Tony and Susan

Susan is married to Arnold, but she used to be married to Edward. Edward had dreams of becoming a writer. One day, Susan unexpectedly receives a package from her first husband containing the manuscript of a novel he has written entitled `Nocturnal Animals'. As she reads the novel, she begins to take stock of her life, notably her life with Edward and the failure of that marriage, and her life with Arnold and her fears that he is embarking on an affair with a colleague. Tony is the lead character in the novel Edward has written. As Susan reads the novel, we read along with her: `Tony and Susan' is a story within a story. Austin Wright's novel, originally published in 1993 and reissued in 2010 to critical acclaim in the UK, successfully welds its thriller component, `Nocturnal Animals', with Susan's reaction to it to form an impressive and unusual work. `Nocturnal Animals' is an engaging thriller in its own right. Tony Hastings, a mathematics professor, is driving late at night with his wife and daughter on their way to their holiday home. Their car is forced off the road by some thugs who abduct the female passengers. Susan's reading elicits various responses as she attempts to categorize the story and second guess the plot based on her knowledge of her ex-husband. But more than that, `Tony and Susan' puts the concept of a novel as a piece of media to the fore. Every reader's interpretation of fictional writing is different. The story that plays out in one's mind, the characters and the setting are visualized uniquely by each reader. Susan's dissection of `Nocturnal Animals' and the way she relates it to her own life, by way of the author's relationship with her and her reactions to the lead character's actions, give a fascinating insight into the way we relate to fiction. My only gripes, and these are quite minor given how enjoyable this novel is, are that both strands begin to pall a little towards the end of the book. I felt that there could have been a little more editing here and there. However, as a whole, this is a superbly written novel and is highly recommended.

The first 100 pages or so go as fast as any novel I have ever read. There's more horror in those pages than in the Heart of Darkness. Then things slow down and get psychologically very interesting. Then the whole book becomes a literary criticism puzzle. This book is frightening, deep, and fun. Quite an amazing feat.

I agree with the reviewer who said this book should be read not just once, but again -- and I intend to do exactly that. What amazes me about Austin Wright is how different his writing is from book to book. I love the power of his words, his story-telling skill, his characters. Wright's brain must be an amazing place.

I couldn't put it down. I found myself reading at red lights. Austin Wright has written a suspenseful thriller within a domestic tale, both equally spellbinding. This novel-within-a-novel propels you forward then makes you stop to consider the relationships between reality and imagination, reader and writer, civility and violence, husband and wife, perpetrator and victim. And when the roller coaster ride ends, you still feel its thrusts for days. Austin has marvelously crafted a multi-layered, literary experience. A+ professor!

Professor Wright has constructed a book that at once has the reader turning pages to keep up with the fast momentum and stepping back to consider why we read and what the reader's relationship is with the author. This book deserves a second reading to catch all the nuances that one may miss the first time through as you are hurtled toward the horrific climax of the book-within-a-book. I have used this book in a discussion group setting and participants voted it their favorite for that year!