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Damage
Damage
Author: Josephine Hart
"Hypnotic." — THE BOSTON GLOBE — He was a married M.P.with two grown children. On the surface, his life was what he wanted it to be. She was his son's fiancee, a shattered woman who had only known forbidden love. When they meet, their attraction is instantaneous, their obsession complete. And nothing, it seems, can tear them away from each other a...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780517107515
ISBN-10: 0517107511
Publication Date: 5/30/1993
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 4

3.6 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Random House Value Publishing
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Damage on
Helpful Score: 5
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.
kathyk avatar reviewed Damage on
Helpful Score: 1
A dark story about a man who is obsessed with his sons girlfriend.
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reviewed Damage on + 4 more book reviews
Dark and twisted. Plot twists you won't expect. An excellent read. You really get involved in the story--then are glad it's not *your life!! A+
reviewed Damage on + 12 more book reviews
(From Library Journal) 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.
reviewed Damage on + 34 more book reviews
a quick read - a gut-punching story
redpandareads avatar reviewed Damage on + 9 more book reviews
Hart is an incredibly talented author, but these characters are so miserable that I had no patience for any of them. Get it together, jerks!
APassionateReader avatar reviewed Damage on + 13 more book reviews
A smart sexy book, even better than the movie which was really hot.
reviewed Damage on + 36 more book reviews
A psychological page turner. The book was made into a movie starring Jeremy Irons and Genevive Bujold. Deeply affecting.