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Illusions
When Stanleigh Dunn, an award-winning author of children's books notable for her complexly intricate illusations, meets Daniel Goddard on a flight to London, they are each (although unknown to the other) in the grip of a terrible loss. Their chance encounter develops into an ambivalent but sexually charged relationship that is colored by their grief.
While she is both seductive and dismissing, he becomes progressively more obsessed until, finally, what began as the attempt of two wounded people to find solace in each other's company culminates in a shocking episode of kidnapping and sexual abuse whose powerful evocation will hold the reader in a thrall of horror and fascination.
In the mode of The Collector, this is an in-depth exploration of the victim/captor relationship that is sympathetic to both parties, allowing us to see the lengths to which sorrow can sometimes take us.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In an intense, suspenseful tale reminiscent of John Fowles's The Collector, Allen (Time/Steps portrays a coincidental encounter that culminates in a woman's abduction, rape and terrorization. After her young stepson dies, renowned children's book illustrator Stanleigh Dunn is prostrated by grief. She decides to visit England, where she plans to see her father, from whom she has been estranged. On the flight from New York, Leigh strikes up a conversation with Daniel Godard, a dapper businessman who is as attracted to her as she is to him. Although miffed when Daniel arrives at her hotel, Leigh nevertheless succumbs to his sexual advances, hoping to temporarily obliterate her sorrow. Back in New York, she tentatively emerges from bereavement, but Daniel, still haunted by his wife's gruesome suicide and gripped by an encompassing, unhealthy desire for Leigh, begins to stalk her. Daniel's self-control wanes; he kidnaps Leigh, imprisons her in his apartment and repeatedly molests her until remorse brings him to his senses. Allen builds the tension to an almost unbearable pitch in her riveting novel, which penetratingly explores the fragile boundaries between sanity and madness, lust and obsession.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Stanleigh Dunn and Daniel Godard are both fleeing from personal grief when their mutual physical attraction brings them together. While Leigh views their meeting as transitory, Daniel decides he wants a lasting relationship and pursues Leigh despite her negative response. What begins as an innocent meeting between two people trying to comfort one another turns into a nightmare of terror and abuse as Daniel's sexual obsession for Leigh overcomes him. The sub-plots add the troubled but fascinating family relationships for both main characters. An emotional and disturbing novel with well-developed characters; and unusual in that the reader can empathize with both victim and victimizer. Recommended for larger fiction collections. Leslie A. Bleil, Western Michigan Univ. Lib., Kalamazoo
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
While she is both seductive and dismissing, he becomes progressively more obsessed until, finally, what began as the attempt of two wounded people to find solace in each other's company culminates in a shocking episode of kidnapping and sexual abuse whose powerful evocation will hold the reader in a thrall of horror and fascination.
In the mode of The Collector, this is an in-depth exploration of the victim/captor relationship that is sympathetic to both parties, allowing us to see the lengths to which sorrow can sometimes take us.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In an intense, suspenseful tale reminiscent of John Fowles's The Collector, Allen (Time/Steps portrays a coincidental encounter that culminates in a woman's abduction, rape and terrorization. After her young stepson dies, renowned children's book illustrator Stanleigh Dunn is prostrated by grief. She decides to visit England, where she plans to see her father, from whom she has been estranged. On the flight from New York, Leigh strikes up a conversation with Daniel Godard, a dapper businessman who is as attracted to her as she is to him. Although miffed when Daniel arrives at her hotel, Leigh nevertheless succumbs to his sexual advances, hoping to temporarily obliterate her sorrow. Back in New York, she tentatively emerges from bereavement, but Daniel, still haunted by his wife's gruesome suicide and gripped by an encompassing, unhealthy desire for Leigh, begins to stalk her. Daniel's self-control wanes; he kidnaps Leigh, imprisons her in his apartment and repeatedly molests her until remorse brings him to his senses. Allen builds the tension to an almost unbearable pitch in her riveting novel, which penetratingly explores the fragile boundaries between sanity and madness, lust and obsession.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Stanleigh Dunn and Daniel Godard are both fleeing from personal grief when their mutual physical attraction brings them together. While Leigh views their meeting as transitory, Daniel decides he wants a lasting relationship and pursues Leigh despite her negative response. What begins as an innocent meeting between two people trying to comfort one another turns into a nightmare of terror and abuse as Daniel's sexual obsession for Leigh overcomes him. The sub-plots add the troubled but fascinating family relationships for both main characters. An emotional and disturbing novel with well-developed characters; and unusual in that the reader can empathize with both victim and victimizer. Recommended for larger fiction collections. Leslie A. Bleil, Western Michigan Univ. Lib., Kalamazoo
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- GenresFiction
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1988
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Vale Allen
60 books40 followersCharlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer and in cabaret revues until she emigrated to the United States in 1966.
Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.
Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.
One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."
A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.
Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.
Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.
One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."
A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 7, 2021
2.5 stars
January 1, 2012
Grief holds hand with Guilt in this novel as Leigh and Daniel try to move on with their lives after tragedy strikes each of them. I wanted to like this book more than I did but I couldn't get the feeling either character was genuine. As often happens the supporting characters stole the show. I have read several of Ms. Allen's novels and would not choose this as a favorite.
December 29, 2009
I did not like this one at all and stopped reading it.
March 27, 2022
A book I randomly picked from the library shelf. It has a dark plot. Leigh and Daniel are both in the depths of grief. One lost a stepson. One lost a wife. As fate has it they are seated next to each other on the plane. Neither wants to talk but eventually a word or two is uttered and just to avoid more conversation they begin to tell each other lies. They never intend to see each other again, but Daniel keeps thinking about her and starts to investigate and tries to find her. Based on lies and deceit their relationship spirals downward. It's a testament on the human condition and how grief can make you insane. Eventually you recognize the depths of your mental illness and start to heal. I can't stop thinking about this book. It was good. Messes with your mind a little.
June 14, 2022
An oldie but a goodie. I love Charlotte Vale Allen's stories and writing.
January 26, 2011
Don't bother. I didn't finish reading this book because it's so dull and that's saying a lot because I almost NEVER give up on a book!
June 26, 2013
It was a good twisty story, and I loved the ending. Makes you want to be careful who you start up random conversations with.
October 30, 2012
not that interesting for me.........
July 10, 2013
Twisted weird just not something that many would like ... Slow in some sections...
January 23, 2014
Definitely not her best book - very disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews