The Comfort of Strangers

by Ian McEwan
The Comfort of Strangers cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Psychological Thriller
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8577
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780099754916
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 1997-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Colin and Maria are meticulously preparing for their holiday, as if someone important is waiting for them. Their intimacy is disrupted when they meet a man who shares a disturbing story, pulling them into a fantasy of violence and obsession. The couple finds themselves entangled in a web of deceit and danger, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. As the story unfolds, the couple's relationship is tested, and they must confront their own desires and fears. The novel explores themes of identity, power, and the darker side of human nature, all set against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic holiday.

Reviews
746 Books · 2022-11-03
unsettling 3.50

The novella is brief but unsettling, following a couple on holiday who encounter a mysterious and sinister group. The story is tense and explores themes of trust and deception.

In this review, the reader delves into the unsettling atmosphere of McEwan's novella. The story follows Colin and Mary, a couple holidaying in an unnamed city, who meet a group of strangers whose intentions are far from benign. The reviewer highlights the tension and unease that permeates the narrative, making it a gripping read. They appreciate McEwan's ability to create a sense of dread and suspense, even in the most mundane situations. The themes of trust and deception are explored in a way that keeps the reader on edge, making it a compelling and thought-provoking story.

Quick quotes

    McEwan follows the blandly named Colin and Mary, an unmarried couple who are holidaying in an unnamed city not unlike Venice.

    The story is brief but unsettling, with a sense of dread that builds steadily.

    The themes of trust and deception are explored in a way that keeps the reader on edge.

Entropy Book · 2011-11-21
beautiful 4.00

The book is beautifully written and expressive, exploring the idea of being comfortable among strangers. The story is haunting and thought-provoking.

This reviewer from Entropy Book praises McEwan's writing, describing it as beautiful and expressive. The story revolves around the idea of being comfortable among strangers, which the reviewer finds both haunting and thought-provoking. They appreciate the way McEwan delves into the psyche of his characters, making the story both intriguing and unsettling. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling and the themes explored to be deeply engaging, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    I think it's beautiful and very expressive. To be comfortable among strangers – it almost sounds like an oxymoron, and still: Colin and Mary ...

    The story is haunting and thought-provoking, delving into the psyche of its characters.

    The narrative is compelling and the themes explored are deeply engaging.

The New York Times · 1981-06-15
dark 3.00

The novel delivers on its promise of unease, with a couple's holiday turning into a nightmare. The story is dark and unsettling, with a sense of inevitability.

This review from The New York Times sets the tone for McEwan's novel, which lives up to its promise of delivering discomfort. The story follows a couple on a European holiday that takes a sinister turn when they encounter a group of strangers. The reviewer notes that the novel is dark and unsettling, with a sense of inevitability that makes it difficult to put down. They highlight McEwan's skill in creating a narrative that is both compelling and disturbing, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    One expects the worst in McEwan's novel about a couple on a European holiday, and the worst is what one gets.

    The story is dark and unsettling, with a sense of inevitability that makes it difficult to put down.

    McEwan's skill in creating a narrative that is both compelling and disturbing is evident throughout.

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