1970s London. A 25 year old man becomes obsessed with a 9 year old girl, the daughter of his Bohemian friends who live by the river in Putney. I very nearly put this book down after the first few pages thinking I didn’t want to read any more. But I was told to read this book by a friend, Sue Lee, the grandmother of one my children’s friends. She said she couldn’t put it down and she’s usually spot on with her book recommendations. So I kept going. And I’m really glad I did. Not only is it really well written, but it deals with a deeply disturbing obsession brilliantly. After the 1st chapter the book begins going back and forth in time with events of the past and present being told through the eyes of both man and child (later 50 year old woman). It’s thought provoking and gripping – an emotional rollercoaster too. Well worth reading. And as you can see from the photo below…I was so engrossed on my commute to work that I didn’t notice someone sneakily taking a photo of me reading it….(Why would you do that?! I hope whoever took it spent the £100 well…)
Putney by Sofka Zinovieff
This post just says everything about why one should read. To walk in others shoes. And you choose good novels to read.
And no, your privacy should be respected. I always feel uncomfortable with photos like these.
This is a gritty read. I found it uncomfortable as a mother of teenage girls to keep going. But just as you say, it is thought provoking and as the story develops I was desperate to know what was going to happen. A great recommendation, thank you. I would never have read it without a nudge!
Superb! Embraces ambiguity and consent. Your sympathies change continually throughout the novel. Feels quality, though simple prose. Genuinely shocking, but you need to keep reading. Definitely leaves you in turmoil.