Under the Skin, by Michel Faber

Not sure how I stumbled across this. I probably read it in an online review of another book. Like most good stories, the reader's perspective/feelings/orientation to the world changes with the telling. For me, the real strength of this tale is how Faber inexorably pulls you into a different place from where you started - the simple, taught, style of the narrative, along with its brooding milieu. A bit weaker is the thinly veiled social commentary; I suppose it reduces the story to allegory. Nevertheless, it is nicely crafted and worth the effort.