Reviews

Куклата by Daphne du Maurier

cleomancer's review against another edition

4.0

When I first saw this book in the bookshop I wasn't quite sure whether buy it or not, as I thought that usually the early works of different huge authors are not even worth reading. Well, I was really surprised, as eventually I liked these short stories even better than Rebecca. They show how much knowledge of the emotions and feelings of both sexes Daphne du Maurier actually had, which is really surprising, regarding her young age. Also, she managed to make these stories complete and profound in only 15-30 pages. My personal favorite is the last one. I really liked that du Maurier never said something about the character being bad or selfish, we come to the decision on our own while reading the story of the woman. She actually thought that she is always the one who suffers and didn't deserve it, while during her whole life she always manipulated with people, starting from her parents, to get what she wants. Most of all I liked the way she always emphasized on the great location of her aunt's house in London.

roxyc's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

whatthefawkes's review against another edition

5.0

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"You would be fatal to any man. A spark that lights, and does not burn itself, a flame fanning other flames."

Dark, gothic, and chilling, Du Maurier explores themes of obsession, jealousy, sex and passion in this tale about a woman's obsession with a mechanical male sex doll. Unsurprisingly one of the strangest things I've ever read and more unsurprising still, The Doll is beautifully written and an excellent example of Du Maurier's talent.

reed_with_read's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

4.75

Short Summary: A Short Story collection that mostly consists of strange and unsettling scenarios, with slightly twisted characters who help to build the tension.

(I read the physical book)

It is always hard to rate a short story collection, as often the quality of each story varies.
But every one of these was great.

Du Maurier has such skill in building tension and unease.
And each of these stories had me hooked.
It had the classic tell-tale sign of a good collection - Where you end every story and think "... just one more."

lleer's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

judythedreamer's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

meemee's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

peachyartist's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

polly_baker's review against another edition

4.0

The Doll. A sex doll. A very creepy sex doll.
Du Maurier was definitely ahead of her time.

polly_baker's review against another edition

4.0

A mixed collection with some true Du Maurier brilliance in places. Some sinister, some funny, some unnerving.

Seemingly ahead of her time both in her own age (she wrote some of these aged 19) and her era (1930s). She shows an astute awareness of the darkness of the world and the female position within it.

With themes of obsession and harassment, manipulation, desire, sexual shame, rape culture, gaslighting, ghosting, grooming... Du Maurier casts criticism on societal norms that still persist today, often via a naive character, blind to the damage being wrought.

Sometimes this makes for a witty, satirical tale, as in Limpet, where the woman's misfortune is self-made and her self-pity is laughable. In others, like Tame Cat, this naivety is deeply tragic, exposing male-power as an exploitative and dangerous force against the most vulnerable.

The Happy Valley was undoubtedly my favourite, not least because it is the origin story of Rebecca, and was as unnerving and beautiful as the acclaimed novel it became.

All wonderfully observed stories and a intriguing insight into the early authorial mind of one of the greats.