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Available
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Description
Fiction. Literature. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:Fifteen years ago, Susan Morrow left her first husband, Edward Sheffield, an unpublished writer. Now, she's enduring middle class suburbia as a doctor's wife, when out of the blue she receives a package containing the manuscript of her ex-husband's first novel. He writes asking her to read the book; she was always his best critic, he says. As Susan reads, she is drawn into the fictional life of Tony Hastings, a math professor driving his family to their summer house in Maine. And as we read with her, we too become lost in Sheffield's thriller. As the Hastings' ordinary, civilized lives are disastrously, violently sent off course, Susan is plunged back into the past, forced to confront the darkness that inhabits her, and driven to name the fear that gnaws at her future and will change her life. Tony and Susan is a dazzling, eerie, riveting novel about fear and regret, blood and revenge, marriage and creativity. It is simply one of a kind. "A superb and thrilling novel...extrodinary." � Ian McEwan "Compelling...mesmerizing...absolutely irresistible."�New York Times "A perfect and literary puzzle, an irresistible tale anout marriage and murder, both thriling and moving." � Scott Turow "A page-turner of a literary thriller." � Sara Waters "Beautifully written, perfectly paced, impressively clever, and ultimately shocking in a way you never see coming." � Nelson DeMille "Absolutely terrifying, beautiful, and appalling. Parts of it shocked me, and I am not easily shocked." � Ruth Rendell.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member michelle_bcf
This is a book originally published in 1993, but this time around it seems to have caught the attention of reviewers. The new hardback cover certainly has an eye catching simplicity about it.
The story itself is quite unusual, Susan receives a manuscript from her ex husband, which he asks her to
In this way, we get to read Edward’s story for ourselves, along with Susan. It’s a thriller, which turns dark and violent. How you feel about this part of the book probably depends on which thrillers you like. I personally enjoyed the tensely written beginning more than the violence towards the end, but for others this may be different.
There are small breaks in between, which for me were the most enjoyable. During these, we get to share in Susan’s experience of reading – how she feels so far, and her anticipation of what is to come. As a keen reader myself, I found it a very accurate account.
As well as these small breaks, there are two interludes, during which we are given more of Susan’s own history – we find out more about both husbands, and the transition between them. Reading Edward’s manuscript rouses memories in Susan, as well as making her question things.
There are mixed reviews for this book, although the majority are positive, but I can see both points of view. Looking at my own response to the book, one of the main problems could be one of expectation. The book is described as being a book about fear and revenge, and when taken along with the internal thriller, I was expecting something rather different towards the end.
I therefore decided to wait a while before writing my review, and indeed my feelings about the book have improved. It’s one those books which sits quietly as you reflect on it, rather than being something instantly forgettable. The key, for me, is actually the difference between the two – a manuscript which achieves it’s aims with violence, compared to a much more subtle experience of thoughtfulness and change in Susan.
I agree with other reviewers who feel they would benefit from a second reading. Having different expectations this time should mean that I’m able to see more.
The story itself is quite unusual, Susan receives a manuscript from her ex husband, which he asks her to
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read, stating she was always his best critic. Susan is a keen reader, and she chooses a time when her husband is away, thus reading it in three sittings.In this way, we get to read Edward’s story for ourselves, along with Susan. It’s a thriller, which turns dark and violent. How you feel about this part of the book probably depends on which thrillers you like. I personally enjoyed the tensely written beginning more than the violence towards the end, but for others this may be different.
There are small breaks in between, which for me were the most enjoyable. During these, we get to share in Susan’s experience of reading – how she feels so far, and her anticipation of what is to come. As a keen reader myself, I found it a very accurate account.
As well as these small breaks, there are two interludes, during which we are given more of Susan’s own history – we find out more about both husbands, and the transition between them. Reading Edward’s manuscript rouses memories in Susan, as well as making her question things.
There are mixed reviews for this book, although the majority are positive, but I can see both points of view. Looking at my own response to the book, one of the main problems could be one of expectation. The book is described as being a book about fear and revenge, and when taken along with the internal thriller, I was expecting something rather different towards the end.
I therefore decided to wait a while before writing my review, and indeed my feelings about the book have improved. It’s one those books which sits quietly as you reflect on it, rather than being something instantly forgettable. The key, for me, is actually the difference between the two – a manuscript which achieves it’s aims with violence, compared to a much more subtle experience of thoughtfulness and change in Susan.
I agree with other reviewers who feel they would benefit from a second reading. Having different expectations this time should mean that I’m able to see more.
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LibraryThing member bibliobeck
After reading the synopsis, I couldn't wait to read this book, but what a letdown. It's clear that plenty of people have enjoyed this book, but frankly I couldn't wait to finish it. The thriller within a book was a good idea and the 1.5 stars I've awarded are for that part of the book which at
Quote to illustrate: "It was important to recognize the importance of things, for he knew now that everything important was important, nothing was more important than importance"
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least kept me vaguely entertained. As for the interludes, they droned on and on with words being rehashed over again. I found the style completely clunky; wierd grammar, incomplete sentences, repetition and lack of punctuation was driving me mad by the end. There is obviously some underlying message about feminism within the text, but quite frankly it was far too clever for me and couldn't hold my attention.Quote to illustrate: "It was important to recognize the importance of things, for he knew now that everything important was important, nothing was more important than importance"
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LibraryThing member Spoo
I've read this book twice in the last ten years and its story is as fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday. A brilliant book with alot of twists. Simply unforgettable.
LibraryThing member saitchy
Brilliant, a masterpiece.
Susan receives a note out of the blue from ger ex-husband. He has written a novel and would like her, as his fiercest critic to read it and send her comments. We then get to read it along with her and the whole novel grips like a vice.
I always snort at the idea of a novel
Republished for some reason 7 years after the author died, having been nneglected, this is actually a must read!
Susan receives a note out of the blue from ger ex-husband. He has written a novel and would like her, as his fiercest critic to read it and send her comments. We then get to read it along with her and the whole novel grips like a vice.
I always snort at the idea of a novel
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within a novel on the basis that if the internal novel was any good then it would have been a novel in its own right, the novel within is usually poor making the whole novel hardly worth readimg. In this case the author gets round this by writing an absolutely brilliant internal novel!Republished for some reason 7 years after the author died, having been nneglected, this is actually a must read!
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LibraryThing member nicx27
I was looking forward to reading this book, in effect two stories, but I felt it was ultimately a letdown. Susan Morrow is sent a manuscript by her ex-husband Edward, who she hasn't seen or heard from for years. We read it along with her, and the story of Tony Hastings is quite interesting in
I liked the idea of me, the reader, reading Edward's manuscript as Susan does, but I was expecting much more from the book overall. It's billed as a thriller and I felt there was going to be some big link between Susan's story and the manuscript, but if there was then I think I must have missed it. It felt as though the book petered out at the end, just when I was expecting a big surprise.
I think this is a fair read, and I enjoyed it for the most part, but it would be better if the reader didn't approach it expecting more than it can deliver.
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parts, and did pull me along as I read it. We also learn more about Susan's life, her second marriage, and her current feelings about it, which didn't interest me as much. I liked the idea of me, the reader, reading Edward's manuscript as Susan does, but I was expecting much more from the book overall. It's billed as a thriller and I felt there was going to be some big link between Susan's story and the manuscript, but if there was then I think I must have missed it. It felt as though the book petered out at the end, just when I was expecting a big surprise.
I think this is a fair read, and I enjoyed it for the most part, but it would be better if the reader didn't approach it expecting more than it can deliver.
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LibraryThing member alexrichman
Hailed as a forgotten classic, but I don't see it. The novel-within-a-novel is a pretty decent grisly thriller, but the overarching narrative of matriarchal inertia is too difficult for me to relate to; at least I assume that's the case, given the rave reviews the book has earned.
LibraryThing member MargaretChapple
At first, I was totally captivated by this novel. The whole premise is fascinating and the initial situation extremely tense. It was Susan's attempts to make sense of Edward's manuscript that I found less convincing.
LibraryThing member hazelk
This was a recent online book group read and i wrote this:-
I had got on pretty well with this novel until I started to lose patience with the narrative within the narrative and Edward’s creation, the character Tony. I persevered with the book and finished it today.
Like the character Susan I’m
I appreciated that the author (via the character Susan) was interested in the idea of a reader’s ongoing response to a work of fiction, how we get or don’t get involved in characters and scenarios, how our real lives impact on our responses because the mundane everyday world interrupts our immersion in the fictional world and our personal stories as readers affect our responses to fictional characters. I found this interesting.
I could also see how the author used different styles of writing for the two narratives – the more straightforward style that you would find in thrillers, detective stories etc for Edward’s book and the more clotted type of syntax you find in modern literature when a character’s internal thoughts and memories are worked through. Again, I found this quite interesting.
Overall though it didn’t quite work. Perhaps there needs to be just one character you could empathise with, care about or even just detest. I suppose this is isn’t easy when the author is depicting all the contradictions and shades of grey in everyday life.
On the whole I’m glad I ordered the book – something different and that good old stand-by ‘thought-provoking’.
I had got on pretty well with this novel until I started to lose patience with the narrative within the narrative and Edward’s creation, the character Tony. I persevered with the book and finished it today.
Like the character Susan I’m
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working on my responses. I appreciated that the author (via the character Susan) was interested in the idea of a reader’s ongoing response to a work of fiction, how we get or don’t get involved in characters and scenarios, how our real lives impact on our responses because the mundane everyday world interrupts our immersion in the fictional world and our personal stories as readers affect our responses to fictional characters. I found this interesting.
I could also see how the author used different styles of writing for the two narratives – the more straightforward style that you would find in thrillers, detective stories etc for Edward’s book and the more clotted type of syntax you find in modern literature when a character’s internal thoughts and memories are worked through. Again, I found this quite interesting.
Overall though it didn’t quite work. Perhaps there needs to be just one character you could empathise with, care about or even just detest. I suppose this is isn’t easy when the author is depicting all the contradictions and shades of grey in everyday life.
On the whole I’m glad I ordered the book – something different and that good old stand-by ‘thought-provoking’.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
This is a re-release of a book that reviewed well but didn't have a large readership, the author has since passed away but the publishers think so highly of this book that they have given it a second chance. I have to admit that it really held my interest, it is a book within a book construct, but
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the foreboding tension of the story is fantastic. The last third of the book was not as good as what came before but it has stuck in my mind. That is always the sign to me of a successful book. Show Less
LibraryThing member SulfurDog
What a travail! The novel within the novel, "Nocturnal Animals" which takes up about 90% of this book is written in the style of Jim Thompson where the characters having no moral compass appear to have undergone extensive lobotomies having little similarities to any humankind that I've ever run
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into. I found it impossible to care or identify with anyone inside or outside of the internal novel. If we were told that the entire story took on a planet other than Earth or perhaps in some other dimension this would make for more of a satisfying ending than the one we are presented with. Show Less
LibraryThing member Melanielgarrett
Knowingly disturbing and deliberately gratuitous. This is not an easy ready by any means. But it is undeniably clever, and it's for this reason I gave it 4 stars. It's a novel within a novel, while at the same time being an essay on what it is to write, and to read. No shortage of references to
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literary theory here, for those that like their close reading to have been provided by the author. For me, Paul Auster's Oracle Night is an infinitely more subtle readable novel/essay which is a joy to read, rather than something you feel you ought to get through because you can see how smart it is, if this makes sense. If I was rating this simply on reading pleasure, I'd give it 2 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member hubblegal
This book is a story within a story and is the basis of the new movie “Nocturnal Animals” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams. Susan, divorced from Edward and now married to Arnold, receives a letter from Edward, whom she hasn’t heard from in 20 years. He’s written a book and wants her
I wanted to read this book before seeing the movie but the only edition I could get from the library was the audio version. I haven’t listened to an audio book in a very long time but think I could get very used to being able to do other things, like cook dinner or work on a jigsaw puzzle, while someone is reading to me – nice! I found this to be thoroughly addictive and stayed up late into the night wanting to hear just one more chapter.
The book smoothly moves back and forth between Edward’s novel and what’s happening to Susan as she reads this book. Susan begins to re-live her past with Edward. She begins to wonder what type of man Edward has become and whether this book and Edward’s request for her to read it is his means of sending her some type of a message about their marriage. Is he calling her to account for not trusting his ability to become an author? The book started to drag a bit for me towards the end and Susan at times could be irritating but the ultimate endings of both stories was pitch perfect. This is a literary work so don’t get it just for the thriller part. It’s the type of literary work that will have different meaning to different readers and would be a great choice for discussion in a book club as it leaves a lot of questions in the reader’s mind. I’ve actually seen this marketed as the new “Gone Girl” even though it was written in 1993. This book is much more profound than “Gone Girl” will ever be.
A unique and inventive story about the power of the written word, the responsibility of authors to their readers, revenge, grief, marriage and trust. The movie has become a must see for me but I’m not sure if a movie version of this book will fly since it’s the author’s writing ability that shines more so than the story. Though I’ve started another book, I can’t stop thinking about this one and know I will never forget it. Sad that the author is no longer with us and won’t know of the revival his book has had.
Highly recommended.
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opinion. His book is “Nocturnal Animals”, a very suspenseful thriller whose main character, Tony Hastings, is driving his wife and daughter to their summer home in Maine when they run into some seriously scary problems. I wanted to read this book before seeing the movie but the only edition I could get from the library was the audio version. I haven’t listened to an audio book in a very long time but think I could get very used to being able to do other things, like cook dinner or work on a jigsaw puzzle, while someone is reading to me – nice! I found this to be thoroughly addictive and stayed up late into the night wanting to hear just one more chapter.
The book smoothly moves back and forth between Edward’s novel and what’s happening to Susan as she reads this book. Susan begins to re-live her past with Edward. She begins to wonder what type of man Edward has become and whether this book and Edward’s request for her to read it is his means of sending her some type of a message about their marriage. Is he calling her to account for not trusting his ability to become an author? The book started to drag a bit for me towards the end and Susan at times could be irritating but the ultimate endings of both stories was pitch perfect. This is a literary work so don’t get it just for the thriller part. It’s the type of literary work that will have different meaning to different readers and would be a great choice for discussion in a book club as it leaves a lot of questions in the reader’s mind. I’ve actually seen this marketed as the new “Gone Girl” even though it was written in 1993. This book is much more profound than “Gone Girl” will ever be.
A unique and inventive story about the power of the written word, the responsibility of authors to their readers, revenge, grief, marriage and trust. The movie has become a must see for me but I’m not sure if a movie version of this book will fly since it’s the author’s writing ability that shines more so than the story. Though I’ve started another book, I can’t stop thinking about this one and know I will never forget it. Sad that the author is no longer with us and won’t know of the revival his book has had.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member techeditor
TONY AND SUSAN is a story within a story. At least it’s supposed to be. Susan is reading a book written by her ex-husband.
Most of TONY AND SUSAN is that book, the story within the story. It’s about Tony, a college professor, whose wife and child are abducted and murdered. The story starts out
Worse than the story within the story is the story, Susan reading. I cannot figure out why these parts of TONY AND SUSAN even exist. I call it “the story,” but is it really if it makes me wonder, so what? Again, I don’t know why it’s there. And again, the end is a letdown.
Most of TONY AND SUSAN is that book, the story within the story. It’s about Tony, a college professor, whose wife and child are abducted and murdered. The story starts out
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pretty good, although Tony is quite a wimp. But then the story degenerates; it gets tedious and dull. Worse is the end of the story within the story. It is quite a letdown.Worse than the story within the story is the story, Susan reading. I cannot figure out why these parts of TONY AND SUSAN even exist. I call it “the story,” but is it really if it makes me wonder, so what? Again, I don’t know why it’s there. And again, the end is a letdown.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
Incredibly haunting and stark. This book took me well out of my comfort zone. Very well written with a plot that scares. Often I wanted to put this book down, but I was compelled to finish.
When Tony, his wife Susan and daughter Helen take their usual vacation drive to their Maine home, they decide
While the car in front slows to a slow pace, the one in back is right on their bumper. Closing in on the family, to no avail he attempts to pass as the front car speeds up and follows in the left lane blocking his progress.
A fatal mistake is made as they are pulled over because of a flat tire. From there the book grows darker and more dangerous. As they attackers fix the tire and a few get into Tony's car as they force him to leave his daughter and wife and make him drive in their car. As he watches the car with his family fade into the distance, the terror continues.
When Tony, his wife Susan and daughter Helen take their usual vacation drive to their Maine home, they decide
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to be adventurous and drive to Maine throughout the long, dark night. All is well as they attempt to fulfill their decision, until along a back road Pennsylvania, off the interstate area, they are forced into a dangerous car game.While the car in front slows to a slow pace, the one in back is right on their bumper. Closing in on the family, to no avail he attempts to pass as the front car speeds up and follows in the left lane blocking his progress.
A fatal mistake is made as they are pulled over because of a flat tire. From there the book grows darker and more dangerous. As they attackers fix the tire and a few get into Tony's car as they force him to leave his daughter and wife and make him drive in their car. As he watches the car with his family fade into the distance, the terror continues.
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LibraryThing member flying_monkeys
Nocturnal Animals is one of my favorite movies of 2016. I didn't realize until this year (duh!) that it's based on Wright's 1993 book. So I finally read the book and loved it (almost) as much as the movie adaptation.
Started to rate this one 4 stars, but I'm following my heart and I can definitely
Started to rate this one 4 stars, but I'm following my heart and I can definitely
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see myself re-reading the book in a couple years, so 5 stars it is. Show Less
LibraryThing member beentsy
That was not a pleasurable experience. At all.