by Tim Parks
First published 1986
Roger finds himself trapped in a relationship that transforms affection into something darker and more dangerous. What begins as romantic attachment gradually reveals its capacity for destruction, as the very emotions meant to bind two people together become instruments of psychological warfare. Parks crafts a narrative that moves between moments of absurd comedy and genuine menace, showing how the line between devotion and obsession can blur beyond recognition. The story unfolds through scenes that are simultaneously funny and disturbing, as Roger navigates the treacherous territory where love stops being comfort and starts being control. Parks refuses to romanticize his subject matter, instead presenting a clear-eyed examination of how intimate relationships can become battlegrounds. The novel captures the peculiar horror of discovering that the person closest to you might also be the one capable of inflicting the deepest wounds. Through Roger's experience, Parks reveals the paradox at the heart of human connection: that our greatest vulnerability often lies in our deepest attachments.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: dark-romance, psychological-thriller
Hardcover · Heinemann
Content warnings: abuse, emotional-abuse, toxic-relationship