If you base your opinion of Daphne DuMaurier's writing talent on seeing the films based on her work, mainly Don't Look Now and The Birds, stop it at once and go and get this book of her short stories. Included in this lovely NYRB edition, edited by Patrick McGrath, are the stories on which those two films are based and they are so much scarier and way more bizarre than the films. I loved Du Maurier's novels, but it is in the short story arena that her genius really shines.
The printed version of Don't Look Now and The Birds are both far more frightening than their film counterparts. The Birds, especially, is an amazing piece of work. The sense of tension and isolation that DDM builds throughout that story is chilling. When the end comes, sad as it is, it is also quite a relief. Pretty much every story in this collection is a winner. One of my favorite DDM short stories, The Blue Lenses is included, and for those who haven't encountered this one before, you are in for a treat! A woman goes into a London hospital for some routine eye surgery and awakes to see the world in a new and horrifying way. Another favorite, Kiss Me Again Stranger finds a young man who becomes obsessively attracted to an usherette that he sees in a theater. He follows her onto a bus and let's just say he ends up regretting this attraction in the denouement of this very dark tale.
So, if you haven't experienced the wonder of Daphne DuMaurier's short stories, I cannot recommend this amazing collection strongly enough. Yes, they are creepy and dark, but they are also amazingly well-crafted and thought-provoking. I guarantee you'll enjoy them as much or more than the classic films that they inspired!
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