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Product Description
Product Description
Set in Alaska and Suffolk, this story involves a brother (Ivo) and sister (Isabel), each of whom has a sexual relationship with Tim. When Ivo is left for dead on a remote Arctic island, the way seems clear for Tim and Isabel. But nothing quite plays itself out in the way one might expect.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To those who need an adrenaline rush before page 10, this is not the book for you. My first assessment of "No Night Is Too Long" was that it was monstrously slow starting. Upon reflection, I don't think it could be structured any other way. The story's effect hangs on our thorough understanding of Timothy's point of view contrasted with how others see him. Tim is atrociously self-absorbed yet almost without personal vanity. He is a recreational liar, but never to himself. It takes a good and sufficient time to develop this young man, and if he were not developed, the story would have no meaning. The reader must see beyond Tim's startling beauty. Given the visuality of Ms. Rendell/Vine's prose, it takes a long lead-in for readers to see Tim plain and unadorned. Think of young Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. I have always been convinced those two would stop traffic whether famous or not, and not one person would be aware (or care) if they were sensitive, caring, or struggling. They would be thinking: "Wow!" This is Tim Cornish.
When Tim meets Dr. Ivo Steadman, (who else but Rupert Everett?) he is certain he must be in love because he has never felt this way before. He has had a few dilatory girl friends that didn't stir him, only occasionally "scratched an itch." So what was this? The shortness of breath? The obsessing for Ivo's presence? This was something startlingly new and different, and it must be love! Tim found it also had a very short duration. As soon as Ivo dropped his Rochester/Heathcliff airs of arrogance and disdain, Tim was quickly out of love and into contempt. Alas, poor Ivo who made more and more frantic and futile efforts to entice and ensnare the errant Tim. I couldn't help but sympathize with Tim at this point. Have you ever had anyone (be it a discarded lover or your great-aunt Sally) shower you with attentions and pleadings of which you wanted no part? It makes monsters of us all. The stage is set.
Ivo more or less forces the reluctant and sulky Tim on a cruise of the shores of Alaska. Tim meets the beauteous Isabel in Juneau while Ivo is off lecturing. And now the story quickly picks up a headlong pace. Ms. Rendell/Vine has us hooked good and proper, and we are in for some mind-boggling surprises. The key to this book is obsession, not romance. The author deftly ties up the loose ribbons and presents us with a nicely wrapped finished package.
Though I don't believe this book is as powerful as "A Dark Adapted Eye," it does demonstrate the author's great versatility and goes way beyond "well developed characterization." You can't help thinking, "there, if not by the grace of God, go I" I would recommend it for when you are in a pondering mood.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I usually stick to one particular genre but after last years new years resolution to read a wider range I encountered this brilliant book, and what a great thing too.
The book honestly is the best book I've ever read. It is fantastically written and is a credit to Ruth Rendell (Barbara Vine).
The story is about Tim and his love life as he ventures from his love for a university student to a professor and finds his sexuality. However, the true love is across the Atlantic living in canada.
The book honestly is the best book I've ever read. It is fantastically written and is a credit to Ruth Rendell (Barbara Vine).
The story is about Tim and his love life as he ventures from his love for a university student to a professor and finds his sexuality. However, the true love is across the Atlantic living in canada.
The story is gripping and I didn't want to put it down. I can not describe how fantastic this book was. I'd recommend it to anyone. The only bad point to the book is that I knew I'd reach the end.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a previous reviewer pointed out, this is a novel of obsessive love rather than an out-and-out thriller. The mood of the story, however, draws the reader in until the claustrophobia is almost real. The fear of knowing that someone is dead and yet seeing them everywhere, the sinister letters that keep arriving day by day - is Tim going insane or is it merely the past catching up with him?
This is a truly compelling novel that hooks the reader, making it impossible to put the book down.
This is a truly compelling novel that hooks the reader, making it impossible to put the book down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
wonderful book
I have just re-read this book after many years. The quality of the writing is outstanding and the clever blend of character and place is handled superbly by Vine. Read more
Published 10 months ago by gambist
No Book is So Slow?
A good story, but far too slow, and the main characters are so self obsessed that they quickly become boring.
Published 11 months ago by Troy Beal
In the lee of the chimney of Chechin
This novel has a twist in the tale that is well worth the wait - true the wait is nearly book-length before we get to the point of revelation. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Eileen Shaw
Vine homophobic as usual
A deeply homophobic book which centres on a wildly improbable plot of identical brother and sister twins. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2008 by Peter Scott-presland
Least enjoyable of all Ruth Rendall's books
Having enjoyed pretty much all of Barbara Vine's other books, this was a big disappointment - too 'tricksy' and self-consciously clever and I really didn't care what happened to... Read more
Published on 15 July 2008 by crumb
Ruth Rendell prejudiced? Absurd!
I felt I had to repudiate the ridiculous assertions made in the previous review. Ruth Rendell has been an active gay rights campaigner for decades; she frequently deals with issues... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2007 by M. D. Smart
Beautiful but prejudiced
As a gay man I was reluctant to read this book, despite being a deeply appreciative reader of Rendell/Vine for years. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2007 by Rufusred
Some Books Are Too Short
After reading the very first chapter, I knew i was going to love this book. I was mesmersised by the first chapter, and already felt so involved in the story that it was... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2004 by RachelWalker
Excellent. I didn't realise how much I could enjoy RR>
A very good read. I bought this book in the only book shop I could find in Northern Tuscany that sells books in English (as opposed to Italian). A very good read. Read more
Published on 26 July 1999
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