Detective story

1. Detective Story
The structure of 'Enduring Love' is very much like that of a detective novel; starting off with the main
incident of the plot which is the balloon incident, then unfolding and developing in stages throughout the
story, resulting in a more or less stable conclusion. The book is logically written in a linear format in order to
enable the reader to follow the detective style plot. The romantic psychological thriller, complete with
crazed stalker, hit men, handguns and hostage drama, doubles as a tenacious novel of ideas and more so an
intellectual detective story, in which reason and science finally prevail over the senselessness and lunacy that
have shaken Joe and Clarissa’s foundations. Regardless of the actual crimes that occur in the novel, there is
a sense that Jed’s character leads to Joe taking on the role as a detective. His task is to “solve” the “case” by
making sense of the faulty narrative, piecing together the “clues” that Jed leaves behind him, allowing him to
possibly return to a life of normality.

2. Element of puzzling over ‘whodunit’
Although the form in chapter 24 is that of the love story between Joe and Clarissa, some mystery enters into the
narrative, as Jean Logan says, “I know I’ve asked to hear this, but I’m not sure I can go through with it, especially with
Rachel and Leo here.” The reader may wonder what exactly is going to happen and this part appears more in keeping
with the genre of the detective novel. The impact of this is that it keeps a sense of tension and suspense, creating a
climax of what is happen and ‘whodunit’ at the end of the novel.
Plot led by the need to solve a crime
In chapter 13, Jean Logan interrogates Joe like a policewoman. Joe comments that after answering her questions,
she “was not satisfied” adding to the sense that this sub-plot of her husband’s affair needs to be solved. Joe goes on
to say again that “these were not he answers she wanted” and she “assumed a let’s-start again voice” These
comments lead the reader to believe that Jean Logan is acting the role of a policewoman or detective interrogating
Joe who may know the answers to her probing. Joe also acts in a way that allows the plot to take a detective style as
he comments that he “sincerely wanted to help” Overall the form of the novel in this chapter conforms to the genre
of the detective story.

3. Mystery
McEwan entices the reader into the detective story in which he incorporates into the action of the plot. "...nor have I
discovered, who let go first. I'm not prepared to accept that it was me." This allows McEwan to alter his focus in
genre smoothly without disturbing the sense of a mystery to the plot. Joe is used as narrator to slow and quicken up
the pace of the action leading the reader into sub-plot discussions in a way of tempting the reader by delaying the
action. In chapter one, from the very beginning, Joe creates a mystery feeling, the tells the reader that he is
“...holding back...lingering in the prior moment“ which makes an impact, adding to the feeling of suspense and
tension, ultimately making the reader want to continue reading to find out what exactly Joe isn’t telling us.
Investigation
Parts of Enduring Love are of a detective genre since Joe is investigating Jed’s supposed “De Clerambault's
Syndrome”. The plot that is led by the need to solve a crime is the main feature of a detective genre, however, Joe is
not trying to solve a crime that has already been committed, he is more trying to prevent one. Although the plot is
not led by the need to solve a crime Joe is definitely investigating a crime that could be committed in the future and
therefore is a valid feature of a detective genre, impacting the sense of a mystery and revelation to the novel.

4. Reader trying to solve the crime or mystery along with the ‘hero’
Throughout the novel, the three main characters, at some stage, play the role of the detective. Joe is most
commonly the detective and the first example we get of this is when he thinks he sees Jed in the library, "I was
looking for a pair of white shoes, trainers with red laces. I threaded quickly among the vehicles throbbing patiently.“
Joe’s scientific nature is an important element in influencing the reader to solve the crime with him. In chapter 14
Joe notes how “it all came at once...” as readers we are made to feel as if we understand what Joe is talking about
and that we have come across a clue to help explain the mystery. Joe goes on to say that “there was research to
follow through now” almost instructing the reader, which adds to the sense of a detective story, as we feel with Joe
the ‘hero’ we are finally piecing together clues helping to solve the ‘crime’. Joe is also seen to be the ‘hero’ in chapter
22 when Jed is holding Clarissa hostage and Joe ‘saves’ the day. Joe leads Enduring Love around his need to find out
what Jed is going to do, conforming to the sense of a detective genre.
False clues
The inclusion of false clues in Enduring Love add to a more genuine sense of a detective genre. Joe subtly provides
the reader with false clues through his unreliable narration. Joe tries to make the reader believe everything he says
because of his scientific, ‘logical’ nature however in chapter 20 when Joe is interrogated at the police station we are

5. made to see that perhaps Joe isn’t as reliable as he makes himself out to be. He muses about the fact no one could
get their stories straight, that "we lived in a mist of half-shared, unreliable perception," that "pitiless objectivity...was
always a doomed social strategy" Then Joe ties this very common, human element to our natural past "We're
descended from the indignant, passionate tellers of half-truths, who, in order to convince others, simultaneously
convinced themselves" This not only adds to the false clues that he provided according to the policeman but it
impacts the readers interpretation of the scene and intensifies a sense of suspense as we are made to decide for
ourselves what to believe, acting as detectives solving the incident.
Less action than a thriller
In chapter 10 Joe creates a thriller scene however the lack of action included makes it conform to the style of a
detective story. The fact that Joe is being followed, “I sensed my tormentor closing on me”, by an unpredictable
character who he has made out to be the villain, makes the reader question Jed’s actions. The mystery of the
“signal” which is going around Joe’s head as if he is attempting to solve a clue which would lead him closing to the
person who has committed these crimes on him, adds to the detective style. What’s more the linear chronology in
chapter ten is based around the journey of Parry stalking of Joe; it begins with Joe walking in the “intensified” rain
being aware of Parry’s movements and patterns yet ignoring him as “he was fifty yards behind.” After the closing in

6. of the “tormentor” and the dispute, Joe ultimately shrugs of Parry leaving him crying, whilst he walks away appearing
to be in control of the situation. This does not seem to appear to convey the thriller sense because it is too ordered
and logical, which is much more fitting of a detective genre.
Reflection and commentary on events
Even in the opening chapter of the novel, Joe makes it clear that he is reflecting on the balloon incident through his
commentary. He questions, “What was Clarissa doing?” as he remembers the build up to the event making it seem
as if he is a witness being questioned. Throughout the novel Joe reflects and commentates in a scientific, logical style
impacting the read of the novel to form a more detective manner. In chapter 20 Joe reflects on the events in the
restaurant, claiming that the “event we had witnessed had been staged to give point to the writing” this seems ironic
and adds to the feeling of a detective story, commentating on who he believes was Jed, interrupting Clarissa’s
birthday meal.
Stereotypical settings
Detective genres are based in stereotypical settings such as Steve’s house in chapter 21. This chapter describes the
house of hippies and bikers giving an extremely stereotypical view of both characters within the house and the
house itself. It is portrayed to be a typical place for crime to occur, that involves solving by detectives. However it

7. seems very odd for Joe to be here in view of the fact that he is supposed to be the detective and ‘hero’ of the novel.
Also the setting in chapter one where the balloon incident occurs, is typical of a detective novel. The setting is very
idyllic, where "each leaf seemed to glow with an eternal light". The indication of tranquillity and peacefulness makes
the thought of it being a spot for someone to be killed even more surprising and mysterious. In chapter 10 the
setting the scene also conforms to the detective genre. By keeping the Joe and Jed apart with “a car surging up the
middle of the road...with an angry blaring klaxon... [that] inverted [Jed’s] own sorry sound” adds anticipation
however leaves Joe in control of the situation as the detective. The previous chapter ends as Joe “leaves the
apartment building” therefore we are aware that this chapter occurs near to where he lives. It is the urban, busy
stereotypical setting of this chapter that adds the mystery of the novel and leads Joe to the logic that helps him to
begin to understand Jed’s actions and investigate the clues he leaves, taking the role of a detective.
Joe does all his research on Jed Parry as though he is preparing for a case in which Jed must be proved guilty. The
appendix at the end of the novel is evidence of this lengthy research. It acts as a conclusion to answer any questions
the reader has but also to provoke more thought from them. We are able to view Joe as the overall detective which
is main feature of a detective story.