The Enchanted Isle (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York , United States |
| Products | Books |
The Enchanted Isle is a novel authored by James M. Cain and released by The Mysterious Press in 1985.
Plot summary
The narrative is delivered by Amanda "Mandy" Vernick, a sixteen-year-old girl who describes her own appearance and the difficulties within her family. She endures mistreatment at the hands of her stepfather, Steve Baker, with her mother’s silent approval. Upon uncovering her mother’s affair with a wealthy individual named Wilmer, Mandy flees to Baltimore in search of her biological father and dreams of escaping to a secluded tropical location known as the "Enchanted Isle." During her journey, she teams up with Rick, another disenchanted young person. When the man she believes to be her father denies paternity, Mandy and Rick carry out a bank heist. Rick then absconds with the stolen funds, compelling Mandy to return home, where she discovers that Wilmer is actually her real father. Seeking vengeance, Rick murders both Steve and Mandy’s mother, enacting Mandy’s suppressed Electra complex.
Publication history
Initially, Cain’s representatives considered the manuscript unfit for publication, which prevented it from reaching Knopf editor William Koshland. Facing uncertainty about his career as a novelist, Cain encountered limited interest from Hollywood despite attempts by his associate Harold Norling Swanson, who renamed the manuscript "The Mink Coat" to attract studios interested in youth rebellion narratives. The book was never adapted into a film and was ultimately published by The Mysterious Press in 1985. Cain’s last novel, The Cocktail Waitress (2012), was also issued posthumously.
Critical assessment
After reviewing The Enchanted Isle, Knopf publisher Ruth Goetz urged Cain to revisit his hallmark style of exploring morally complex characters. Literary analyst Paul Skenazy observes that this work and Cloud Nine (1984) exhibit a more cynical tone compared to Cain’s earlier novels, lacking emotional resonance and concentrating on unsavory characters within outdated literary frameworks. These pieces seem intended more for Cain’s personal expression than for broad audience appeal.
Sources
- Cain, James M. 1985. The Enchanted Isle. The Mysterious Press, New York.
- Hoopes, Roy. 1982. Cain. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. New York.
- Skenazy, Paul. 1989. James M. Cain. Continuum Publishing Company. New York.