The psychology in The Mistress's Revenge by Tamar Cohen is well executed, as she takes you deep into the mind of a woman, Sally, whose whole sense of identity is wrapped up in who she would like to be, rather than who she is.
Sally has been having a passionate affair with Clive for five years. Now he has dumped her to return to his wife and family, leaving Sally devastated.
Sarcasm is used as a weapon by both characters in the destructive game of 'look what you made me do' that follows.
Sally's voice is written in the first person.It drips with venomous sarcasm tinged with a wry sense of humour, as she talks to Clive through a journal.
This was a great technique to deepen the sense of Sally's obsession with Clive. He is constantly on her mind like a scab that won't heal because she compulsively keeps picking at it.
Every decision Sally makes in her life, good or bad, is linked back to Clive. This enables Sally to justify each stage of the game as it is played out, while absolving her of all responsibility for the choices she makes.
This was a great technique to deepen the sense of Sally's obsession with Clive. He is constantly on her mind like a scab that won't heal because she compulsively keeps picking at it.
Every decision Sally makes in her life, good or bad, is linked back to Clive. This enables Sally to justify each stage of the game as it is played out, while absolving her of all responsibility for the choices she makes.
Sally has no sense of identity. She is the kind of character that will adapt like a chameleon to the person that she most wants to be with.
As Clive currently inhabits the world that Sally would like to be in, she adopts his erudite language and sense of superiority in her own voice.
When Clive continues to reject her, Sally's frustrated rage pulsates through every page as she begins to stalk him and his family.
Meanwhile, Clive's low-self esteem is hidden under the guise of appearing superior to others.
He is charming, erudite, and the master of misdirection and irresponsibility. His technique is to say one thing and mean another, in order to manipulate the outcome to satisfy his needs at the time.
The more he does this, the more Sally questions herself, leading her to behave increasingly in an irrational manner. Nothing, not even her children, is more important to Sally than winning Clive's love.
He is charming, erudite, and the master of misdirection and irresponsibility. His technique is to say one thing and mean another, in order to manipulate the outcome to satisfy his needs at the time.
The more he does this, the more Sally questions herself, leading her to behave increasingly in an irrational manner. Nothing, not even her children, is more important to Sally than winning Clive's love.
At first Sally evokes laughter and sympathy in the reader, but as the story progresses this rapidly turns to frustration, anger and a growing sense of horrified disbelief.
Helen, Sally's psychiatrist, is the voice of sanity throughout, a mirror that invites Sally to see herself as she really is before it's too late.
Helen, Sally's psychiatrist, is the voice of sanity throughout, a mirror that invites Sally to see herself as she really is before it's too late.
The Mistress's Revenge by Tamar Cohen will be challenging for some readers, as both Sally and Clive are deeply dislikeable as the novel progresses, but I think that's the point of it.
This novel confronts the unthinkable, the darkness that lies at the heart of a game of control that simmers beneath the surface of this passionate affair.
Being in Sally's mind is like being dragged down into dark pit where insecurity and rage writhe like snakes, watching and waiting for the right moment to strike. It truly is a disturbing portrayal of a woman who has lost control.
This novel confronts the unthinkable, the darkness that lies at the heart of a game of control that simmers beneath the surface of this passionate affair.
Being in Sally's mind is like being dragged down into dark pit where insecurity and rage writhe like snakes, watching and waiting for the right moment to strike. It truly is a disturbing portrayal of a woman who has lost control.
Published by Transworld Books
IBSN 978-0-552-77754-4
Score 4/5
Below is the live tweet #TAIR (thoughts as I read) session that I did on Monday night as I read The Mistress's Revenge by Tamar Cohen.
For the uninitiated followers #TAIR stands for tweet my
Thoughts As I Read the book, preferably without giving away the plot ;)
Hashtag for The Mistress’s Revenge is #TMR ;)
@Pamreader I enjoyed that one, hope you like it too.@MsTamarCohen
@LinsHealy thanks. I'm liking it so far... @mstamarcohen
'....big advocate of honesty...' reckon that should have been the first
clue of the exact opposite #TAIR #TMR
Finished The Mistress's Revenge. Great plot twists towards the end.
Should be required reading for anyone contemplating an affair!#TAIR
There's a reading group guide in the back of The Mistress's Revenge by @mstamarcohen *makesnotes*
@Pamreader @mstamarcohen Oo just put that on my kindle :)
@publicfeet The psychology is great, I hope you
enjoy it :)@mstamarcohen
@Pamreader Thanks for the TAIR last night, Pam.
You make it sound so intriguing I might order it myself! @publicfeet @LinsHealy #TMR#TAIR
Thanks for reading,
Pam
Pam
Oh this sounds great. A bit of deranged malice is just what I want in this hideous weather!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment and I hope you enjoy the book!
Pam
I enjoyed this one and have recently read the author's second which was also a great read. It was interesting and fun to see your TAIR comments on this one.
ReplyDeleteLindsay