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A woman investigates the shocking secrets that brought down her once proud family in this suspenseful Edgar Award winner from a New York Times–bestselling author. Faith Severn has never understood why the willful matriarch of her high-society family, aunt Vera Hillyard, snapped and murdered her own beloved sister. But long after Vera is condemned to hang, a journalist's startling discoveries allow Faith to perceive her family's story in a new light. Set in post–World War II Britain, A Dark-Adapted Eye is both a gripping mystery and a harrowing psychological portrait of a complex woman at the head of a troubled family. Called "a rich, beautifully crafted novel" by P. D. James, Time magazine has described its author as "the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world."… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member markatread
In the first 10 pages Barbara Vine takes the "who" out of the whodunit. She tells you who committed the murder but then slowly tells you "why" Vera Hillyard committed murder thirty years ago. The narrator is Faith Severn who is Vera's niece. Faith begins to look back on what happened to her family
I read the paperback version of this book and at the end Ruth Rendell (Barbara Vine) has written a letter to the reader and tells what it was like for her to grow up with 2 Christian names. She was known as Ruth by her father's family and as Barbara by her mother's family. She describes "Ruth" as being colder, tougher, and more analytical; "Barbara" as being more feminine, "it is Barbara that sews". It was Ruth that had always written the books she wrote and as a writer she had always wanted Barbara to have her own voice as well. And then with A Dark-Adapted Eye, Barbara had finally written a book herself with her own voice. And one of the things that stands out when you read this book is how "feminine" the book is. She writes about makeup, sewing, cooking, fashion, and children. World War II is seen through feminine eyes that had to deal with the deprivations on the home front. The women in the book change over the 30 years, while only Francis seems to change of the men - at the end of the book they are still what they were 30 years ago. But this feminine viewpoint is the strength of the book. It is looking at a woman that committed murder and the change we see her go through over time is the "why" of what she did when she murdered someone. Vera and Eden and Faith all change, not suddenly or inconsistently, but change as things around them change. When the book is done, we understand what happened to these 3 women. We understand why Vera did what she did.
The writer leaves us with a mystery, an unanswered question really, at the end of the story. It feels a little like an artificial mystery. The narrator has helped the reader believe that the answer is the same one that Aunt Helen believes is the answer, though near the very end we learn that Jamie believes something else. The narrator suddenly prevaricates and leaves the question unanswered. And while this feels strained to some degree, I know 4 other people who have read this book and all of them have strong opinions about the answer to that question. It is a testament to the author that she has written a story about characters that you feel you know. You feel attached to the the characters and feel the answer to the question is important.
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with a dark-adapted eye as a result of having not looked at, or talked about, or let anyone else around her talk about what happened to all of them when Vera murdered someone and was on the front pages of every newspaper 30 years ago. Faith's father removed all pictures of his sister after it happened. One of Vera's sons moves to another country and assumes another name while Vera's older son simply changes his last name to avoid having people identify them as Vera's children. The whole family has not only tried to forget what happened, they have kept their eyes closed about it. Now a writer has contacted them all and wants to write a book about Vera and has asked for their help and input. Most of the family is unwilling but Faith begins to look back at and remember her aunt and slowly tells us the story.I read the paperback version of this book and at the end Ruth Rendell (Barbara Vine) has written a letter to the reader and tells what it was like for her to grow up with 2 Christian names. She was known as Ruth by her father's family and as Barbara by her mother's family. She describes "Ruth" as being colder, tougher, and more analytical; "Barbara" as being more feminine, "it is Barbara that sews". It was Ruth that had always written the books she wrote and as a writer she had always wanted Barbara to have her own voice as well. And then with A Dark-Adapted Eye, Barbara had finally written a book herself with her own voice. And one of the things that stands out when you read this book is how "feminine" the book is. She writes about makeup, sewing, cooking, fashion, and children. World War II is seen through feminine eyes that had to deal with the deprivations on the home front. The women in the book change over the 30 years, while only Francis seems to change of the men - at the end of the book they are still what they were 30 years ago. But this feminine viewpoint is the strength of the book. It is looking at a woman that committed murder and the change we see her go through over time is the "why" of what she did when she murdered someone. Vera and Eden and Faith all change, not suddenly or inconsistently, but change as things around them change. When the book is done, we understand what happened to these 3 women. We understand why Vera did what she did.
The writer leaves us with a mystery, an unanswered question really, at the end of the story. It feels a little like an artificial mystery. The narrator has helped the reader believe that the answer is the same one that Aunt Helen believes is the answer, though near the very end we learn that Jamie believes something else. The narrator suddenly prevaricates and leaves the question unanswered. And while this feels strained to some degree, I know 4 other people who have read this book and all of them have strong opinions about the answer to that question. It is a testament to the author that she has written a story about characters that you feel you know. You feel attached to the the characters and feel the answer to the question is important.
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LibraryThing member smik
This is one of those books that clearly show how Ruth Rendell becomes a different writer when she uses the Barbara Vine pseudonym, at least in the early days. I think later Rendell novels actually have Vine overtones; the police procedurals have more psychological explorations, more description of
So why did Rendell write as Barbara Vine? I believe she was just too prolific as a writer, writing at least two novels every 3 years, perhaps leading buyers to believe that she was writing pot boilers. Quite simply the extra pseudonym gave her more publication opportunities, and many of her readers did not realise the two writers were the same person.
A DARK ADAPTED EYE explores family relationships. During the bombing of London in 1940 Faith, not yet a teenager, is sent to stay in the country with her father's half-sisters Vera and Eden. In the following years Faith periodically spends extended periods of time with Vera. The setting of England in the 1940s and early 1950s helps us reflect on the impact of events like war on society's values as well as their impacts on individuals.
The novel explores family jealousies that eventually lead to murder. Faith gets an opportunity to look back over events, and to consider what happened with an older eye, when a journalist contacts family members because he wants to write a book about Vera. What is interesting about how Vine has handled this plot is that even in the last pages of the novel there are a number of questions that are not finally resolved, where the reader is required to make their own judgement.
An excellent read and a good Barbara Vine to start with if you've never read one.
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why characters have acted as they did. A DARK ADAPTED EYE was the first of the novels written as Barbara Vine and was very different to the Wexford novels, although it showed many similarities in style to the stand alone novels she had already published.So why did Rendell write as Barbara Vine? I believe she was just too prolific as a writer, writing at least two novels every 3 years, perhaps leading buyers to believe that she was writing pot boilers. Quite simply the extra pseudonym gave her more publication opportunities, and many of her readers did not realise the two writers were the same person.
A DARK ADAPTED EYE explores family relationships. During the bombing of London in 1940 Faith, not yet a teenager, is sent to stay in the country with her father's half-sisters Vera and Eden. In the following years Faith periodically spends extended periods of time with Vera. The setting of England in the 1940s and early 1950s helps us reflect on the impact of events like war on society's values as well as their impacts on individuals.
The novel explores family jealousies that eventually lead to murder. Faith gets an opportunity to look back over events, and to consider what happened with an older eye, when a journalist contacts family members because he wants to write a book about Vera. What is interesting about how Vine has handled this plot is that even in the last pages of the novel there are a number of questions that are not finally resolved, where the reader is required to make their own judgement.
An excellent read and a good Barbara Vine to start with if you've never read one.
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LibraryThing member zibilee
When a journalist contacts Faith Severn in the interest of writing a book about the execution of her aunt Vera Hillyard, Faith slowly reveals and unravels the story of the Hillyard family complete in it's complicities and claustrophobias. After her parents' death, Vera leaves her young son and
This was a fascinating and, eventually, quite devastating book. The author has a way of laying out the story and prose in a quietly thorough way, keeping the more disquieting elements couched within the normal everyday attributes of a wartime family. Knowing that a murder had occurred but not knowing the circumstances surrounding it, nor even who the victim was, was a particularly interesting way to tell this story. The technique had me reading with trepidation to discover where the cracks would appear, and how the murder would eventually take place. The story has an aura of foreboding attached to it, it was ominous from it's skeleton to it's details, haunting in a wonderful way. Because Vera was not a particularly pshycopathic person, the murder behind her execution seemed all the more interesting. Yes, she was restrictive and cold, and it was very clear that she was also repressed and secretive, at times she could be embarrassingly hysterical, but her character also seemed to be very controlled and conscious of propriety and modulated. Reading along I became convinced that this murder was an act of desperation and madness, instead of an act of calculated cruelty.
In fact, all the characters in this book were exquisitely portrayed. From the obnoxious and perverse Francis to the furtive and beautiful Eden and the reluctant and inquisitive Faith, each character was finely detailed and and exceptionally rendered. It felt like I knew these people, knew how they would react, where their buttons were and could see what would push them. There was a tremendous amount of exposition given over to these characters, a lot of time spent on the mundane and everyday, but it was far from boring. In fact it was a very illuminating and clever way to get the reader invested in the drama of the storyline, and the eventual destruction of a family.
The story dealt with many sensitive issues, and without giving away the mysteries of the story, it would be hard to touch on and identify them all, but the one that stuck out was the repression and emotional constraint of those in England during that time. It was evident in Vera's entire character, in her sister Eden's choice of lifestyle, and eventually in Faith's reticence to tell the story of her aunt. Repression ran like a thick vein down this haunting and dark story.
Another thing that I liked about this story were the atmospheric touches. There was much discussion of war time rationing and the procurement of luxurys items, such as food and cosmetics, during the lean times of war. I thought this was an interesting touch that gave the story believability and flavor. It seemed that the author accounted for all the variables in this time period and those minute touches really amplified the credibility of the story.
The conclusion of the story was also handled brilliantly. It skipped the exposition and definition and instead recounted and laid bare all the facts for the reader to deduce the motives and culpability of this murder. By doing this, it refrained from passing judgment on the killer and let the reader see that there was more to the story than just the black and white of the slaying. As in some real-life murders, the details were murky, the facts sometimes cloudy. One could almost discount Vera's madness and responsibility, could see from the facts alone that she was vindicated. Almost. And in the end, that is what this story came down to. The confusion and reaction of a somewhat normal woman, spurred into to a hideous act that forever changed the landscape of her family's life.
If you can't tell by now, I thought this book was superb. It had an intensity and control that I truly appreciated. I loved the meandering way that the story was fleshed out, and felt that in this way the suspense was built into an almost unbearable measure. I had heard so many good things about this book, and was so excited to read it. In no way did it disappoint. Though it is written by a mystery writer, this book is more of a psychological suspense story. A very intelligent and thought provoking read. Strongly recommended.
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military husband in the care of others and undertakes the role of mother to her younger sister, Eden. Vera and Eden's relationship is extremely close and secretive, often excluding all other parties. Living in virtual isolation during World War II, Vera makes Eden her top priority and constant concern, and becomes a profoundly obsessive and controlling woman. It's here that Faith spends many vacations and holidays, enduring Vera's casual cruelty and myriad insecurities while secretly idolizing the young and beautiful Eden. As time moves on and Faith grows older, she witnesses multiple changes in Vera and Eden's relationship, the return of Vera's son, Francis (a merciless young man), and Eden's eventual flight from the nest. Even so, things are not what they seem in the Hillyard house, and the family secrets will eventually spark an explosive, painful conclusion that leaves the reader sorting through the myriad clues to find a definitive answer to this intensely satisfying psychological thriller. Is Vera's madness really self-induced, or does it come from a more sinister direction? What are the circumstances behind her execution, and what part does her family truly play?This was a fascinating and, eventually, quite devastating book. The author has a way of laying out the story and prose in a quietly thorough way, keeping the more disquieting elements couched within the normal everyday attributes of a wartime family. Knowing that a murder had occurred but not knowing the circumstances surrounding it, nor even who the victim was, was a particularly interesting way to tell this story. The technique had me reading with trepidation to discover where the cracks would appear, and how the murder would eventually take place. The story has an aura of foreboding attached to it, it was ominous from it's skeleton to it's details, haunting in a wonderful way. Because Vera was not a particularly pshycopathic person, the murder behind her execution seemed all the more interesting. Yes, she was restrictive and cold, and it was very clear that she was also repressed and secretive, at times she could be embarrassingly hysterical, but her character also seemed to be very controlled and conscious of propriety and modulated. Reading along I became convinced that this murder was an act of desperation and madness, instead of an act of calculated cruelty.
In fact, all the characters in this book were exquisitely portrayed. From the obnoxious and perverse Francis to the furtive and beautiful Eden and the reluctant and inquisitive Faith, each character was finely detailed and and exceptionally rendered. It felt like I knew these people, knew how they would react, where their buttons were and could see what would push them. There was a tremendous amount of exposition given over to these characters, a lot of time spent on the mundane and everyday, but it was far from boring. In fact it was a very illuminating and clever way to get the reader invested in the drama of the storyline, and the eventual destruction of a family.
The story dealt with many sensitive issues, and without giving away the mysteries of the story, it would be hard to touch on and identify them all, but the one that stuck out was the repression and emotional constraint of those in England during that time. It was evident in Vera's entire character, in her sister Eden's choice of lifestyle, and eventually in Faith's reticence to tell the story of her aunt. Repression ran like a thick vein down this haunting and dark story.
Another thing that I liked about this story were the atmospheric touches. There was much discussion of war time rationing and the procurement of luxurys items, such as food and cosmetics, during the lean times of war. I thought this was an interesting touch that gave the story believability and flavor. It seemed that the author accounted for all the variables in this time period and those minute touches really amplified the credibility of the story.
The conclusion of the story was also handled brilliantly. It skipped the exposition and definition and instead recounted and laid bare all the facts for the reader to deduce the motives and culpability of this murder. By doing this, it refrained from passing judgment on the killer and let the reader see that there was more to the story than just the black and white of the slaying. As in some real-life murders, the details were murky, the facts sometimes cloudy. One could almost discount Vera's madness and responsibility, could see from the facts alone that she was vindicated. Almost. And in the end, that is what this story came down to. The confusion and reaction of a somewhat normal woman, spurred into to a hideous act that forever changed the landscape of her family's life.
If you can't tell by now, I thought this book was superb. It had an intensity and control that I truly appreciated. I loved the meandering way that the story was fleshed out, and felt that in this way the suspense was built into an almost unbearable measure. I had heard so many good things about this book, and was so excited to read it. In no way did it disappoint. Though it is written by a mystery writer, this book is more of a psychological suspense story. A very intelligent and thought provoking read. Strongly recommended.
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LibraryThing member bookenthusiast100
One of the finest mysteries I ever read.
LibraryThing member lsh63
A Dark Adapted Eye is another goodie by Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine. I was reminded of Asta's Book when I was reading this which I loved. This book was the winner of the 1986 Edgar Award.
Faith Severn is contacted by a journalist who wants to dig into the past of Faith's aunt, Vera Hillyard who was
There are a great many characters introduced, which was a little maddening for me at times. I realize now that this was necessary to set the generational theme for the story. The murder victim is revealed at the end, but teasingly we do not find out who Faith's cousin Jamie's parents are. which is central to the story. Good stuff! I highly recommend this one.
Faith Severn is contacted by a journalist who wants to dig into the past of Faith's aunt, Vera Hillyard who was
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hung for murder thirty years ago. Early on, we know that Vera committed murder, but we do not know who was killed or why.There are a great many characters introduced, which was a little maddening for me at times. I realize now that this was necessary to set the generational theme for the story. The murder victim is revealed at the end, but teasingly we do not find out who Faith's cousin Jamie's parents are. which is central to the story. Good stuff! I highly recommend this one.
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LibraryThing member Espey1
The story is told in modern-day England from the viewpoint of Faith Severn, who has grown up with a dark cloud of murder looming over her family, the details of which are shrouded in mystery. Her Aunt Vera had been hanged in the 50's for the stabbing murder of her younger sister Eden. With the help
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of a journalist who was researching Vera's notorious life story for a book, Faith unravels the mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member pak6th
From the opening line to the last line, this is a fascinating tale which draws you in and keeps you reading as one after another delicious morsel of truth is dropped. Every time you think you know who did it and is this case, what they did, Vine drops another clue. And the ramifications of that act
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spread throughout the family, changing lives forever. Show Less
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
This is a densely written, atmospheric read, OK if you don't mind not actually knowing what's going on for a fair chunk of the time. I kept wondering whether I was missing something, though it all made sense once I got to the end.
I liked the style of writing, very much in keeping with the time
I liked the style of writing, very much in keeping with the time
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period in which it was set. The upper-crust snobbishness of the characters came through very well Show Less
LibraryThing member Marie-Clare
Took a while to get into, far too many characters introduced at the start. Hard to put down once I got into it. Good tale of family secrets.
LibraryThing member karav
Best Barbara Vine, suspense to the end
LibraryThing member CatieN
Faith Severn is approached by a journalist for information about her Aunt Vera, who was convicted and hanged 30 years ago for murder. What follows are Faith's and other family members' memories of Vera and her family and neighbors and details of the years leading up to the murder. I guessed the who
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and some of the why partway through the book, but Vine/Rendell is such an amazing writer and I was so thoroughly taken in by the characters and there were still a few twists and turns that it wasn't an issue. She also left enough loose threads hanging at the end to keep me thinking about the book long after I had turned the last page. Show Less
LibraryThing member jasonlf
This came in a little below my very high expectations. It is well constructed, well told, but never has you completely thrilled or gives you the shiver of everything coming together perfectly like Ruth Rendell's Judgment in Stone gives.
A Dark-Adapted Eye begins with the narrator remembering the
A Dark-Adapted Eye begins with the narrator remembering the
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execution by hanging of her aunt for the murder of her other aunt. It then traces her attempts, many years later and to some degree prompted by a writer's inquiry, of the events leading up to it. This unravels layer after layer of an increasingly twisted family history that ultimately leaves one core mystery unexplained. Along the way, it is an interesting description of changing English mores. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Before we get to the spoilers below, I want to say that this is one of the finest mysteries / psychological thrillers I have ever read. Now, onto the spoilers –
This review reflects my one and only read of this back in 1993 when I was 25. I will have to read it again to see if I have the same
I don’t understand the meaning of the title but I’m glad I read this finally. The familial relationships were hard to get straight at first, but after a time it fell together.
Vine really shocked me. I didn’t expect Francis and Chad of having a relationship at all, never mind a sexual one. I also didn’t expect the reason for Eden wanting Jamie. I still don’t know which of the sister bore him. Were autopsies really that lax or is it a device of the author to shroud the truth? The world may never know.
The pieces of manuscript in between Faith’s account are a good device. It lets the characters speak for themselves, which they obviously couldn’t have done from the other point of view.
She really kept me guessing until the end as to whom Vera killed. I always suspected it would be Eden, though in the beginning I couldn’t guess at a motive. The Jamie issue was a spanner in the works. She effectively made me hate Vera in the beginning, with her piety and narrow-mindedness and then made me pity her in the end. There is so much left in the cracks that was never brought to light; such as how Tony Pearman got on after his wife’s murder and what was really in Jamie’s mind growing up. What was he told? Who told him? Why was he born? Who wanted him, in the end? I also would have liked to know more about Faith. She was raised in such strict civility that was abandoned for more middle-of-the-road morals. This is a mystery to end all mysteries – in the end, there are still secrets.
This review reflects my one and only read of this back in 1993 when I was 25. I will have to read it again to see if I have the same
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reactions now that I’ve reached the ripe, old age of 40.I don’t understand the meaning of the title but I’m glad I read this finally. The familial relationships were hard to get straight at first, but after a time it fell together.
Vine really shocked me. I didn’t expect Francis and Chad of having a relationship at all, never mind a sexual one. I also didn’t expect the reason for Eden wanting Jamie. I still don’t know which of the sister bore him. Were autopsies really that lax or is it a device of the author to shroud the truth? The world may never know.
The pieces of manuscript in between Faith’s account are a good device. It lets the characters speak for themselves, which they obviously couldn’t have done from the other point of view.
She really kept me guessing until the end as to whom Vera killed. I always suspected it would be Eden, though in the beginning I couldn’t guess at a motive. The Jamie issue was a spanner in the works. She effectively made me hate Vera in the beginning, with her piety and narrow-mindedness and then made me pity her in the end. There is so much left in the cracks that was never brought to light; such as how Tony Pearman got on after his wife’s murder and what was really in Jamie’s mind growing up. What was he told? Who told him? Why was he born? Who wanted him, in the end? I also would have liked to know more about Faith. She was raised in such strict civility that was abandoned for more middle-of-the-road morals. This is a mystery to end all mysteries – in the end, there are still secrets.
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LibraryThing member auntieknickers
I didn't expect to like this book, although I knew it would be well-written from reading Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford series. (Rendell writes some of her psychological suspense stand-alones as Barbara Vine, or did at one time; lately she seems to be using one name for everything.) However, I
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think it will probably be on my 10 Best List for older books for 2009. For one thing, it had two aspects that always draw me in -- it's set mostly in the past (written in the 1980s with the narrator looking back at events from the 1940s and 50s), and it deals extensively with family history. And what a dysfunctional family it is! Faith, the narrator, at the beginning of the book is being asked by a true-crime author for help in writing a book about her aunt, who was hanged for the murder of her sister (Faith's aunt also) in the early 50s. Faith experienced the events of the book first as a child and then as a university student; now, in late middle age, she examines old papers and photographs, talks with the few people still living who were involved and will speak with her, and finally reads the trial transcript. The personalities of the sisters and other family members are well delineated and form an ominous undertone in the story. Issues of social class are quite important in the plot. Rendell/Vine also emphasizes the effects a murder has on the family and community of the victim and perpetrator (in this case the same). Highly recommended and well deserving of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, which it won in 1987. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mr.Philip.Swan
If I were asked to recommend a book that would give someone a good idea of what life was like for many British people in the years during and after World War Two, I would give them A DARK-ADAPTED EYE. If I were asked to recommend a novel about old sins having long shadows, and family secrets, and
This was the first novel by Ruth Rendell under her nom-de-plume, Barbara Vine - it signaled a departure from the other two kinds of novels she was known for at the time, her Chief Inspector Wexfords (police procedurals) and novels of psychological suspense such as A JUDGMENT IN STONE and THE TREE OF HANDS. It was also the first novel I read by her under either name. That was over 20 years ago, and my admiration for it only increases with each re-reading (which occur every 3 or 4 years or so).
Ruth Rendell is my favorite writer, period - well, except for Barbara Vine, that is.
6/18/12: Not feeling quite swept away by either of the two books I have going, I picked up A DARK-ADAPTED EYE again to re-read a chapter or two just to 'scout the territory,' so to speak. And before I knew it I'd read three, then four chapters. At such a point I guess I have to say that I'm 'officially' re-reading the book! It gets better with each re-reading, as do many of The Vines.
6/20: This one still gets five stars from me. Although most of the ratings for this book are in the three-to-five-star range, I'm mystified by the ones who rated it lower than that and found it boring. The word that best describes this book is 'masterful' and it very much sets the template for several of the Vines that have followed.
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the destructive power of love, I would give them A DARK-ADAPTED EYE. If I were asked to recommend a brilliantly conceived and executed mystery, or even just an exceptional "novel of psychological suspense," I would recommend A DARK-ADAPTED EYE.This was the first novel by Ruth Rendell under her nom-de-plume, Barbara Vine - it signaled a departure from the other two kinds of novels she was known for at the time, her Chief Inspector Wexfords (police procedurals) and novels of psychological suspense such as A JUDGMENT IN STONE and THE TREE OF HANDS. It was also the first novel I read by her under either name. That was over 20 years ago, and my admiration for it only increases with each re-reading (which occur every 3 or 4 years or so).
Ruth Rendell is my favorite writer, period - well, except for Barbara Vine, that is.
6/18/12: Not feeling quite swept away by either of the two books I have going, I picked up A DARK-ADAPTED EYE again to re-read a chapter or two just to 'scout the territory,' so to speak. And before I knew it I'd read three, then four chapters. At such a point I guess I have to say that I'm 'officially' re-reading the book! It gets better with each re-reading, as do many of The Vines.
6/20: This one still gets five stars from me. Although most of the ratings for this book are in the three-to-five-star range, I'm mystified by the ones who rated it lower than that and found it boring. The word that best describes this book is 'masterful' and it very much sets the template for several of the Vines that have followed.
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LibraryThing member Ant.Harrison
If anyone can seamlessly blend past and present into a gripping and believable narrative, it's Barbara Vine. Like all the best Vine work, here she's like a mesmeratist - the slow burn of the story grips like a vice from the first chapter. The depth of characterisation, the skilful plotting, and the
© Koplowitz 2012
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believable setting all make this a masterful story. If you've never read a Vine/Rendell book before, then here's the place to start. © Koplowitz 2012
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LibraryThing member nosajeel
This came in a little below my very high expectations. It is well constructed, well told, but never has you completely thrilled or gives you the shiver of everything coming together perfectly like Ruth Rendell's Judgment in Stone gives.
A Dark-Adapted Eye begins with the narrator remembering the
A Dark-Adapted Eye begins with the narrator remembering the
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execution by hanging of her aunt for the murder of her other aunt. It then traces her attempts, many years later and to some degree prompted by a writer's inquiry, of the events leading up to it. This unravels layer after layer of an increasingly twisted family history that ultimately leaves one core mystery unexplained. Along the way, it is an interesting description of changing English mores. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kelley.Logan
I enjoy the darker Vine pseudonym's books. And I remembered running right out to get another after reading this, but alas it has been too long ago to say more than I do remember this to be a creepy read.
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Deceptively transparent tale of a family caught having to deal with an aunt who would murder. We know from page one that she is the perpetrator, but the crux of the book focuses on the motive. And motive always makes for an inordinate number of potential facets, subplots and digressions. A subtle
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psychological mystery from an ostensibly neutral narrator. Show Less
LibraryThing member judithrs
A Dark-Adapted Eye. Ruth Rendell writing as Barbara Vines. 1986. I guess she wrote under a different name because she knew this wasn’t up to her usual standards. Not that the writing isn’t good. It just dragged on and on, and I was forever getting the characters confused. Faith Severn receives
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a letter from an author who wants to write a book about her Aunt Vera who murdered her sister, Eden. So Faith contacts various members of her family and recounts the events that led to the murder. There are several shocking and creepy revelations, but ultimately I didn’t care why Vera killed Faith. I usually like to meander through Rendell’s books so this one was a disappointment. But I bet die-hard Rendell fans loved this book. I prefer P. D. James. Show Less
LibraryThing member laytonwoman3rd
This was very good, though not a fast read for me. Dense, packed with detail about a very dysfunctional family and the many tangled webs woven by its members, but with essential facts about the central mystery parceled out in a sometimes maddeningly piecemeal fashion. We begin by learning that the
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narrator's sister, Vera, has been hanged for murder, a startling enough fact by itself. Then the family history begins to be revealed, with characters mentioned by name as though in conversation with someone who knows them all and understands their relationships to one another. The reader, however, not being in the know, must make multiple deductions as the story unfolds, not the least of which is the identity of Vera's murder victim. I began to enjoy the book about one-third of the way in, once I got the hang of how the story was being told and immersed myself in it. It is deceptively "short"-looking in that thin hardcover format so many mystery book club books were once published in. If I hadn't drawn the wrong conclusion from that, expecting to whip through it in a sitting or two, I'd have enjoyed it more right from the start. Intelligent, crafty, and not quite predictable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Matke
This one really didn’t work coffee me. It’s well-written, as one expects from Tendell/Vine, but the plot was just a drag.
Told from the point of view of the niece of the murderer, the story loses suspense because we know fhe criminal’s identity from the first page. In fact, the paving drags as
Not really recommended.
Told from the point of view of the niece of the murderer, the story loses suspense because we know fhe criminal’s identity from the first page. In fact, the paving drags as
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the story of jealousy and madness between two sisters unfolds ever so slowly.Not really recommended.
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LibraryThing member Elizabeth_Foster
Suspense was built up well through out by using multiple sources of information - used flashbacks really well. Francis was my favourite character - the creepy, evil son of Vera.
LibraryThing member jalfredb
Too much drama. I have enjoyed reading Rendell/Vine writing before, but this one I had to shelve for awhile before finishing.
LibraryThing member majorbabs
My second-favorite of Vine's books, the first being Anna's Book. Mystery! on PBS did a great job of presenting it with Helena Bonham-Carter in the lead. Good twist at the end.
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — Novel — 1987)
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1986)
This Mystery is Amazing! (#9 — 1988)