A Kiss Before Dying (novel)
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|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
A Kiss Before Dying is a 1953 novel authored by Ira Levin, which received the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
This contemporary crime masterpiece narrates the tale of a charismatic and intelligent individual who resorts to murder in pursuit of wealth and social standing. The book has inspired two film adaptations: one released in 1956 and another in 1991.
Plot
Burton “Bud” Corliss, eager to break free from his working-class background, serves in the Pacific during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1947, he discovers that his father passed away in an accident while he was deployed abroad.
During his military service, Corliss kills a frightened Japanese sniper, an act that leaves him both thrilled and repulsed.
Upon returning to the United States, Corliss enrolls in college and sets his sights on Dorothy Kingship, the daughter of a prosperous copper magnate, as a means to secure financial success. When Dorothy reveals her pregnancy, Corliss fears losing his chance at inheritance and murders her by making it appear as a suicide. He conceals their relationship and continues living with his unsuspecting mother.
After lying low for a time, Corliss begins courting Dorothy’s sister Ellen, who grows suspicious about Dorothy’s demise. When Ellen confronts him, she too becomes a victim of murder.
Unfazed, Corliss then pursues the youngest sister, Marion, winning both her affection and her father’s approval; they become engaged.
Gordon Gant, a local college disc jockey acquainted with Ellen, investigates and uncovers Corliss’ plot. He presents his findings to Marion and her father shortly before the wedding ceremony.
Cornered at a Kingship copper facility and threatened with death if he does not confess, Corliss panics and urinates himself—echoing the very fear he once despised. In a delirious state, he admits his crimes before falling to his death into molten copper. Those accusing him are left to explain the tragedy to Corliss’ mother.
Characters
- Burton "Bud" Corliss
- Dorothy Kingship
- Mrs. Corliss
- Ellen Kingship
- Marion Kingship
- Gordon Gant
- Leo Kingship
- Dwight Powell
- The house lady of Gordon Gant
- The teacher who helps Ellen Kingship
- Dorrie
Adaptations
The novel has been brought to the screen twice by Hollywood. The initial adaptation, A Kiss Before Dying, featured Robert Wagner as Bud Corliss, Virginia Leith portraying Ellen Kingship, Joanne Woodward as Dorothy ('Dorie') Kingship, and Mary Astor as Mrs. Corliss. Directed by Gerd Oswald, this version closely adhered to the book’s storyline but excluded the character of Marion.
The second film version, A Kiss Before Dying, released in 1991 as a neo-noir thriller, starred Matt Dillon as Jonathan Corliss, Sean Young playing twins Ellen and Dorothy Carlsson, Diane Ladd as Mrs. Corliss, and Max von Sydow as Thor Carlsson. Adapted and directed by James Dearden, this rendition made substantial changes to the original narrative.
Additionally, the story was adapted into an episode for BBC 2’s series Story Parade, co-written by Terry Nation.
The Indian Hindi-language movie Baazigar seems loosely inspired by the 1991 adaptation rather than directly from the novel. Its protagonist Ajay Sharma seeks vengeance by targeting the daughters of his father’s betrayer to gain control over the company, depicting more of an anti-hero motivated by revenge.
Furthermore, the 1997 Malayalam film Moonnilonnu is also based on this novel.
Critical reception
Renowned horror writer Stephen King commended Levin’s first novel as “a hard-edged suspense narrative delivered with remarkable flair,” emphasizing its distinctive plot development that catches readers off guard regarding the murderer's identity. King remarked:
"[The book’s] most startling revelation is cleverly concealed roughly one hundred pages into the narrative... The only other author I can readily recall with that exceptional talent for completely surprising the audience was the late Cornell Woolrich, though Woolrich lacked Levin's subtle humor.”
External links
- Official listing at IraLevin.org
- A Kiss Before Dying on Google Book Search
- A Kiss Before Dying publication details at Fantastic Fiction