The Bridesmaid

The Bridesmaid

infobox Book |
name = The Bridesmaid
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition cover
author = Ruth Rendell
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Crime/Mystery novel
publisher = Hutchinson
release_date = 6 April 1989
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 304 pp
isbn = ISBN 0091738547
preceded_by = The Veiled One
followed_by = Going Wrong

"The Bridesmaid" is a novel by British writer Ruth Rendell, first published in 1989. It is generally considered a fan-favourite, and was adapted into an acclaimed film by Claude Chabrol (who had previous adapted Rendell's earlier novel A Judgement In Stone, with great success).

Plot summary

The novel's protagonist is Philip Wardman, a relatively normal young man (unusually so for traditional Rendell protagonists), whose only particularly strong feeling is that he hates violence. Philip lives at home with his mother and sister, and his feminine ideal is exemplified by a beautiful statue of Flora, a nymph, in their garden. One day Philip's sister marries, and Philip meets eccentric Senta Pelham, one of her bridesmaids who looks alarmingly like the statue of Flora. The two begin a passionate affair, but Philip's world comes crashing down around him when Senta sets a test: she begs Philip that, to prove their love, they must each kill someone.


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