Appalled by John Fowles diary entry re The Collector

[Iused2BanOptimist]

I read The Collector a long time ago. It's a really creepy book and I thought at the time it was almost a manual of "How I'd do it if I did". I have just been leaving through CraigBrown's 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret left lying around at work. Apparently John Fowles was just one of many admirers, including Picasso who had fantasies about her. His dark fantasy and inspiration for the book repulse me. I wonder if it is a common fantasy? (Not necessarily with the Princess as the object of desire).

Don't look for the book if you want to find out more about John Fowles though. Just 3 pages and I've copied two!
I think the problem with having a female behaving as Freddy is that as a woman one thinks about and can imagine the horror of being the victim. Less so if the tables were turned. Would we put ourselves in those shoes so easily? But enjoyment of a book often involves identifying with particular characters.

And I think unstable people may be triggered by a variety of things, whether an obsession with a book, a character in a film or even a computer game. Most of us recognise fiction for what it is and don't use it as a plan.

The Collector is a vile book.

But, on the other hand, The French Lieutenant’s Woman is quite compassionate in some ways.

TFLW is gorgeous. Love it.

TFLW amazing. One of the books I studied at A level that have me a passion for literature. Read it again recently.

I agree on reading horrific things when you're younger! Even fairy tales are awful when you read them as an adult- little red riding hood? Totally lost on the kids

I had given up on Fowles after the Magus. Enjoyed TFLW film though.
As for children - I took care to be present for the death of Nancy the first time they saw Oliver but they didn't care a jot!