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teff_101's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
aisabel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.5
effys's review against another edition
3.75
The Birds
I really enjoyed this story, I love horror that surrounds nature fighting back. I absolutely loved the way the story embraced the feeling of hopelessness throughout.
Mount Verita
I really appreciated the haunting atmosphere of this story. It’s very much a story of the main character finding himself but with a very spooky surrounding.
The Apple Tree
This was a story I found quite slow I think the execution was just a bit weak for the story it was telling. It wasn’t the sort of story I would usually read though so me not enjoying it wasn’t too surprising to me.
The Little Photographer
I think this story was too long, it was a very slow build up to a fairly predictable ending. I think the bulk of the story just dragged too much.
Kiss Me Again, Stranger
I really enjoyed the mysterious elements of this story. It was definitely a story that kept you guessing until the very end.
The Old Man
I think this was my favourite story of the collection. I loved the 2nd person perspective of hearing this story be told to us as an audience. I was absolutely gripped by this strange family and that ending completely blew my mind!
I really enjoyed this story, I love horror that surrounds nature fighting back. I absolutely loved the way the story embraced the feeling of hopelessness throughout.
Mount Verita
I really appreciated the haunting atmosphere of this story. It’s very much a story of the main character finding himself but with a very spooky surrounding.
The Apple Tree
This was a story I found quite slow I think the execution was just a bit weak for the story it was telling. It wasn’t the sort of story I would usually read though so me not enjoying it wasn’t too surprising to me.
The Little Photographer
I think this story was too long, it was a very slow build up to a fairly predictable ending. I think the bulk of the story just dragged too much.
Kiss Me Again, Stranger
I really enjoyed the mysterious elements of this story. It was definitely a story that kept you guessing until the very end.
The Old Man
I think this was my favourite story of the collection. I loved the 2nd person perspective of hearing this story be told to us as an audience. I was absolutely gripped by this strange family and that ending completely blew my mind!
iceky22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nicoleface_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
glitterenby's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
niezabudka's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
amieg17's review against another edition
3.0
There is something just so amazing about Daphne du Maurier's writing. I don't think its that possible to give short stories too high ratings because you simply don't have enough time to become attached to characters as much as a full length novel. But, the main selling point here is undoubtedly the incredible atmosphere that Maurier is able to create. The Birds is probably my favourite in the collection but, I did enjoy The Apple Tree a lot too. The natural imagery that joins these short stories together was just great - man haunted by nature. I really enjoyed this collection.
villanelleswife's review against another edition
4.0
Du Maurier is excellent at storytelling and immensely skillful at crafting an alluring, terrifying, and atmospheric tale within so few pages. As with her other works I have read, they'll definitely stay with me. I enjoyed the birds, the apple tree, and the old man the most, however Monte verita felt too stretched and flat for its length. I must say that she is also so good at writing infuriating, annoying, morally reprehensible, problematic characters...