A Judgement In Stone
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| Author | Ruth Rendell |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Crime, Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Hutchinson |
| Released | 2 May 1977 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 191 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-09-129070-8 (first edition, hardback) |
| Preceded by | The Fallen Curtain |
| Followed by | A Sleeping Life |
A Judgement In Stone is a 1977 novel by British writer Ruth Rendell, widely considered to be one of her greatest works. The novel is famous in the world of crime fiction for its opening line: "Eunice Parchman killed the Coverdale family because she could not read or write". The novel has been acclaimed as a keen social examination of the differences between British classes in the 1970s, as well being remarkable in its levels of suspense, despite the reader knowing from the first line what is going to happen.
[edit] Plot summary
The novel concerns the Coverdale family, a couple enjoying a happy second marriage and their teenage children from their respective first marriages. They engage an illiterate cleaner, Eunice, who, unknown to them, has already killed once. Eunice desperately hides her illiteracy from the world, and misinterprets attempts by the Coverdales to show kindness and sympathy. With a deranged friend, Eunice murders the entire family, but the crime is detected by means of a tape recording the women have made.
[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
The novel was made into a film, La Cérémonie, by French director Claude Chabrol. The author has said that it is one of the few film adaptations of her work that she is happy with.
[edit] Release details
- 1997, UK, Hutchinson (ISBN 0-09-129070-8), Pub date 2 May 1977, hardback (First edition)
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