Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson was published in 2016 as a Penguin Modern Classic. I’ve read a few of Shirley Jackson’s novels and I must say that I preferred them to the short stories. The collection is like ‘the curate’s egg’ in other words – good in parts.
To begin with I was impressed by how she managed to write a very uncomfortable and unnerving atmosphere, but either I got used to that or the stories just got weaker as the anthology developed. There were a few stories that just came to a stop and left me very unimpressed, but then maybe other readers would have got something out of them. Having said that I liked the last story The Summer People about the local people’s attitude to summer residents in a tourist area.
We did have a bit of a laugh though as I read the blurb excerpt on the back out to Jack.
‘An odd thought crossed her mind: she would pick up the heavy glass ashtray and smash her husband over the head’
I said to Jack – ” I don’t have a heavy glass ashtray”
Jack said – “You’ll just have to use the more traditional rolling pin then”
Well it made us laugh!
This compilation comprises of:
The Possibility of Evil
Louisa, Please Come Home
Paranoia
The Honeymoon of Mrs Smith
The Story We Used to Tell
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Jack the Ripper
The Beautiful Stranger
All She Said Was Yes
What a Thought
The Bus
Family Treasurers
A Visit
The Good Wife
The Man in the Woods
Home
The Summer People
Do you have a heavy wooden rolling pin or one of those light aluminum ones? Jack better be on the lookout! 😀
Stefanie,
I have a lovely heavy wooden one, I bought it when we got engaged I think, but have never had to use it apart from for pastry and bashing apart frozen things!
Years ago, I watched “The haunting” by Robert Wise that scarred (and scared) me for life – the scene when the two girls hold hands in the bedroom but they’re not holding hands ? Still shivering. Lately, I heard this was an adaptation of one of her novels, then I heard about “We have always lived in the castle” that I must read. Looks like I’m going to add this one to my list too 😉
Iza,
I read We Have Always Lived in the Castle a few years ago and really liked it. I think it’s a bit of a classic so I’m sure your library will have a copy. I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it.
I have not read much by Shirley Jackson but I have We Have Always Lived in the Castle on my TBR shelves (and on my Classics list).
tracybham,
I think you’ll enjoy that one when you get around to it.
The Haunting of Hill House is one of my favorite books and movies (the original movie, not the remake). Have you read any of her domestic comedies, Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons? They’re hysterical. How could she move so successfully from horror to comedy?!
Joan,
No I haven’t read any of those ones, thanks for letting me know, I’ll try to get copies as I’d enjoy something hysterical!