"The Comfort of Strangers" is a novel written by British author Ian McEwan. Published in 1981, it is one of McEwan's earlier works and is known for its exploration of dark themes and psychological tension. The novel follows a British couple, Colin and Mary, who are on vacation in Venice. While there, they meet a mysterious local man named Robert and his enigmatic wife, Caroline. The couple is drawn into the strange and unsettling world of Robert and Caroline, becoming entangled in their lives in unexpected ways. As the story progresses, Colin and Mary find themselves increasingly dependent on Robert and Caroline, even as they become more wary of their hosts' intentions. The novel explores themes of power dynamics, obsession, and the complexities of human relationships. "The Comfort of Strangers" is often praised for its atmospheric prose and its ability to create a sense of unease and tension throughout the narrative. It has been adapted into a film of the same name, directed by Paul Schrader, in 1990.
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