Dunster

Rating:
Summary: An excellent study of friendship going horribly wrong
Review: Dunster is John Mortimer's most interesting novel to date and also his most underrated. It is a parable of betrayal and revenge, and describes the relationship between two men, one boring and ordinary (Philip), the other flamboyant and charismatic (Dunster), who have known each other since school. We meet them in middle age, when Dunster has just run off with his friend's wife. Dunster's confidence comes from his belief in his own abilities, especially his judgement of other people. Philip, by chance, gets the opportunity to undermine Dunster's judgement, which destroys Dunster. Ironically, it is Dunster's inability to grasp what Philip (or anybody) is capable of that leads to his undoing. Dunster has the charismatic man's belief that he can treat his friends how he likes because he's doing them a favour just by being there. Mortimer shows that even the most placid of people won't forgive if you treat them badly enough, no matter how charming you are.