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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
I was NOT expecting to love this as much as I did. I’m extremely new to the sci-fi genre, and I’ve typically struggled with it in the past, but science fiction that tackles the subjects of morality and experimentation really just hit the spot for me. Daphne du Maurier is easily one of the most well known authors, but this was my first venture into her works and I’m now more than excited to read her full length novels. Not only does this little short story have the most immaculate atmosphere ever, but it’s chilling to read (especially because I read the majority of it at 2am). I loved this so, so much and it’s made me not only more excited to read her works but also read more within the science fiction genre. If anyone reading this knows of any other sci-fi books that tackle morality and life/death in a similar way to this, please let me know!
I was NOT expecting to love this as much as I did. I’m extremely new to the sci-fi genre, and I’ve typically struggled with it in the past, but science fiction that tackles the subjects of morality and experimentation really just hit the spot for me. Daphne du Maurier is easily one of the most well known authors, but this was my first venture into her works and I’m now more than excited to read her full length novels. Not only does this little short story have the most immaculate atmosphere ever, but it’s chilling to read (especially because I read the majority of it at 2am). I loved this so, so much and it’s made me not only more excited to read her works but also read more within the science fiction genre. If anyone reading this knows of any other sci-fi books that tackle morality and life/death in a similar way to this, please let me know!
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I grabbed The Breakthrough on impulse (I was supposed to be buying a gift at the time) because I can’t resist Penguin mini classics. (I’m building a collection of mini classics written by women.)
My favourite thing about the mini classics ranges is that more often than not they introduce me to stories I’ve never heard of by authors I enjoy. I’ve read some Daphne du Maurier (Rebecca and Jamaica Inn) but clearly not enough because The Breakthrough really demonstrated to me what a versatile author she was.
It’s a science fiction story that manages to be simultaneously very plausible and very strange. The basic concept, that a person has an ‘energy’ that can be collected after death is the kind of out-there idea that would normally be more at home in a fantasy story but here it’s made to feel acutely believable through a combination of painstaking technobabble and light but effective characterisation.
Once you’re sold on the central idea, The Breakthrough builds to an inevitable but disturbing conclusion. Ultimately I was surprised by how upbeat the ending was, and in such a morbidly-themed story I found that refreshing. The final decision made by the characters – which I won’t spoil – felt, to me, like exactly what any reasonable person would do in the situation they find themselves in.
That, to me, is the key to what makes the whole story work: despite the apparent madness of their work, the characters act throughout like realistic, reasonable people. And by the end, you feel as if you have, for a moment, touched another world alongside them.
My favourite thing about the mini classics ranges is that more often than not they introduce me to stories I’ve never heard of by authors I enjoy. I’ve read some Daphne du Maurier (Rebecca and Jamaica Inn) but clearly not enough because The Breakthrough really demonstrated to me what a versatile author she was.
It’s a science fiction story that manages to be simultaneously very plausible and very strange. The basic concept, that a person has an ‘energy’ that can be collected after death is the kind of out-there idea that would normally be more at home in a fantasy story but here it’s made to feel acutely believable through a combination of painstaking technobabble and light but effective characterisation.
Once you’re sold on the central idea, The Breakthrough builds to an inevitable but disturbing conclusion. Ultimately I was surprised by how upbeat the ending was, and in such a morbidly-themed story I found that refreshing. The final decision made by the characters – which I won’t spoil – felt, to me, like exactly what any reasonable person would do in the situation they find themselves in.
That, to me, is the key to what makes the whole story work: despite the apparent madness of their work, the characters act throughout like realistic, reasonable people. And by the end, you feel as if you have, for a moment, touched another world alongside them.
This was my first time to read Daphne Da Maurier. This was amazing short story about scientist who wrapped up in his desire to solve mystery of death.. This sound so normal but believe me this one gonna blow your mind. This book was really short just 64 pages and story which seems like have been ahead of time. All character are likeable. This book makes me want to read more of Da Maurier
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
