first part is told from the kidnapper’s point of view. He manages to be both delusional (“She’ll realize how lovable I am once I have smothered her with chloroform and trapped her in a cellar with me.”) and unimaginative (“This plan is foolproof!”). Unfortunately, he fails to realize that an inclination to impose your will on someone else (e.g., by chloroforming and holding them captive) is a character flaw that’s a little hard for most women to overcome. And it’s not the only flaw he has. Creeepy.

The second part retells the first from Miranda’s point of view, through the secret journal she’s keeping in her captivity. It depicts the confusion and angst of an idealistic 20-year-old held prisoner by an inscrutable stranger, her fears and regrets, and how she struggles to maintain her humanity throughout. Through the eyes of her captor, she’s a specimen, strange and equally inscrutable, but her journal brings her to life and makes her real and individual. I found Miranda hugely sympathetic, even in (and maybe even because of) her rejection of the values of the indolent middle class and their intellectual torpor. She’s young and passionate and still figuring out the world and her place in it. She’s wrestling with issues and ideas I still find challenging at nearly twice her age, and I respect her for that.

What I can’t decide is whether Clegg’s decision to (view spoiler) is an act of redemption (albeit inadequate) or perversion—or just one more staged act of contrition and morality he ultimately will not follow through on(view spoiler) Again, creeepy. ...more

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May 29, 2015 Marie (UK) rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2015-reading-challenge

i should have been blown way by this book - well according to all the 4 and 5 star reviews i should. It just did not float my boat, the same story is told twice once from the sociopaths, whining, "i did her no harm" point of view and once through the diary of the socialite - more whining. Essentially you read half a book then read the same half again. Then you are brought up to date and left with the possibility of more. ...more

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