Chapter 1 Summary

The Comfort of Strangers is the story of Mary and Colin, an English couple in Venice who, during a monotonous visit to Venice chance to meet Robert and Caroline who offer their hospitality. But Robert's brutal machismo, as well as Caroline's submission and her severe injuries always color this hospitality with uneasiness.

The novel begins uneventfully. In fact, its uneventful nature is its overriding characteristic. The couple, Mary and Colin, has fallen into a depressing routine that barely includes speaking to each other. They have been together for seven years and, though they love each other, their love has dulled so that, to each, the company of the other is subtly oppressive.

Each evening, they wake from a nap and silently prepare for dinner. One night their usual schedule is broken up by some apologetic sex, and, by the time they are done...