Don't Look Now and Other Stories (Penguin Modern Classics)

I'm always impressed by Daphne Du Maurier's ability to write in such a wide range of styles, and that ability is very apparent in this collection of short stories, which includes the one which inspired the thriller film of the same title, along with two more sinister mysteries, while the rest of the collection ranges from comedy to science fiction.Of course they suffer from the disappointment of nearly all short stories: the endings feel abrupt and inconclusive. Don't Look Now (the first story, as opposed to the identically titled complete collection) especially - the ending is famous for its strangeness, but it doesn't seem right to me to hit the reader with something so out of the blue.Some of the stories - Don't Look Now; Not After Midnight; The Way of The Cross - I could have easily carried on reading if they'd developed into full-length novels I was so enthralled the narrative.I believe the same collection has also been published under the title Not After Midnight (the title of another of the short stories), so check you're not purchasing the same thing twice if you're collecting all the works by this author (which is definitely something I recommend!).

I’m not normally a fan of short stories, but this collection is an exception. These stories are packed with enough detail to capture you in the brief and varied worlds the author creates building convincing and engaging characters, powerful plots and a wonderful sense of place.Of course, not all stories will resonate equally - one, set in Jerusalem, I enjoyed more than the others; another set in a research establishment I thought was quite poor.

Having recently discovered Daphne du Maurier's short stories, this volume does not disappoint. Short stories can be mostly filler text with a punchline, hers have substance all the way through. I enjoyed the skill of her writing as much as the stories themselves.Book Depositary always includes a good quality bookmark, which singles them out from other sellers..

I was really quite diappointed with this. I'm afraid I feel Don't Look Now makes a better film than a short story. I don't think Daphne du Maurier is actually very good at dialogue. The conversation between the couple is very stilted and dated and doesn't really ring true. I really wanted to like it as I know it is a classic and ceratinly the synopsis sounds good but I really feel it falls short. I felt short changed once I'd finished, I kept waiting to feel spooked but it just didn't come. The evil protagonist at the end just seemed a bit daft, much more spooky in the film. It may be a bit controversial but occasionally stories are actually better once translated into film. I read this for my book club and I'll be interested to hear what the others thought. I know at least one other who felt thoroughly underwhelmed. I feel relieved and cleansed to be able to say it out loud!

I wanted to read the story ‘Din’t look now’ after seeing Nicholas Roeg’s film and hearing the Radio 4 dramatisation. The other stories are all good too.

For avid DDM fans this will not disappoint! A great read with plenty of twists and turns revealing DDM's dark sense of humour. Each story has the unique DDM mark stamped over it and you will not want to put the book down. I literally read until I fell asleep with exhaustion each night... this beats watching TV! I would recommend this book to both long time DDM fans as well as new readers. The only reason I gave 4 out of 5 stars was one of the stories went on a bit and lost its thread about half way through, other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection of stories.

Everyone knows Nicholas Roeg's inspired interpretation of `Don't Look Now`. Being able to read the original story makes one appreciate two brilliant artists in their respective fields; Roeg being faithful to the writer's vision, and the author holding the reader spellbound throughout all her absorbing stories.

I saw the film Don't Look Now with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie a long time ago, circa 1974, and loved it. It fostered a love of Venice which I have never lost. Until I managed to track down and watch the film again last week, I didn't know that it was based on a book by Daphne Du Maurier which I also read last week. It is a fantastic story which a reader will get through in a couple of hours. It is a thriller, very evocative of old Venice and quite scarey at times. I won't say anymore but would urge readers to get a hold of the book and read it and also watch the film too. You won't be disappointed....