The Collector

The psychology behind why someone does something seen outside the bounds of human decency is often never known.  Today’s favorite book, The Collector by John Fowles, is an intricate view (from a few perspectives) of a collector of butterflies, which later turns into a collector of women.  This thriller is a precursor to a Stephen King-type book (like Misery), yet the main character in this book has no inclination to kill his “hostage.”   The main character, Frederick Clegg, is a town clerk who wins money unexpectedly which allows him to focus on his obsession of butterflies… and then Miranda, a beautiful, young art student.  Clegg traps her and brings her to live with him in his secluded home in the rural regions of England.  The book is told from the point of view of Clegg, then Miranda, and then back to Clegg.  During Miranda’s captivity, she tries to shake her fear by understanding why Clegg would hold her hostage.  She attempts seduction and even trying to kill him, to no avail.  Every time the reader thinks she will gain freedom, guess what happens?  The ending is as good as the story.  Horrific, but true to the story.  Excellent psychological portrayal of a man who has never been in a relationship with meaning, or at least not having the capacity to do so.  Thanks Dylan for the suggestion.  And to think it is on my son’s 11^th grade read list this semester.