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.
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.
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.
a_violentfemme's review against another edition
3.0
Its always difficult to rate a collection of short stories! I definitely enjoyed some more than others but as I'm such a big fan of Rebecca it was really interesting seeing some of the starting points for the novel.
rocknrollfun's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this work and wrote a review on my site, The Two R's!
coppercrane2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25