The Daemon Lover by Shirley Jackson

3.62 AVERAGE

sofiamey's profile picture

sofiamey's review against another edition

4.25
challenging dark mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
tiadawson26's profile picture

tiadawson26's review against another edition

4.0
The last 2 stories were my fave! Definitely need to read more Shirley Jackson now 
sj_ridgeway's profile picture

sj_ridgeway's review against another edition

4.75
fast-paced

isoisobelly's review against another edition

3.5
mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
yourstrulyemi's profile picture

yourstrulyemi's review

3.0
The anxiety to be perfect for her wedding was so great, it made me forget my anxiety for the upcoming exams. Though now, I'm left with both - my own and the leftover of hers combined.
chlocharlie's profile picture

chlocharlie's review against another edition

4.0
challenging emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

neen_bean's review against another edition

4.0
mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
herewegoagain's profile picture

herewegoagain's review against another edition

4.25
dark emotional fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thisamtheplace's review against another edition

2.0
Overall pretty mid and as a compilation didn’t have the thematic consistency of dark tales for example (which also contains the final story in this collection) 

The titular story is also pretty underwhelming - can’t help feeling that it was selected bc of the sexy, compelling title. 

Overall just a bit spiceless. Charles was a bit cheeky, Pillar of Salt had interesting things to say but over-long, Murder on Miss Lederer’s Birthday is very similar to many of her other stories. 

My fav was Like Mother Used to Make, excellent clarity of character and that cheeky, mildly horrifying end that is bordering Kafka esque. When Things Get Dark was also pretty good but I wish there was more to it - more spiralling/intense breakdown like in Hangsaman. 
colin_books's profile picture

colin_books's review against another edition

4.5
Shirley Jackson's stories settle with a sense of unease and linger with the silence of things unsaid, an inexplicable void that knocks the universe just a little bit off-centre. As ever, her prose is unmatched, fluid, striking, evocative, and atmospheric. If you're in the market for stories of dread creeping into the world of normality, or normality being revealed as the nightmare it is, then this is the collection for you. Short, slim, precise, and brilliant. 

Personal favourite stories: "The Daemon Lover" and "Louisa, Please Come Home"