Don't Look Now: Selected StoriesDaphne duMaurier
I'm officially in love with Daphne duMaurier; it took me forever to read Rebecca, but once I did, I immediately needed more. Enter My Cousin Rachel. That was it. I'm hooked.
I'm glad I came across Don't Look Now, which compiles some of her best short stories into this lovely little collection. While some stories are more striking than others, this collection only served to further whet my appetite for this author. Those who dismiss her as simply a "writer of romances" are truly missing out.
Most stories hinge on a key moment in time (one that is often imperceptible to the protagonist until it's too late) that changes the protagonist forever -- and usually for the worse. In "Don't Look Now," a man and wife vacation in Venice after losing a child only to find that they probably should have stayed home. In "Kiss Me Again, Stranger," a young man finally finds love, although she isn't quite what she appears to be.
"The Blue Lenses" features a woman who, having undergone eye surgery, finds her sight has changed forever. In "Indiscretion," a chance conversation sees lives intersect, with serious -- and life-changing -- effects. In "Split Second," a woman takes a walk only to find life much different upon her return home.
Other stories are more difficult to categorize, and yet hint at a darkness just beyond our reach. In "Escort," a warship receives an unsettling escort home. "La Sainte Vierge" focuses on a young woman who prays for her husband's safety and receives a powerful vision in return. Of course, her most famous story, "The Birds," needs no summary, although it must be noted that the story brings more depth, and less hope, than the movie. Finally, the last work in the collection, "Monte Verita," focuses on those who live in a fortress atop Monte Verita. Who are they, and what do they do there?
As noted earlier, while every story isn't a stunner, I was able to enjoy them all in different ways. In fact, there isn't much to criticize about this collection, expect, perhaps for duMaurier's tendency toward ellipsis, which I found a bit annoying, lending as it did an unfinished quality to the prose. Thankfully, this didn't happen often, so no worries there.
In a nutshell: Bravo! I love you, Daphne.
Bibliolatry Scale: 5.5 out of 6 stars
FTCBS: Bought this one, of course...I seem to buy everything.
I'm glad I came across Don't Look Now, which compiles some of her best short stories into this lovely little collection. While some stories are more striking than others, this collection only served to further whet my appetite for this author. Those who dismiss her as simply a "writer of romances" are truly missing out.
Most stories hinge on a key moment in time (one that is often imperceptible to the protagonist until it's too late) that changes the protagonist forever -- and usually for the worse. In "Don't Look Now," a man and wife vacation in Venice after losing a child only to find that they probably should have stayed home. In "Kiss Me Again, Stranger," a young man finally finds love, although she isn't quite what she appears to be.
"The Blue Lenses" features a woman who, having undergone eye surgery, finds her sight has changed forever. In "Indiscretion," a chance conversation sees lives intersect, with serious -- and life-changing -- effects. In "Split Second," a woman takes a walk only to find life much different upon her return home.
Other stories are more difficult to categorize, and yet hint at a darkness just beyond our reach. In "Escort," a warship receives an unsettling escort home. "La Sainte Vierge" focuses on a young woman who prays for her husband's safety and receives a powerful vision in return. Of course, her most famous story, "The Birds," needs no summary, although it must be noted that the story brings more depth, and less hope, than the movie. Finally, the last work in the collection, "Monte Verita," focuses on those who live in a fortress atop Monte Verita. Who are they, and what do they do there?As noted earlier, while every story isn't a stunner, I was able to enjoy them all in different ways. In fact, there isn't much to criticize about this collection, expect, perhaps for duMaurier's tendency toward ellipsis, which I found a bit annoying, lending as it did an unfinished quality to the prose. Thankfully, this didn't happen often, so no worries there.
In a nutshell: Bravo! I love you, Daphne.
Bibliolatry Scale: 5.5 out of 6 stars
FTCBS: Bought this one, of course...I seem to buy everything.
8 comments:
Rebecca was one of my first "grown up" reads. I remember feeling like I was crossing a threshhold when I read it. Thanks for the reminder...
I'm also fond of Daphne ! She is such a great writer. I didn't know these short stories before reading your article, but you can be sure I will go and buy them !
Ooh! I just finished Rebecca not too long ago and absolutely loved it. I was wondering about her other fiction and if it was any good, and now I have my answer. :) (Of course, it'll probably be years before I get to it, I don't like to read too much of the same author at once, I like to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out their works as much as possible to prolong the enjoyment! :)
I loved Rebecca, and this collection sounds really great! Looks like most of the stories are pretty dark, but oh how I love DuMaurier's writing ;)
I haven't read du Maurier, and, frankly, don't feel like Rebecca would be something I'd love. But I'm quite fond of short fiction, and so I might just try these. Thanks--never would've tried du Maurier out without this post. Didn't even know she had short stories!
- Sasha
I recently read this after another book blogger (Novel insights) reviewed it. I loved it! I read only one other story in the collection but it didn't really match up to Don't Look Now. First Du Maurier I've read.
I like DuMaurier too, although some more than others, and I am not a short story fan. However, you make these sound intriguing. Have you read the new mystery featuring Daphne? I have heard mixed things but am curious.
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Cliffs-Maurier-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/0312367147
CLM: no - haven't read that mystery; you're right: it's got some pretty uneven reviews. Looks like a library book ;-)
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