Who Would Like This Book:
If you love atmospheric, unsettling tales with a brush of the supernatural and psychological suspense, this collection is made for you. Daphne du Maurier is a master at conjuring mood, and these stories showcase her talent for immersing readers in vivid, haunting settings - from the eerie canals of Venice to the sun-bleached coasts of Crete. Fans of classic gothic fiction, Shirley Jackson, or those who enjoy stories that unravel in unpredictable, disturbing ways will find a lot to savor here. The tales are just meaty enough to get lost in, making them perfect for readers who wish short stories were a bit longer.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find the stories a bit old-fashioned or slow to start, with characters that aren't always easy to sympathize with. If you’re looking for fast-moving plots or resolutions that tie everything up neatly, you might feel frustrated - the endings can be abrupt, ambiguous, or downright peculiar. Those who dislike darker psychological themes or prefer clear-cut answers over eerie ambiguity may not connect with this collection.
About:
'Don't Look Now and Other Stories' by Daphne du Maurier is a collection of five novellas that delve into suspense, the supernatural, and human psychology. The stories are set in various locations like Venice, Jerusalem, Ireland, and Crete, each adding a unique atmospheric quality to the narratives. The plots are compelling, with twists and turns leading to dark and unexpected places, making them full of suspense and intrigue. Du Maurier's writing style is descriptive, immersive, and expertly crafted, drawing readers into each story from the opening line.
The book features a blend of mystery, science fiction, and horror elements, masterfully woven together by the author. The stories are well thought out, with each novella offering a different experience while fitting well together under the gothic theme of hospitality. Du Maurier's ability to create atmosphere and suspense shines through in these tales, making them compelling reads that keep readers engaged till the end.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of death, grief, loss of a child, mental distress, and instances of violence.
From The Publisher:
Collecting five stories of suspense, mystery and slow, creeping horror, Daphne Du Maurier's Don't Look Now and Other Stories includes an introduction by Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black, in Penguin Modern Classics.
John and Laura have come to Venice to try and escape the pain of their young daughter's death. But when they encounter two old women who claim to have second sight, they find that instead of laying their ghosts to rest they become caught up in a train of increasingly strange and violent events. The four other haunting, evocative stories in this volume also explore deep fears and longings, secrets and desires: 'Not After Midnight', in which a lonely teacher investigates a mysterious American couple; 'A Border Line Case', in which a young woman confronts her father's past and his associations with the IRA; 'The Way of the Cross', in which a party of pilgrims to Jerusalem encounter strange phenomena in the Garden of Gethsemane; and 'The Breakthrough', in which a scientist claims to be able to trap the soul at the point of death ...
Daphne du Maurier (1907-89) - English novelist, biographer, and playwright, who published romantic suspense novels, mostly set on the coast of Cornwall. Du Maurier is best known for and Jamaica Inn (1936), filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1939, Rebecca (1938), filmed by Hitchcock in 1940, and The Birds (1952), filmed by Hitchcock in 1963.
If you enjoyed Don't Look Now and Other Stories, you might like Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.
'Daphne du Maurier has no equal'
Sunday Telegraph
'Du Maurier created a scale by which modern women can measure their feelings'
Stephen King
Ratings (8)
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Reader Stats (26):
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Want To Read (14) | |
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1 comment(s)
Only a few of her short stories and full length novel Rebecca is available on my book app. I like her writing but haven't feel in lasting love of her works yet. I'm very interested in trying to find a few of her longer works through my library but not sure which one to look for first. Does anyone has a suggestion? Which is your favorite work by Daphne Du Maurier?
What can you read after
Don't Look Now and Other Stories?
About the Author:
Daphne du Maurier was born in 1907 and died in 1989. Her many successful novels include Frenchman's Creek, My Cousin Rachel and Rebecca, famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940.
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