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Mary McGarry Morris
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A Dangerous Woman: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Mary McGarry Morris (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 300 ratings
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The “compelling, suspenseful” novel of a vulnerable misfit in a small town by the New York Times–bestselling author of Light from a Distant Star (Publishers Weekly).
 
Named one of the five best novels of the year by Time magazine, A Dangerous Woman is the story of the damaged and emotionally unstable Martha Horgan, an outcast in her small Vermont town. She stares; she has violent crushes on people; and, perhaps most unsettling of all, she cannot stop telling the truth. After a traumatic experience during her teenage years, the thirty-two-year-old now craves love and companionship, but her relentless honesty makes her painfully vulnerable to those around her: Frances, her wealthy aunt and begrudging guardian; Birdy Dusser, who befriends her and then cruelly rejects her; and Colin Mackey, the seductive man who preys on her desires.
 
Confused and bitter, distrusting even those with her best interests at heart, Martha is slowly propelled into a desperate attempt to gain control over her own life. The National Book Award–nominated author of Songs in Ordinary Time tells a tale of unnerving suspense and terrifying psychological insight that is “at once thrilling and deeply affecting” (The New York Times).

 
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  1. Print length
    356 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    December 12, 2017
  6. File size
    5126 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sexually humiliated as a teenager, ostracized by her community and recently fired from her job, high-strung Martha Horgan, 32, falls obsessively and tragically in love with a charming boozer. "In this compelling, suspenseful narrative, Morris speaks to larger issues while limning an unforgettable portrait of a vulnerable woman," said PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Martha Horgan, the emotionally disabled protagonist, was gang-raped as a teenager; now, 15 years later, her life is finally flowing smoothly. She has moved away from her cold, domineering aunt and has a job at the cleaners, a room in a boarding house, even a worshipful admirer in Wesley Mount, the town mortician. But someone has been stealing from the till and "Marthorgan," as her taunters call her, gets canned. Back at her aunt's place she is seduced by the caretaker, a frustrated, manipulative writer, and then must suffer through his affair with her aunt. What makes Martha a dangerous woman is her unfailing honesty; she hasn't learned the world's way of lying, of hiding behind a social mask. At one point Birdy, her friend, tries on Martha's glasses to see if she really does view the world differently. Though the subject matter is somber, Morris tells a powerful tale. Her first novel ( The Waiting Room, LJ 5/15/89) was a National Book Award and a PEN/Faulkner nominee. Recommended. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/90.
- Doris Lynch, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B076RB2CNX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media; Reprint edition (December 12, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 12, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5126 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 300 ratings

About the author

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Mary McGarry Morris

Mary McGarry Morris

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
300 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

JoAnne Goldberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Small town sneers
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
Protagonist Martha wants to be accepted, even loved, but in a town where her name has become a curse, she doesn't have a chance. Her family is embarrassed of her; she's spent her life as the butt of jokes and abuse. She's infamous for having been assaulted by a dozen teenage boys when she was in high school, but everyone blames her for the attack...because it's always her fault.

To be fair, she's got a difficult personality exacerbated by clueless behavior that tends to turn even the most sympathetic acquaintance against her. If this book were written in 2020, she 'd be diagnosed as "on the spectrum" and provided with special accommodations, but back in the day, the consensus did not favor eccentric people.

A number of other well-drawn characters, both major and minor, illuminate Martha's plight: aunt, aunt's boyfriend, handyman, co-workers, housemates. Though they consider themselves normal, whatever that means, they are all portrayed as a little bit off. Maybe Martha, with her purity of heart and mind, is the only person who truly perceives the world as it is rather than through a facade?

A Dangerous Woman is character-driven, and the plot itself is thin. It's hardly a unique story -- a recent hit movie covered some of the same territory-- but this version offers a different perspective. It's both offputting and compelling, alien and relatable: most of us are at least a little bit Martha.
5 people found this helpful
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LGS2841
4.0 out of 5 stars A difficult read
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2020
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This was a very odd and interesting book, albeit one that was very difficult to read. The issue for me was that none of the characters was tremendously likable. At the same time, some of these same characters elicited sadness and compassion. I'm not sure what the author's intent was, but by creating personalities that were divisive and off putting - with moments of vulnerability and struggle - the characters had an odd depth and a sometimes bizarre array of personality traits that compelled me to keep reading until the end.
One person found this helpful
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KathleenMN
3.0 out of 5 stars Slow start but interesting ending
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2020
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I almost put this aside after reading the beginning. I did find myself getting more interested so I finished the book. I'm very ambivalent about the whole thing. I still wonder how anyone so obviously disturbed could get to her 30's without some intervention. And I am baffled about her affliction. There was an unreality to her and at times I felt the author just kind of made her do things for shock value. I really can't believe it was so highly acclaimed. Was there any character who didn't treat her badly other than Steve and Ben? Just a very unrealistic sad, sad person.
One person found this helpful
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RD
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2022
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Mary McGarry Morris. Your characters are so spell binding. 2nd or 3rd? book I've read by her. At first I didn't get it. Her style of writing. Why would I want to read a book with so many depressed and mentally ill people. But she draws you in. You feel like you understand every characters minds; its uncanny. I started this book and I'm like, great a whole book from one mentally ill woman's brain. Oh. But what a lovely book. I'm making sure I follow her. I want to read every thing she's written.
One person found this helpful
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YZPat
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwrenching!
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020
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Martha is the most misunderstood woman! From the early moments of her life, she lives with a father who is unable to show any emotion except to his job as Homer Beecham's caretaker. As well, her Aunt Frances is unable/unwilling to show her any emotion whatsoever since her own life requires all of her attention. So, the reader experiences the most pain when as a high school girl, Martha is lured into the forest by a dozen boys who humiliate her--an experience she is never able to overcome and for which she gets no understanding or help from her father or her aunt as well as the community. Thus the stage is set for a life that yields no affection, compassion, or help from others. Trying to make a life for herself after the death of her father she manages to life alone and to hold down a job until more pain is inflicted on her. But, it is the experience with the handyman that sets her on the most pitiful journey of all. Despite the help she does get from the Undertaker, the old man, and Julia, she finds herself unable to accept any attention. Her movie date is about the high point but it is the fact that she cannot tell a lie, but must always be honest that sets her course as a 30-year old. When you read this book, you will find yourself counting your own blessings and enumerating those about you to whom you will make ever effort to understand and defend. You will be changed.
3 people found this helpful
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K. Jhung
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant.
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2007
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I cannot stop thinking about Martha Horgan, Morris' protagonist in this novel.

"A Dangerous Woman" is not only well-written, it's complex in a way that readers cannot quite figure out why they are both drawn to and repelled by Martha Horgan and the people whose lives are altered by her.

The story is gripping, the characters well developed, and Morris' novel touches on some important social issues. I loved this book, and look forward to reading more by this author. Hopefully, they will be as compelling.
8 people found this helpful
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Sybil Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars My review
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
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I am giving this a three star rating. I found I was wanting to tell Martha “don’t do that “ or “don’t say that”. I thought it most depressing. It did hold my attention and I finished it. Will be interesting to know what others think about it.
10 people found this helpful
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Aapciudas
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
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the author draws a character who may have autism, certainly has impulsivity and communication difficulties, was severely traumatized and retraumatized in her youth, and was raised in near-isolation with family members inept at caring for her. many things are true at once in this breathtaking novel, but martha can see only black and white. an absorbing plot as well as a troubling meditation on community, normalcy, and connection.
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Top reviews from other countries

Jennifer M
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2020
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eft me thinking. So many ways to interpret this book. So many lessons to learn. Highly recommend . An excellent writer. Never disappoints
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Bernadette McDade
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading - excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2018
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This novel, in the inevitability of its tragic outcome and darkness, reminded me so much of 'Ethan Frome'.
The characters are skilfully described and developed and it is their flaws that drive the story. The writing is compelling and draws the reader in to the lives and surroundings of the characters. This is not a novel I would say I enjoyed because it is not a fun book but it is thought provoking and makes you concerned for the characters. I am pleased to have found this author and will be reading more of her novels.
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Howzatt
4.0 out of 5 stars unusual
Reviewed in Australia on April 13, 2022
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An interesting story of a probably autistic woman who couldn’t fit in to society. Very readable but a sad ending to an unhappy life
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Anne
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on January 26, 2018
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It was well written with nice unexpected moments. Good read.
2 people found this helpful
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madeleine mary
4.0 out of 5 stars dangerous woman
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2014
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I enjoyed the book as it was definitely not what I expected. It is written with great sympathy & feeling about a girl who seems to be on the outside looking in.
One person found this helpful
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