Buddy Read for The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier- April 25, 2023- June 25, 2023

[Ginger]

Vickie wrote: "Great thoughts, Ginger! [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, that's what my thoughts were too. I think (view spoiler)[she also caught him kissing May and just likely gave up. But also that moment when she was all dressed up in the green dress and the husband didn't even care or defend her to his buddy.
I also think that's a moment when she became more miserable and just didn't care anymore.

I also wonder if he was projecting so much on to that tree (and the tree, firewood and apples were actually okay to everyone else!) but it reminded him of an image of his wife and subconsciously he knows deep down he's a jackass. (hide spoiler)]

I really liked this one because it allows the reader to think about the situation a bit more. There's not a black or white answer with the plot.

[Vickie]

Yes, exactly!

[Sacha]

I don't think the husband in The Apple Tree actually realises he has always behaved in a wrong way towards his wife. That's the main point of the story, I think, his blindness towards everyone he meets and everything that happens to him.

[Sacha]

The story was also interesting in the way DuMaurier juxtaposes the protagonist's pov and what we assume to be reality instead, as displayed through his interaction with others, and their reactions to him.

[Ginger]

Sacha wrote: "I don't think the husband in The Apple Tree actually realises he has always behaved in a wrong way towards his wife. That's the main point of the story, I think, his blindness towards everyone he m..."

Totally can see that too Sacha!

[Vickie]

Yes, very true!

[Ginger]

I finished last night and really enjoyed this collection! I really liked all of them but if I had to pick a favorite, it ended up being The Little Photographer. I totally wasn't expecting that.
I just loved how du Maurier shows how (view spoiler)[utterly awful the Marquise was. She's this beautiful woman but absolutely vain and ugly inside. I thought she could easily have been a sociopath.

When she ends up getting blackmailed at the end, I loved it.
Plus, du Maurier left it a bit open with the story with bringing up the clubfoot genetic disorder.

Do you think the Marquise just might end up getting pregnant by Monsieur Paul and the baby has a club foot?! Ha!
I hope so because at the end of the short story, the word safety is used and she's not safe at all. *fist pump* (hide spoiler)]

And I loved The Old Man after all. I was not expecting that (view spoiler)[twist at the end with it being swans. So clever!! (hide spoiler)]

[Vickie]

Yes, that Marquise was something else! Totally agree with your thoughts on her.😊

And, yes, I so loved that ending in The Old Man!

[Terry]

I finished as well. She certainly knows how to write some characters that you can despise (view spoiler)[ like that mean old man swan! (hide spoiler)]

I’m sticking with The Birds as my favorite of all of the stories though.

[Vickie]

Yes, she sure does write characters well! My favorites were The Birds and The Little Photographer.

[Terry]

Vickie wrote: "Yes, she sure does write characters well! My favorites were The Birds and The Little Photographer."

I did like The Little Photographer as well, probably mostly because (view spoiler)[ of what you and Ginger commented on already about that subtle last line by the husband about the genetic foot problem. I like it that we’re we’re left feeling her dread, but not really knowing for sure how it ends. (hide spoiler)]

[Ginger]

Terry wrote: "Vickie wrote: "Yes, she sure does write characters well! My favorites were The Birds and The Little Photographer."

I did like The Little Photographer as well, probably mostly because..."

Yes! I liked the sense of dread in that one and you want to find out more. I'll tell ya though, (view spoiler)[if she ends up pregnant, I won't feel bad for her. LOL!! (hide spoiler)]

[Ginger]

Terry wrote: "I’m sticking with The Birds as my favorite of all of the stories though."

I really liked that one too. It was a (view spoiler)[creature feature book before the genre really took off!
She was ahead of her time. :D (hide spoiler)]

[Sacha]

I have just finished The little photographer. Nice, but I have to say quite predictable. The description of The Marquise's personality, though, was really impressive. The way DuMaurier let us slip into her vane arrogant conscience is brilliant. Hope the remaining stories are good too.

[Ginger]

Sacha wrote: "I have just finished The little photographer. Nice, but I have to say quite predictable. The description of The Marquise's personality, though, was really impressive. The way DuMaurier let us slip ..."

I loved that about this short story too and how she wrote this character! It was brilliant with seeing how vane and terrible she is.

[Vickie]

Yes, totally agree!

[Sacha]

Kiss me Stranger was unexpected. What I mostly like about this collection is her ability to change mood and style completely from one story to the other. In this one, you can actually feel the presence of this simple-minded former military man, and the girl is a memorable character too, her despair all the more poignant because everything is only hinted at and seen from a distance. So, it's just The old man left for me now!! I'll get back to you with my thoughts about it soon.

[Sacha]

So, I've just finished!

[Sacha]

I have to say The Old Man took me by surprise, I didn't see it coming... really intriguing. A final treat from a brilliant book.

[Sacha]

My favourite one is still Monte Verita', though.

[Vickie]

Yes, Sacha, agree about The Old Man. I just loved that surprise ending!😊