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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yeah, no, this one was weird af and not really in a good way. The atmosphere was very unsettling without ever being able to put your finger on why - very du Maurier. The plot was basically kind of like if the questions of scientific morality and ethics from Frankenstein were in a short story that was 50 pages long and involved very outdated views. We shouldn't let middle-class men conduct scientific experiments, that much is obvious.
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I just love the time and setting of this short story - so evocative of times past. An interesting experiment of what comes after.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
3.5 stars.
My first taste of du Maurier and I must say it has made me hungry for more. The story started off strong, not introducing the purpose of the experiments and building the suspense was enjoyable, I found though that the story tapered once things had been revealed, and faced towards the end once it was time for the experiment to take place.
I would have liked more resolution towards the end, a more definitive feeling as to what action the characters would take after the story was ovet, but ultimately this little sci-fi short was very enjoyable and at under 60 pages I'd recommend to anyone.
My first taste of du Maurier and I must say it has made me hungry for more. The story started off strong, not introducing the purpose of the experiments and building the suspense was enjoyable, I found though that the story tapered once things had been revealed, and faced towards the end once it was time for the experiment to take place.
I would have liked more resolution towards the end, a more definitive feeling as to what action the characters would take after the story was ovet, but ultimately this little sci-fi short was very enjoyable and at under 60 pages I'd recommend to anyone.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Breaking Every Rule of Scientific Ethics: a How-To Guide.
Mad science...
Our narrator, Stephen Saunders, is an electronics engineer who has been sent to work in an isolated facility in Saxmere on the east coast of England, where the scientist James MacLean is carrying out secret experiments in creating methods of destruction for the military. Saunders isn’t thrilled at the assignment, since MacLean has a dubious reputation as an eccentric. He meets the people who will be his colleagues: MacLean, or Mac as he’s known; young Ken Ryan, who doesn’t seem to do much but is a cheerful presence; Robbie, a medical doctor; and the steward Janus, who does the cooking and housekeeping.
He soon discovers that Mac is carrying out another experiment, secret even from the people who are funding the facility. And this experiment qualifies Mac to join the long line of Mad Scientists who cross the boundaries of ethics in pursuit of knowledge. He plans to harness psychic energy – what he calls Force Six – and he intends to use Janus’ young daughter to help him...
Ah, yes, mad science! Where would horror be without it? It’s very well told and at 58 pages has enough room for some character development and for du Maurier to build up a chilling atmosphere of suspense. It is both creepy and quite moving as it reaches its climax, and raises questions about what happens to us after death – does any kind of consciousness remain? Is there an afterlife? Can we still suffer? What happens if we mess with the natural process of death? Du Maurier avoids the temptation to give pat answers, instead leaving everything deliciously ambiguous and consequently creepier.
I thoroughly enjoyed this foray of du Maurier into the realms of science fiction. It’s fairly standard in terms of mad science stories – nothing particularly ground-breaking nor deeply profound – but the quality of her writing and storytelling make it a shivery experience, and it’s thought-provoking enough to give it some weight.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Our narrator, Stephen Saunders, is an electronics engineer who has been sent to work in an isolated facility in Saxmere on the east coast of England, where the scientist James MacLean is carrying out secret experiments in creating methods of destruction for the military. Saunders isn’t thrilled at the assignment, since MacLean has a dubious reputation as an eccentric. He meets the people who will be his colleagues: MacLean, or Mac as he’s known; young Ken Ryan, who doesn’t seem to do much but is a cheerful presence; Robbie, a medical doctor; and the steward Janus, who does the cooking and housekeeping.
He soon discovers that Mac is carrying out another experiment, secret even from the people who are funding the facility. And this experiment qualifies Mac to join the long line of Mad Scientists who cross the boundaries of ethics in pursuit of knowledge. He plans to harness psychic energy – what he calls Force Six – and he intends to use Janus’ young daughter to help him...
Ah, yes, mad science! Where would horror be without it? It’s very well told and at 58 pages has enough room for some character development and for du Maurier to build up a chilling atmosphere of suspense. It is both creepy and quite moving as it reaches its climax, and raises questions about what happens to us after death – does any kind of consciousness remain? Is there an afterlife? Can we still suffer? What happens if we mess with the natural process of death? Du Maurier avoids the temptation to give pat answers, instead leaving everything deliciously ambiguous and consequently creepier.
I thoroughly enjoyed this foray of du Maurier into the realms of science fiction. It’s fairly standard in terms of mad science stories – nothing particularly ground-breaking nor deeply profound – but the quality of her writing and storytelling make it a shivery experience, and it’s thought-provoking enough to give it some weight.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
really good. gave stranger things vibes. my only qualm was that the story could've been so much longer.
Short, but so so good. Daphne du Maurier is a master with words and this just proves it again.
It's such a simple story, yet so haunting and I can't seem to forget it.
It's such a simple story, yet so haunting and I can't seem to forget it.