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amyw00f's review
mysterious
sad
medium-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
3.5
citykidfarmgirl's review against another edition
4.0
A widower finds he’s happier after his annoying wife’s death… until he notices the apple tree on the front lawn.
I enjoyed this novella by Daphne Du Maurier, author of one of my favorite books, Rebecca. Despite the tag line on the book it is not actually a Christmas story but a ghost story that would have traditionally been told to fill the long dark winter hours, which is exactly what it did for me.
“It was three months after she died that he first noticed the apple tree.”
Is Daphne Du Maurier the master of first lines? Perhaps.
I enjoyed this novella by Daphne Du Maurier, author of one of my favorite books, Rebecca. Despite the tag line on the book it is not actually a Christmas story but a ghost story that would have traditionally been told to fill the long dark winter hours, which is exactly what it did for me.
“It was three months after she died that he first noticed the apple tree.”
Is Daphne Du Maurier the master of first lines? Perhaps.
manadziesma's review against another edition
4.0
Sen nebiju lasījusi Dafnes di Morjē grāmatas, bet viņai aizvien izdodas atstāt noturīgu baisuma pēcgaršu. Un ne jau notikumi biedē, ne jau cilvēku rīcība šausmina, bet tieši vārdos nepateiktais un neizdarītais, tumšo domu bezdibenis, apjausma, ka nevar aizbēgt no sevis.
readacorn's review against another edition
3.0
Eine schöne, kleine Horrorgeschichte. Der creepy Apfelbaum hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Eine Empfehlung für Fans klassischer Gruselgeschichten.
wildgurl's review against another edition
5.0
The Apple Tree: A Short Novel and several long stories
by Daphne du Maurier
1952 / 1972
Victor Gollancz Ltd.
5.0 / 5.0
I love Daphne du Maurier!
Haunting, atmospheric, imaginative, creepy and beautifully written, every time I read her, I love her writing even more.
The stand outs, for me, were 3 of the 5 long stories included here. ´The Apple´ is incredibly creepy and ´The Birds¨ is just unforgettable, Hitchcock based his movie on this story. I also loved ´The Old Man´, but there is not a bad one here.
by Daphne du Maurier
1952 / 1972
Victor Gollancz Ltd.
5.0 / 5.0
I love Daphne du Maurier!
Haunting, atmospheric, imaginative, creepy and beautifully written, every time I read her, I love her writing even more.
The stand outs, for me, were 3 of the 5 long stories included here. ´The Apple´ is incredibly creepy and ´The Birds¨ is just unforgettable, Hitchcock based his movie on this story. I also loved ´The Old Man´, but there is not a bad one here.
charlottesometimes's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
causearuckus's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
samanthampg's review
2.0
A short novella about a misogynistic man who feels no remorse over the loss of his wife who has literally done everything to help him and he never appreciated it.
This, to me, was in no way nerve wracking or spooky. It was promoted as a Christmas time horror novel but it unfortunately fell flat for me. A quick read but nothing that would leave a lasting impression on me.
This, to me, was in no way nerve wracking or spooky. It was promoted as a Christmas time horror novel but it unfortunately fell flat for me. A quick read but nothing that would leave a lasting impression on me.