The Bridesmaid HC Ruth Rendell Mysterious Press 1st print 1989

Description

The Bridesmaid Hardcover
by Ruth Rendell (Author)

When Philip Wardman’s feminine ideal, a Greek goddess, appears in the flesh as Senta Pelham, Philip thinks he has found true love. But darker forces are at work, and Senta is led to propose that Philip prove his love by committing murder.

A young man fearful of violence, an extravagantly eccentric young woman and three deaths figure in this atmospheric but insubstantial mystery from one of England’s finest horror/suspense writers. Philip Wardman, beginning his career as an interior designer, lives with his widowed mother and two sisters in a small house outside London. At his sister Fee’s wedding, Philip meets Senta Pelham, cousin to the groom and a bridesmaid, with whom he falls quickly into bed and in love. Soon Senta, with her silver-dyed hair and exotic ways, tells Philip they must prove the unconventionality of their love: each must commit a murder. Secretly appalled, Philip demurs, but Senta is adamant and soon he tells her that a recent killing mentioned in the newspaper was done at his hand. When Senta files her own report, Philip is much relieved, believing through a series of misunderstandings that she too has laid false claims to murder. The reality of Senta’s imbalance is gradually revealed, however, and the police appear on the scene just as she unveils her grisly history. Rendell depicts her characters with crystal clarity and renders Philip’s sexual obsessiveness convincingly.

Hardcover: 259 pages
Publisher: Mysterious Press; First Edition edition

Ruth Rendell’s books always pack a punch. Or several. And in “The Bridesmaid,” Rendell stays true to form, basically. While most Rendell fans recognize her as the author of the fascinating Inspector Wexford series, she also writes other thrillers. She also writes even chillier thrillers under the name of Barbara Vine. Regardless of which nom de plume she uses, it is difficult to find a writer who can explore–even reveal–the psychological pathways with the effectiveness of she demonstrates.

Philip Wardman, destined it seems, meets the mysterious Senta Pelham, an actress, most childlike, at Philip’s sister’s wedding. Theirs is a relationship that is made in you-know-where. Senta’s affections do not come without a price. To “prove” their love, she insists that each of them must kill someone. Not your everyday pre-nuptial agreement, to be sure, and certainly not a characteristic of the genteel English society circles they live in!

Certainly, “The Bridesmaid” is a disturbing work and Rendell sees to it that the reader is not comfortable with the situation. The author’s craft and technique are clearly demonstrated here and reverberate with a force that is both chilling and sensational. Queasy too. An uncomfortable–yet powerful–read.

Few stains on back of dust jacket, otherwise near mint. 1st printing. 0-89296-388-3.

Super Mario Land by Nintendo

Mario’s back for his best adventure yet! Ancient ruins, giant crabs, Koopa Troopas, flying stone heads and hungry sharks await you in this classic adventure. Travel over land, in the air, and underwater. Mario runs, jumps, and bounces his way to fortune and glory on his mission to save the Princess!

A beautiful kingdom on ancient ruins, tempestuous waters, and thrilling challenges await you in Super Mario Land.

4 big worlds
2 different vehicles for Mario to commandeer
Collect power-ups including the new Super Ball
Compatible with all Game Boy systems

Rescuing princesses isn’t an easy business, but there’s always one plumber ready for the job! This time it’s Princess Daisy who needs the help of our plucky hero in Super Mario Land for the Game Boy. Set out on an adventure through four worlds of one player side-scrolling action that will have you hopping and stomping your way through dangerous caves, an ancient pyramid, and more! Along the way you can collect mushrooms, flowers, and stars to power you up. Hop into one of Mario’s new vehicles, the Marine Pop or the Sky Pop, and fire away at incoming enemies. You’ll also have to battle four vicious bosses, including the Sphinx and a massive Easter Island statue, as you search for hidden secrets that hold tons of coins. Super Mario Land is compatible with all Game Boy systems.

The Nintendo Game Boy was a huge success thanks to AAA titles like Super Mario Land to boost sales at launch on 1989. The first-ever Mario platformer on a handheld, it is a faithful-yet-quirky game that’s a trip down memory lane.

While video games at home were getting much more sophisticated by 1989, handhelds were still in its infancy. Mario had already been a household name by then thanks to Super Mario Bros. on the NES, and Mario was exactly what the budding Game Boy needed to succeed.

Familiar characters and gameplay welcome the player without much of a learning curve, but there are some distinct differences. While the NES counterpart had castles as their main theme, Mario this time around travels to Egypt, China, and even another planet. Goombas and Piranha Plants make a comeback along with the upgraded Koopa Troopas, who now explode upon getting stepped on. Other enemies include aliens, sphinxes, and Chinese ghosts. There are also a couple side-scrolling shooter type levels that keep the game interesting.

Game only.Game only.