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Gli Uccelli E Altri Racconti (1952)

by Daphne du Maurier(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

8856500027 (ISBN13: 9788856500028)

languge

English

genre

Horror

publisher

Il Saggiatore

review 1: The story behind the movie The Birds caught my eye--who hasn't been frightened by that movie? The book was full of slightly creepy short stories, not blatantly frightening in a Stephen King sort of way but understated and atmospheric.The basic plot of The Birds was the same as the movie (birds attack people) but the story and characters were completely different. Du Maurier sticks with one person's perspective so we never really know what's happening with anything else.I loved the story Monte Verita. A mysterious monastery in the mountain? I'm already sold. But I loved the characters as well as the setting.I felt like the stories were uneven, though. The Apple Tree was intriguing (an apple tree in the garden started reminding a man of his late wife) but went on for t... moreoo long. And The Little Photographer, about a woman looking to have an affair while on vacation, was just a big yawn. The Old Man, however, was brilliant.
review 2: I have read lots of short story collections over the years, ranging from Horror to Sci-Fi to Crime Fiction and with mixed results. Some have been very good, whilst others have been average and some downright forgettable. I guess my favourite collections have always been of the Stephen King variety, even though there are always one or two standout stories amongst a few weaker ones.This collection gets off to an explosive and gripping start with The Birds, I was surprised how different it was from the film and much more scary! For me this is probably the perfect and possibly best ever short story written. Then we have the other stories; Monte Verita, The Apple Tree, The Little Photographer, Kiss Me Again, Stranger and The Old Man.Every one is a gem. Every one is a unique, standalone story with twists and turns, shocks and essentially, very good story telling. I can't find a fault with any of them and they kept me guessing and turning the pages like all great books do. And what a way to finish the collection! With probably the best ever short story twist ever written.I need to read everything that De Maurier has ever written. It may take me a long time but I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Read Rebecca, before you read anything else. Then read this and tell me there's a better short story collection.5/5 less

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