The comfort of strangers

The novel follows Colin and Mary, an unmarried couple who have been together for seven years, as they spend a holiday in a city that strongly suggests Venice.

Their relationship, though deep and intimate, has become dull and repetitive.

One evening, while lost in the city's canals, they meet Robert, a forceful and enigmatic native who takes them to his bar and later to his home, where they meet his disabled wife, Caroline.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Robert and Caroline have a peculiar and sadistic relationship, which ultimately leads to a tragic and violent climax involving Colin and Mary.

The novel explores themes of human sexuality, the impact of upbringing on behavior, and the blurred lines between intimacy and violence.