10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rendell 'alters' the 'bridal path'!, March 27, 2001
This review is from: The Bridesmaid (Paperback)
Ruth Rendell's books always pack a punch. Or several. And in "The Bridesmaid," Rendell stays true to form, basically. While most Rendell fans recognize her as the author of the fascinating Inspector Wexford series, she also writes other thrillers. She also writes even chillier thrillers under the name of Barbara Vine. Regardless of which nom de plume she uses, it is difficult to find a writer who can explore--even reveal--the psychological pathways with the effectiveness of she demonstrates.
Philip Wardman, destined it seems, meets the mysterious Senta Pelham, an actress, most childlike, at Philip's sister's wedding. Theirs is a relationship that is made in you-know-where. Senta's affections do not come without a price. To "prove" their love, she insists that each of them must kill someone. Not your everyday pre-nuptial agreement, to be sure, and certainly not a characteristic of the genteel English society circles they live in!
Certainly, "The Bridesmaid" is a disturbing work and Rendell sees to it that the reader is not comfortable with the situation. The author's craft and technique are clearly demonstrated here and reverberate with a force that is both chilling and sensational. Queasy too. An uncomfortable--yet powerful--read. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best, by the best, September 29, 2002
One of Rendell's greatest gifts is her ability to show what happens when a normal person crosses paths with a sociopath. The hero has no idea what he's met up with because he's too decent to think that way; he and his girlfriend talk past each other in the most chilling way. It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck.
I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer who says the ending is dull and disappointing; it's the most dramatic and horrifying ending I've ever read. The last three pages are a tour de force of writing; it just doesn't get any better. "They [the police] would come for this, though. They'd come for this." Gives me chills every time!
Do yourself a favor--read it!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Relentlessly gripping, March 1, 2004
Philip Wardman is a young man working for Roseberry Lawn Interiors. He is of quiet, sedate character and he hates violence of any kind. At his sister's wedding, Philip meets her bridesmaid Senta Pelham and falls in love with her. She has a white complexion and silver hair thus resembling Flora, the stone statue in Philip?s mother?s garden. Philip's love for Senta grows passionate until one day she claims that they both have to kill somebody to seal their love for each other. And so begins an awkward journey through sick and weak minds, through an emotional, erotic and irrational relationship. Mrs Rendell's novel is appalling, shocking, convincing and relentlessly gripping. Mr William Gaminara offers a respectable performance in this audio book and I enjoyed very much listening to his reading.
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