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56th out of 177 books
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Just an Ordinary Day: The Uncollected Stories Of Shirley Jackson
by
Shirley Jackson,
Laurence J. Hyman, Sarah H. Stewart , Sarah Hyman Stewart , Laurence Jackson Hyman
The stories in this edition represent the great diversity of her work, from humor to her shocking explorations of the human psyche. The tales range, chronologically, from the writings of her college days and residence in Greenwich Village in the early 1940s, to the unforgettably chilling stories from the period just before her death. They provide an exciting overview of th...more
Paperback, 448 pages
Published
October 21st 2009
by Bantam
(first published 1996)
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Shirley Jackson in many ways has frequently been made a victim of her own brilliance and success. Nowhere is this more perfectly framed than in this gigantic tome of previous uncollected short stories, many of which are also previously unpublished . She had the ability to craft perfect gems... I mean, it has to be hard to sit down at the keyboard with charismatic and terrifying works such as The Lottery looming over you and say, "...and what now?" Shirley Jackson was a paradox in many ...more
I love Shirley Jackson's stories and novels--she's one of my absolute favorite writers, and normally when I feel that way about a writer, I'd like the opportunity to have more books of their writing published, even posthumously, as this collections of stories was brought out long after her death. Unfortunately, this is all of Jackson's juvenile work, from when she was learning how to write stories. Many of them are quite badly done, overly sentimental, structurally awkward, conceptually unreal...more
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This collection has a few new (to me) pleasures that almost hit the highs of The Tooth or The Daemon Lover (from The Lottery and Other Stories). Talk about women on the verge of a nervous breakdown—Jackson has that locked, at least for the mid-20th century garden-variety middle class lady type-woman. Nightmare, The Mystery of the Murdered Bride, Before Autumn, are all good variations on that theme, and up there with Charlotte Perkins Gilman in terms of making the larger social connection. The Ve...more
Unlike The Lottery where the stories collected followed a distinct theme, Just an Ordinary Day has little to unite the tales within. The collection is made up half of unpublished stories, and half of uncollected stories, thus becoming a best of the obscure of Shirley Jackson. Do not balk at the fact that stories have scarcely seen the light of day - the fact they hadn't been collected until recently is in some ways a travesty.
The stories consist of a whole slew of genres. There ar...more
The stories consist of a whole slew of genres. There ar...more
This collection is all over the place in content and quality. It's a posthumous publication, so it's quite likely that Ms. Jackson herself would have been unimpressed with some of these stories. Certainly, they all show her natural talent as a writer, but the stories written in college and in some cases, the ones written to fill an order from magazines are flat and unpolished. Others read like second drafts of what could have become something amazing. If you're looking for works like "T...more
Not every story in this collection is superb, but plenty enough are to make the book a five star read. The stories are varied: humorous, sad, chilling, strange, moving. I am so glad this book, even with seemingly unpolished stones included among the shining gems, was published, and so glad to have read it.
On a side note, one thing I found odd is how often she assigned the name "Mallie" to unrelated female characters.
On a side note, one thing I found odd is how often she assigned the name "Mallie" to unrelated female characters.
Compared to her more famous works, this collection is pretty sub-par. The stories often feel unfocused and under-developed. The collection was put together after her death by her children; many were not published in her life (and you can see why). The ones that were are nothing special. A reader looking for a true Shirley Jackson experience would be better served reading The Haunting of Hill House (excellent!).
Having just finished Jackson's mostly-autobiographical collections Raising Demons and Life Among The Savages, I was looking forward to more of her writing, specifically the spooky suspense fiction she is best known for.
This collection of stories provides the occasional chill, as well as the suburban satire and urban observations she does so well. The story settings are pretty much of their time, but the characters and observations are timeless.
While a couple of the stories are a...more
This collection of stories provides the occasional chill, as well as the suburban satire and urban observations she does so well. The story settings are pretty much of their time, but the characters and observations are timeless.
While a couple of the stories are a...more
Really great collection of short stories. I enjoyed reading all of them, which isn't something I often say about collections, especially ones that are more anthological in nature. But Jackson is fantastic, and it's hard to believe so many of those stories were never published.
I enjoyed this collection but the quality of the stories vary from engrossing to down right boring. If you haven't read Shirley Jackson before do not start with this book. I loved her novel " We Have Always Lived In The Castle" & can't wait to read the rest of her work.
Most of the stories were mediocre, and some were outright boring. It was nice of her kids and relatives to want to give the world more of her writing after she had passed, but I think she had a reason for not publishing them--she probably knew they were not her best works.
I picked this up after I read 'We Have Always Lived in this Castle' by her (although, 'The Haunting of Hill House' is considered her best book). This was published posthumously after the family went through various boxes of her work that she left behind. They picked out the stories they felt were complete/what their mother would approve of. A lot of the stories feel unfinished, but I think it's part of their charm. The short stories run the gamut of reflections on her family life, disturbing...more
Really refreshing to read this huge collection of succinct, varied, provoking, and entertaining short stories from a master of the craft. I'll never forgot "The Lottery" from high school, and was happy to read more of Shirley Jackson's stories!
Absolutely amazing - a wonderful collection of Jackson's unpublished and uncollected stories. I really like how her children arranged the collection, as well, putting a humorous memoir directly after a horrifying, can't-get-up-right-now-I'm-so-scared story. Very well done, an essential collection for any Shirley Jackson fan.
This is one of my favorite books. Almost all of the stories are great, but a few of my best picks would be 'The Story We Used To Tell', 'Nightmare', 'About Two Nice People', and 'Come to the Fair'. This collection is bizarre, sweet,romantic, and sometimes little bit of macabre. Anyone who is afraid to read SJ because of her creepier, more well known work, (Haunting of Hill House, The Lottery) should give this book a try. I fell in love with Shirley Jackson after I read this book. Sorry that...more
I didn't like these stories nearly as much as in Come Along With Me, however there were several gems among them. I recommend this book to every Shirley Jackson fan as her skill in weaving a chilling tale is remarkable and worth the read.
Uneven, but what do you expect from an uncollected collection. The good stuff made up for the phoned-in stuff.
Stories by Jackson that may start out ordinary but very often end quite differently.
I'm not feeling you, Shirley.
The first story alone makes this worth it. A girl tricking the devil into signing his soul away :)
Still definately not the authors best stories, but I always enjoy her stuff. Some were a little slow while others were short and highly interesting. It's easy to see how Shirley refined her skills over time.
Still definately not the authors best stories, but I always enjoy her stuff. Some were a little slow while others were short and highly interesting. It's easy to see how Shirley refined her skills over time.
Margot Note
added it
I read this because "The Missing Girl" was based on Paula Jean Welden, a Bennington College student whose disappeared in the 1940s.
Another fabulous collection!
Sessily
added it
Some of the stories in this collection are great, but a large many are slight and easily forgettable. This isn't surprising, since it's a collection of unpublished and uncollected works. Recommended for anyone who has read other works by Jackson and wants to gain a broader sense of her story interests and sensibilities, but certainly not the best introduction to her work and writing.
The range of stories in this book is amazing - from cheerful to creepy and everything in between. My favorites are: Dinner for a Gentleman, The Story We Used to Tell, and Mrs. Melville Makes a Purchase. Awesome!
Really enjpyed this collection - didn't realize Jackson had such a great sense of humor! Some of the more mystical/"scary" stories seemed a little forced, but otherwise all really good stories.
I was just paying a courtesy call to this author, on the strength of her
deserved reputation for the stoning story. I thought she might have
good surprises for me. She didn't.
deserved reputation for the stoning story. I thought she might have
good surprises for me. She didn't.
Shirley Jackson is my favorite short story writer. These are alternately charming and dark, with an amazing insight into human nature. My favorite is "The Possibility of Evil."
My favorite book of all-time and one I return to again and again. Effortless and solid, chilling and funny from beginning to end. A book every aspiring author should study.
"An Ordinary Day, With Peanuts" is probably my favorite short story ever. This fine lady's writing was of immeasurable assistance in getting me through high school.
These are the weakest stories of Shirley Jackson. Thus, she never collected them when she was still alive. Please buy her OTHER books. They are so much better.
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Shirley Jackson was an influential American author. A popular writer in her time, her work has received increasing attention from literary critics in recent years. She has influenced such writers as Stephen King, Nigel Kneale, and Richard Matheson.
She is best known for her dystopian short story, "The Lottery" (1948), which suggests there is a deeply unsettling underside to bu...more
More about Shirley Jackson...
She is best known for her dystopian short story, "The Lottery" (1948), which suggests there is a deeply unsettling underside to bu...more
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