Search - Damage

Written in memoir-form, this page-turner tells the story of a middle-aged, married British politician who falls into an obsessive sexual liaison with his son's mysterious girlfriend. In a sparse, occasionally heavy-handed style, the narrator recounts his life as a successful facade concealing a decided lack of feeling, until the fateful meeting which both reveals his nature to him and threatens his entire life -- a sham, but a comfortable sham. Much of the action is told in dialogue form and conveys the emotional undercurrents of even the most casual exchange to great effect. The book served as the basis for the Louis Malle film of the same title, starring Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche and Miranda Richardson. I recommend reading the book, then seeing the movie, which fleshes out some elements of the story -- especially the character of the (anti)hero's wife, who doesn't really come into her own till the end of the book, but shines in the movie.

A smart sexy book, even better than the movie which was really hot.

Good book. I read the book before I saw the movie. Both are very good.

A psychological page turner. The book was made into a movie starring Jeremy Irons and Genevive Bujold. Deeply affecting.

The unnamed narrator of this chilling, uncomfortable first novel lives a life many men work vainly all their lives to attain: wealth, successful political career, beautiful wife, two attractive children. At the age of 50, however, the narrator has yet to feel passionately about anything--or anyone--in his life. Then his son brings home the woman he plans to marry, the enigmatic Anna Barton, and he recognizes in Anna the passion for which he will eagerly lay to waste everything and everyone in his life. Anna, tragedy ever-present in her life, warns, "Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive." Unheeding, he does not veer from a path which can lead only to damage for everyone except, ultimately, perhaps Anna herself. Compulsively readable enough to be devoured in a single sitting, this novel is brilliant, but unsettling. Obsession and its aftermath can be fascinating, but never comfortable, reading

The writing is excellent!!! The story is thrilling and full of scandal.

The movie did NOT do this book justice.

Autorgraphed by the author

Fast, easy read!

A chilling story of obsessive love.

this is one my favorites. i read the book first and was not disappointed in the movie. i thought they both worked.

A story of scandal in high places.