A Dark-adapted Eye (Penguin Audiobooks)

Faith Severn nee Longley is our narrator, and I believe this is so because she is related in one way or another to all the novel's primary characters, and is of an age, and a position in her family, where her point of view is more objective than most could possibly be, under the circumstances. "A Dark Adapted Eye" is, above all, the riveting story of a middle class English family during the first half of the 20th century. Thirty years after the fact, Faith, with the assistance of an interested journalist, attempt to piece together the events leading up to a tragic murder which would have profound effects on the entire clan.

The Longley family appeared to be a relatively normal and united group of people. Like many families, they had their temporary dysfunctional moments, as well as happier gatherings and reunions. Faith, along with her parents, John and Vranni Longley lived just outside of London. John's twin sister, Vera Hillyard, was 32 years-old in 1939, and had been caring for their sister Eden, younger by fifteen years, since the girl was 14. The Longley parents were both dead. Vera had lived with her husband, a military man, in India, and she come home when her father became ill. Her young son, Francis, had been farmed off to boarding school at age 7. Although they are sisters, Vera acted the mother to Eden and obviously adored her. Faith joined her aunts, and Francis, at their country home, Laurel Cottage, Great Sindon, East Anglia, for holidays. Other relatives, who played an important role in their lives, lived within a relatively close distance. Overall, they appeared to be a group of relatively contented human beings, related by blood and marriage. Yet even Faith, as a young girl, realized that many family stories, and other personal news and events of both little or great importance, were never discussed at home, nor with her aunts. They were a closed-mouthed, secretive and repressed bunch of folks. The tragedy and drama that was to eventually unfold began during this time, right before WWII.

Ms. Vine is a marvel at creating her characters and developing them. Throughout the skillful narrative, it is remarkable to watch individuals change and grow; to observe how they interact with each other and impact each other's lives. The author builds tension from the beginning of her intricate story, and it increases in intensity, almost non-stop, until the book's conclusion. A sinister air permeates parts of the novel when certain characters are front and center, and then lightens-up considerably when others appear on the scene. This deep psychological study, and the manipulative behavior described, are outstanding. It is obvious why the author won The 1986 Edgar Award for her achievements here. Truly exceptional fiction!
JANA


A definitive masterpiece!   April 25, 2003
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is a superb novel with a genuinely compulsive plot. The story of Vera Hillyard and her sister Eden is brilliantly unfolded through the reminiscing of their neice Faith, remembering the twists and turns that lead up to a shocking murder. The identity of the murderer and the victim is revealed in the first chapter, yet I was left shocked and stunned by the final pages. The author completely recreates the fine line between love and hate and the dangers and compulsions of obsessive love. England during World War II is the nostalgic yet oppressive setting with stifling middle class family life providing the key atmosphere of the novel. By the end of the story I found myself truly believing in Vera, Eden and Faith as real characters with feelings, motives and the desparate tie of family relationships. Nothing is ever clear cut and simple and the terrible price of love is paid at the end of the story. I missed the TV adaptation which is at present unavailable in the UK and eagerly await a change in this situation. This is an incredible story with a real twist in the tale and the true mystery is never solved (except in the head of the reader). I thoroughly recommend it.


Chilling   February 22, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Set in 1940s Britain (when respectibility was the backbone of society and to have an illegitimate child resulted in the mother becoming a social outcast), 'A Dark-Adapted Eye' is a story of dark family secrets and bitter sibling rivalry, resulting in a tragic murder which, in those days, was punishable by hanging. As in Barbara Vine's other novels, the purpose of 'A Dark-Adapted Eye' is not to shock by descriptions of blood and gore, but to chill the reader to the bone, as past secrets are slowly revealed.
This is the fourth Barbara Vine novel I have read and, like the others, it instilled in me a compulsion to keep on reading until I had devoured every last word. Superb!