Larry Mann, a lonely old lodger in a north London boarding house, is delighted when Amanda moves in downstairs. Desperate for companionship, he brings her gifts, fixes her drinks--makes her want to like him. Amanda is too kind-hearted to hurt Larry's feelings. And when Amanda's lover begins to spend long and passionate weekends with her, Larry becomes troubled and afraid--afraid of losing her, afraid of his own dark past. Martin's Press.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Ruth Rendell raved about this perfectly tuned debut thriller when it was first published in 1995, and it's not hard to see why: the story of a friendly neighborhood psychotic who takes a dangerous fancy to a new tenant in his London boarding house is very much in Rendell's grand tradition. Penelope Evans's ear for the self-deception of the emotionally deprived is so good that you'll find yourself cringing from the first page. Her protagonist Larry Mann tells us about his growing passion for quiet little Amanda Tyson, and as the story progresses we learn to what creepy lengths he is prepared to go to keep her near him.
From Publishers Weekly
With chilling first-person narration, Evans inhabits the mind of a psychopath, balancing her case study and a tensely comic undercurrent with a precision quite remarkable in a first novel. Larry Mann, 72, appears harmless. He rents an apartment in a small London townhouse where he's lived alone for 12 years, since his wife left, he tells us. When lonely college student Amanda "Mandy" Tyson moves into the building, Larry immediately decides that she is "different" from other women and barrages her with gifts and overtures of friendship (including a clock radio and elaborate surprise meals). Mandy's efforts at distancing herself from Larry are thwarted not only by her good manners but also because she identifies with him: she realizes that they're both lonely and in need of company. But after she starts bringing home her lover (a married man), Larry's obsession turns actively threatening. Throughout, Evans evokes layers of menace in Larry's casual, chatty voice: Larry often refers to himself in the third person; his days are filled with what he calls "the waiting and the listening"?his constant monitoring of Mandy's every move; he misinterprets events (and himself) so that they conform with his fantasies. The grim finale doesn't surprise; but Evans's intense, unrelenting focus on Larry's frightening and frighteningly funny way of thinking ("Honestly, if I didn't know any better, I'd think she was trying to avoid me") makes this taut literary thriller nearly impossible to put down. (Jan).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intense and chilling to the core!,
This review is from: The Last Girl (Mass Market Paperback)
Ever since 70-year-old Larry Mann set eyes on 23-year-old Amanda, the new tenant at a boarding house in London, he was convinced that she would be his new best friend. He is lonely and convinced that Amanda is his soulmate. Shy and depressed, Amanda has no idea how to turn his desperate attempts at kindness -- buying gifts, making tea parties, becoming her confidant -- down, especially when Francis, her lover, begins to spend weekends with her. Larry's intentions are good -- or are they? Is there something sinister behind his persuasiveness with Amanda? This extremely shocking, chilling, haunting and original thriller will keep you turning the pages until its disturbing conclusion. I marvel at the unique narration; Larry's voice drips with contempt and obsession. Penelope Evans has written an incredible thriller that should be devoured within days. Read it!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
He'd do anything for a friend...,
By Cami (Southern Indiana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Last Girl (Mass Market Paperback)
Larry Mann is a lonely old lodger in England. His only neighbors are his grouchy landlord downstairs, Ethel, and her dying, war-vet husband. Ethel has rented the remaining empty rooms to Indian girls for the past decade. Larry hasn't attempted to befriend these girls, as they are culturally different and tend to keep to themselves and never ask of ol' Larry's assistance. Yet, one day Larry is shocked to come home and find a fellow English girl by the name of Amanda. She's extrememly timid and not strikingly attractive, but Larry finds himself drawn to this mysterious young lady. Larry is convinced that the world has been cruel to Mandy, just as it has been to himself. He's certain they must be kindred spirits. Soon, Larry is going all out to accomadate his Mandy. He's buying her snacks, cigarettes, and even buys a bird so that Mandy can play with it when she comes up to visit. Mandy's a busy college student, but Larry manipulates her so as to be worked into her daily routine. Larry will do ANYTHING for a friend. Read this book to see what kind of mind lurks behind the wrinkled forehead of ol' Larry. The chilling prose of this book delves deep into a mind that not only revulses the reader but also encourages sympathy. Penelope Evans' words will chill you as you read this classic thriller! Buy it today!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Knock-Out of a Read,
This review is from: The Last Girl (Mass Market Paperback)
This book was a wonderful work of psychological suspense; it showed how a seemingly innocent interest can turn into obsession and from obsession into--well--sheer terror. Evans shows marvelous insight into the character of Larry, man who is both pathetic and monstrous, yet always human, disturbingly so. A brilliant job!
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