There are plenty of reasons Hitchcock’s films are considered classic, even genius. But often overlooked is the fact that they were nearly always based on books. Two are again available in print.
REVIEW: The Undoing of Violet Claybourne
Set in 1938 England, the story is steeped in the very particular interwar setting, with dozens of connotations. Crucially, it’s the year Rebecca was written (and set). Like the classic Du Maurier novel, this book focuses on a shabby manor house, a young woman who struggles to fit in, and a crumbling aristocracy intent on covering up dark secrets.
REVIEW: The Sinners All Bow
On a freezing morning in December 1832, a woman named Sarah Maria Cornell was found dead on a local farm. The mystery was covered by Catharine Williams, a contemporary who became convinced it was murder. Kate Winkler Dawson takes another look at Williams’ work and brings modern technology to the case.
Books for February
One strong, one strange, and three duds for this month’s round-up of new and forthcoming books.
REVIEW: Bibliophobia
Believe it not, bibliophobia is a real thing. The fear of books, or the fear of words and reading, is a psychological condition that disrupts people’s ability to enjoy a book or even a visit to the library. Author Sarah Chihaya recounts her bout with it as well as exploring how we absorb and tell stories.