I read this over twenty years ago, twice in fact, though I'm not sure I'd read it now. I remember thinking it was quite a sexy book, well written and rather gloomy. I agree with both previous reviews, it's very well written but then, all of a sudden, at the end he does WHAT? Why'd he do that? I suppose the whole point was about a supremely controlled man suddenly losing it completely.I'd recommend it if you like to think more about the characters' motives than the plot. I probably wouldn't read it now because I object to the idea of some middle aged lecturer swarming all over a young student. Five stars to balance out the fact that one reviewer is in twice, his second 2 and my five average out at 3.5 which I think is about right.