Even in his 80s, when he should be enjoying the sun and 4 p.m. dinners at the local buffet, ol’ pro Richard Matheson is still active writing. Case in point: the thin novel WOMAN, released last year.
Taking place over five chaotic days, WOMAN refers to the mysterious young lady named Ganine who invites herself into the apartment of radio therapist Dr. David Harper and his bitchy TV writer of a wife as they prepare (far too late, one should note) to attend that night’s Emmy awards ceremony, as Liz Harper’s sitcom is set to sweep. Ganine claims Dr. Harper is the only person who can help her, though she never explains why; she won’t take no for an answer and refuses to leave. Other guests arrive, including other creative personnel, and Liz’s chauvinist brother and his date, a bosomy bombshell whom he introduces as “my latest cunt.”
The stress is all too much for Liz, whose headache feels as though it will evolve in a SCANNERS-esque incident until it suddenly goes away; David believes Ganine is the reason, perhaps harboring mysterious powers amongst all her disturbed thoughts. The group engages in a too-long conversation about sexual politics that quickly becomes an argument, and holds drastic consequences for all involved over the weekend to come.
And I’m not sure what to make of it. Though WOMAN zooms by in no time flat – thanks to Matheson’s zippy dialogue – it’s neither truly suspense nor truly horror. It’s just sort of there, presenting an interesting idea with no concrete conclusion. It’s all setup with very little payoff, as the real activity occurs too quickly, not to mention off-page, as we’re told about it rather than shown. Even the TWILIGHT ZONE “twist” ending can’t turn things around, though it does suggest the story might work in a shorter format. It’s not bad, but it’s below the level we’ve come to expect from such an established, revered master of suspense. –Rod Lott
Buy it at Gauntlet Press.
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