He has a magnificent narrative gift...brilliant
Independent

He has a magnificent narrative gift...brilliant
Independent

A brilliant, unusual theme... Short and spare and direct, an intelligent thriller with psychological and social overtones
Sunday Times

A brilliant, unusual theme... Short and spare and direct, an intelligent thriller with psychological and social overtones
Sunday Times

Chloe Johnson-Hill 18 January 2011

The Collector is impossible to categorise. First published in 1963, this is an enduring novel that cannot fail to compel. Fred, the main protagonist, is a lifelong collector of butterflies. Living off a lottery win, he becomes obsessed with an art student, Miranda, and he creates a prison for her where he hopes to apply his finely-honed entomology skills to this ultimate prize. The story is told first from Fred’s point of view, and then through Miranda’s diary. In coming at it from Fred’s side of the story we are given a window into the mind of a clearly insane person, who seems to justify his every move, and the result is terrifying as we find ourselves sympathising with this man. We are jolted back to reality when we are given Miranda’s viewpoint. But this novel is much more than a psychological thriller – it is also an exploration of class: Fred is socially awkward and, despite coming into money, he feels he will never be able to interact on a par with Miranda, who was born into money. A completely brilliant, thrilling and unputdownable read.

Alexa Vargas 19 October 2011

Who is keeping who prisoner? Frederick, the apparent villain of the piece, is also a kind of victim, subject to his obsessions and compulsions, but also to the author's pen. Claustrophobic and thoroughly terrifying, The Collector is one book you won't be able to forget.