The Collector question

I read this book - loved it. I read it within a day. I think the beginning really sets up the scene for his character, collecting butterflies, bad relationship with aunt and cousin, a bit socially outcast (but still wants to be included). It’s good at letting us get a feel for what kind’ve person we are expecting - and clever how we get this from his interactions with others mostly, as of course, he is quickly determined to be an unreliable narrator. I think it was definitely creepy AF, and so delusional. But i guess thats the shocking thing about it is that you see this side of him straight away; there is an instant fascination (then obsession) with the girl. For me, I think the beginning is creepier, as the ending is somewhat more predictable - you kind’ve know she’s not going to make it and that he likely will repeat. It’s still a good ending IMO because it’s not a ‘fairy tale’ ending - e.g., it doesn’t leave things nice and neat (that she escapes or he gets caught). It’s more realistic in the ending we get because often life doesn’t translate as black and white. The beginning is creepier because we first have to establish the unreliable narration, and instant fixation, and then obviously the very quick escalation. TBH, if you liked this you should give Lolita a try. It’s got unreliable narration and similar themes