It tells the story of a deranged man who kidnaps a young woman, because he finds her beautiful, and keeps her sequestered in a cell he designed especially for the occasion.

Half of the book is told from the point of view of the kidnapper; we can learn his motives, desires and how he rationalizes to himself what he is doing. The other half is from the point of view of the victim, in the for of diary entries.

Film

The book was made into a movie in 1965. It was adapted by Stanley Mann and John Kohn and was directed by William Wyler. It stars Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Samantha Eggar), Best Director (William Wyler) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

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