The Collector

John Fowles

Dec 2012 · Sold by Little, Brown

About this ebook

Hailed as the first modern psychological thriller, The Collector is the internationally bestselling novel that catapulted John Fowles into the front rank of contemporary novelists.

This tale of obsessive love—the story of a lonely clerk who collects butterflies and of the beautiful young art student who is his ultimate quarry—remains unparalleled in its power to startle and mesmerize.

"A superb novel ... Evil has seldom been so sinister." —Time

"A bravura first novel ... As a horror story, this book is a remarkable tour de force." —New Yorker

Ratings and reviews

I enjoyed the book, although being someone as bad as myself I didn't want to hear Miranda's part. I wish this book was in similar length to the Bible (like adding on and not stretching the existing story), I think then it would replace any religious text for me. There were times I felt sorry for Miranda but ultimately a good book will lead me, and I will always come out shaped differently. In this case if I keep reading these books I'll probably be dead before 40.

This is one of the most poorly written and boring books I've ever read. It's absolutely ridiculous and no wonder why so many serial murderers find it interesting. The victim wants to be where she is. Don't make me laugh.

I came across the first page of this book on a 4Chan thread about books that hooked you on the first page. Whoever posted it more than a year ago now, wow, you were right. I ate this book up. I will never forget that haunting feeling I had at the very end of the book. I was never in my life so upset and so satisfied at the same time.

About the author

John Fowles (1926-2005) was educated at Oxford and subsequently lectured in English at universities in Greece and the UK. The success of his first novel, The Collector, published in 1963, allowed him to devote all his time to writing. His books include the internationally acclaimed and bestselling novels The Magus, The French Lieutenant's Woman, and Daniel Martin. Fowles spent the last decades of his life on the southern coast of England in the small harbor town of Lyme Regis.