''The Blunderer'' is a

psychological thriller Psychological thriller is a Film genre, genre combining the thriller (genre), thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting ...

Patricia Highsmith Patricia Highsmith (born Mary Patricia Plangman; January 19, 1921 – February 4, 1995) was an American novelist and short story writer widely known for her psychological thrillers, including her series of five novels featuring the character T ...

, first published in 1954 by

Coward-McCann G. P. Putnam's Sons is an American book publisher based in New York City, New York (state), New York. Since 1996, it has been an Imprint (trade name), imprint of the Penguin Group. History The company began as Wiley & Putnam with the 1838 part ...

. It was third of her 22 novels, the second published under her own name.

Synopsis

Mild-mannered lawyer Walter Stackhouse hates his neurotic wife, Clara. He has suffered for years as she alienated all his friends and embarrassed him with her pettiness, overly dramatic gestures and intolerance of other people's needs. With Walter, she is increasingly distant and, without foundation, begins to accuse him of having an affair with the sweet and sensuous music teacher Ellie Briess. Walter does eventually become infatuated with Ellie and starts a relationship with her. Jealous Clara then attempts suicide by

overdose A drug overdose (overdose or OD) is the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities much greater than are recommended. Retrieved on September 20, 2014.

, forcing Walter back into her arms. However, immediately upon recovering from near-death, Clara falls into her usual pattern; Walter finally stands his ground and demands a

divorce Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union. Divorce usually entails the canceling or reorganising of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the M ...

. Clara is then found dead, having fallen off a cliff during a rest interval while taking a bus to see her dying mother. It is likely suicide. In time, as the official investigation continues, Walter has to admit to a couple of questionable activitiesstalking Clara's bus in his car, while daydreaming about possibly killing her at the first stop and visiting Melchior Kimmel, a bookshop manager who got away with killing his own wife, prior to Clara's death. Both Walter and Kimmel soon encounter the formidable, possibly psychotic Lieutenant Lawrence Corby, a police officer with savage ambition who is convinced they are both guilty. Corby soon begins encroaching on his suspects' lives, releasing details of their behavior to the press in an effort to distance them from their friends and work associates and repeatedly assaulting Kimmel. Throughout, Walter's blundering damages his relationships, his reputation and soon threatens his life.

Reception

In ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'',

Anthony Boucher William Anthony Parker White (August 21, 1911 – April 29, 1968), better known by his pen name Anthony Boucher (), was an American author, critic, and editor who wrote several classic mystery novels, short stories, science fiction, and radio dr ...

recognized the novel's similarity to '' Strangers on a Train'' in its "striking plot idea", which is "so complex that it defies brief synopsis". He continued:

Film adaptations

* ''

Enough Rope ''Enough Rope with Andrew Denton'' (often shortened to ''Enough Rope'') is a television interview show originally broadcast on ABC1 in Australia. The title of the show came from the phrase " give someone enough rope and they'll hang themselves ...

'' (1963, French-language title: ''Le Meurtrier''), a French film directed by

Claude Autant-Lara Claude Autant-Lara (; 5 August 1901 – 5 February 2000) was a French film director, screenwriter, set designer and costume designer who worked in films for over 50 years. He made films characterised by bourgeois Realism (arts), realism, anti- ...

* '' A Kind of Murder'' (2016), directed by

Andy Goddard Andy Goddard (born 1968) is a Welsh director and screenwriter, best known for writing and directing his feature debut ''Set Fire to the Stars'' (2014) and directing and co-producing his second feature ''A Kind of Murder'' (2016). Goddard has als ...

and starring

Patrick Wilson Patrick Joseph Wilson (born July 3, 1973) is an American actor. He began his career in 1995, starring in Broadway theatre, Broadway musicals. He received nominations for two Tony Awards for his roles in ''The Full Monty (musical), The Full Mont ...

and

Jessica Biel Jessica Claire Timberlake (née Biel ; born March 3, 1982) is an American actress. Biel began her career as a vocalist appearing in musical productions until she was cast as Mary Camden in the family drama series '' 7th Heaven'' (1996–2007 ...

References

External links

''The Blunderer'' (book details)
- ChooseYourHighsmith.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Blunderer 1954 American novels Novels by Patricia Highsmith American novels adapted into films Coward-McCann books