80. Damage by Josephine Hart

Told by a nameless narrator, Hart’s debut novel from 1991 is a strong, haunting tale of obsessive love. The narrator is a 50-year old physician and member of Parliament who leads a quiet life with his wife Ingrid and their two children. When his son Martyn introduces him to his new girlfriend, Anna Barton, the chemistry is immediate. Knowing that this will ruin his family and career, he is overcome with desire for Anna and risks everything by having an affair with her. Anna has damaged men in the past – including having an incestuous relationship with her brother, Aston, who ended up killing himself. When the family finds out about the affair, many lives end up damaged beyond repair.

This novel spent many weeks on the bestseller charts and was also made into a movie. Hart’s spare, short chapters effectively show the narrator’s obsession and torment, including his detachment from right and wrong. Anna’s family secrets and her role in the horrible ending of Martyn’s family add to the tragedy. Hart went on to write other novels, including Sin and Oblivion.