First published 1982
Graham Hendrick thought he'd found perfection when he left his first wife for Ann, a vibrant actress-turned-academic. But when Graham discovers Ann's forgotten film career, he becomes fixated on excavating every detail of her pre-marriage life. What begins as curious investigation spirals into an increasingly destructive obsession. He haunts old cinemas, tracks down her mediocre film performances, and scrutinizes every trace of her previous relationships. As Graham's historical training transforms into a personal inquisition, the delicate balance of their marriage begins to crack. His compulsive need to understand—and control—Ann's history threatens to destroy the very relationship he once cherished. Love becomes an archaeological dig, with Graham unearthing fragments that were perhaps better left buried.
Genres: fiction, drama, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: obsession, unreliable-narrator
Setting: England
183 pages · Hardcover · Jonathan Cape