The Comfort of Strangers Summary
Ian McEwan

The Comfort of Strangers Summary

The Comfort of Strangers is the story of Mary and Colin, an English couple in Venice who, during a monotonous visit to Venice, meet Robert and Caroline, who offer their hospitality. Robert's brutal machismo, as well as Caroline's submission and her severe injuries always color this hospitality with uneasiness. Caroline and Robert's final bizarre act is to drug Mary and give Colin the choice to allow Robert to do anything to him and save Mary's life or let her die. Colin chooses to save Mary, and, when she awakes, he is dead.

Set in a city resembling present-day Venice, a middle-aged English couple spends a dull, repetitive holiday. Mary and Colin have been together for seven years and their relationship, like their vacation, has lost all interest and excitement. All that is to change, however, when, during a nighttime walk, the couple becomes lost. Wandering a deserted street, a seemingly... View more of the The Comfort of Strangers Summary