REVIEW: THE BOOKSHOP & others by Penelope Fitzgerald

It’s okay if you haven’t heard of Penelope Fitzgerald. I hadn’t either. I’m an English major who loves British literature and I didn’t even recognize the name, let alone seen any of her stuff. I am not a “cut-and-paster” but I think she needs a little introduction. This is from the book’s author bio. Penelope…

ACCENT: THE BIRDS AND OTHER STORIES by Daphne Du Maurier

I’m sure I’m like many people in that I’ve seen Hitchcock’s The Birds but I’d never read the story. In fairness, I’ve read plenty of of Du Maurier’s books and stories, but I sort of assumed it was a written version of the film.  And as a cinema student, I’d also seen a couple dozen Hitchcock…

REVIEW: THE DOLL by Daphne du Maurier

The Lost Short Stories These tales written very early in her career (1926-1932), long before Rebecca.  Some were published much later, some not at all.  It’s fascinating to see the writer she would become taking shape in these early stories.  Sometimes they style is slightly more simplistic as though they were first drafts or rough…

REVIEW: THE LANTERN by Deborah Lawrenson

This is yet another recent book that cements my assumption that Provence is enchanting.  Of course, in my fantasy, there is significantly less murder and suspicion than in this book (or Death at Chateau Bremont). Still, I too dream of a run down but livable field stone farmhouse, with an aging orchard and lavender fields,…