Saturday, September 5, 2009


The Little Stranger

The mind can play dastardly tricks on the unsuspecting soul who lies wide awake in the middle of a dark night. Given just a few minutes deep within the silence that lurks after the clock strikes midnight, it can easily turn the most innocuous molehill into quite the unscaleable mountain, change a simple sore throat into a lethal case of lockjaw; a pin-sized mosquito bite into an exotic fever rarely seen outside the realm of voodoo. With a modicum of encouragement it can bewitch the coat rack into a knife-wielding fiend, the squirrel on the roof to Beelzebub, or the friendly shadow of the oak tree into the Wicked Witch of the West.
It can even make a woman firmly in the grasp of adulthood lean over the side of the bed and attempt to awaken her sleeping dog for company. And yes, I speak from experience, for last week, on the first dark night of September, I was scared silly. And I blame Sarah Waters.

It was well past midnight and I was up way too late with my nose in a book, an occurrence which is hardly unusual. The book was The Little Stranger by the aforementioned Ms. Waters, and I was about halfway along. Having heard from several quarters that this was a delightfully ghostly story - comparisons to Henry James and Poe were being bandied about - I naturally saved it for a night just like this one....chilly enough for blankets, the black sky enshrouded with clouds, without the faintest twinkle of starlight able to pierce the inky gloom. “Ooh, perfect”, I thought as I snuggled down and began to read. Like the slow winding of a clock, the story kept tightening. I did not even notice it at first. A few strange happenings here, a bit of foreboding there. I kept turning the pages, faster and faster, until all of a sudden I found myself as spooked as the child who is certain something unspeakable dwells in his closet, something that whispers his name in the dark. I closed the book with a snap. I listened. No sound but the sleep of the innocent.

I tried to wake Edward, asleep down below me. I called to him softly and he lifted his head to stare at me - a little unfocused, the white fur on his head mussed and shaggy from sleep. I patted the bed - in what I hoped was a most inviting and nonchalant way - silently praying he would jump up and lie on my feet as he does on the cold nights of winter. But no such luck tonight for he simply nodded at me and fell back asleep as I watched. So I lay there, with the covers up under my chin, wide-eyed and listening and most determined in future to only open this book on the sunniest part of the cheeriest day.

I do highly recommend it however. For the old-fashioned chills one rarely gets from a book these days. Just be careful when and where you read it. And remember, you have been warned.

Painting by Gustave Dore


September 9th Update.... The Little Stranger as been shortlisted for the Booker Prize!!

51 comments:

  1. I just went to my account and requested it from the library! I can't wait to read it! EEEE!!!!

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  2. I am afraid it doesn't take much to scare me in the middle of the night Pamela - I am rather afraid of the dark I am ashamed to say, so I think I had better give this book a miss. I smiled at Edward not responding to your invitation to jump up - I have one like that - if she doesn't care to come on my knee she just pretends she hasn;t heard. Mind you Edward on your knee would be a bit much wouldn't he. But over your feet in the winter now there's a warming thought.

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  3. Oh what a sweet photo and although I am not a fan of fiction you have me intrigued. May have to check it out.

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  4. Oh my! Just reading this post got me a bit jittery. I don't know if I can handle it.

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  5. I would love to read it BUT I know from experience that i daren't...I will be fine in the day but at night I will be like you ..demanding the dog sit guard on the bed and I have to confess I always sleep with a lamp lit in the kitchen so it shines a dim light up the stairs to my bedroom...silly I know but a girl has to look after herself!!! I am the same with films..I have learnt not to watch!!! xx

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  6. I'm reading it also although not quite as far along as you are. I almost quit reading early on with the incident regarding Gyp (of course made me sooooo sad and angry) but a few days past and I picked it back up. I'm now on page 147 and things are just beginning to seem a bit out of sorts. I love the writing, love the setting - it is my kind of book like Masterpiece Theatre in book form.

    It's too bad we didn't live down the street from one another we could have tea and chat while watching Edward, Apple and Winnie Dixon romp around in one of our gardens.

    xo S & les Gang of Love

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  7. One can have dark and fearful thoughts in the night without the help of a book!!
    Oh the innocence of Edward.

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  8. I'm easily unsettled by what I read at night - I did much the same thing as you years ago when I read Susan Hill's 'Woman in Black' - and when I saw it televised I was even worse! Poor Edward must have wondered what on earth was wrong - at least he was there by your bed for comfort:)

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  9. I read this book in one sitting in a hotel room in London jet-lagged and unable to sleep but I must say after reading it there was no chance of sleep! And alas no Archie and Dougal for comfort! Leigh

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  10. What a superb painting you have chosen to illustrate your private horror story. The patent fear inLittle Red's face prepared me for what was to follow.Lovely post Pamela but that is one book I too will steer clear of. I just dont like being frightened.

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  11. Ooh how lovely... I need to get into a good creepy book for Autumn and winter. Curled up in front of the fire with the cat!:)
    Mind you, I might not complete reading the story as I started to read "The Ghosts of Sleath" by James Herbert and scared myself silly so I did not get very far. I think I might try another one of his books. "The Secret of Crickley Hall" and see how I get on with that one!
    "The Little Stranger" sounds very intriguing. Thank you for sharing your creepy feelings about the book and for writing a great post!:)
    Jo May.

    P.S. I'm sure there are plenty of ghosts and fairies living here in the Old Rectory!:)

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  12. As always, Pamela, such true words! Night still has the ability to spook me fairly easily, and I can only imagine reading such a book on such a night. I don't read many "scary" stories to begin with, but I certainly always want my dog's companionship when I am frightened!!

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  13. I may pluck up courage to read it - but not when DH is away on business! I don't have 'an Edward' to stand guard, and I live amongst trees brushing against the roof in a wind. My screams may not be heard.......my heart is getting old, LOL!!!!

    My linens look too cool also this week - and I long to get my tall boots polished!

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  14. I always count on the big dog at your feet...if they only nod to you...and close an eye...that's a good sign.

    The book sounds full...well, scary full.

    Maybe.

    Maybe not.

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  15. Hahaha! Iknow the feeling, even with my husband fast asleep beside me, I can turn the wind rattled windo into a vampire ready to open the sash: I am reading "The Historian" for a second time. ;)

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  16. Eeep! This is the way I like to be scared, rather than putting up with a terrible horror film that jumps out at me with bloody knives and hooks for hands. No, give me that slow tightening any day. Well, not today. Today I'm planning on being a happy coward.

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  17. Not a fiction fan either but sounds interesting, will check it out!

    Lovely Edward.

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  18. Hello P&E,

    I have never enjoyed horror films and so choose not to watch them, nor would I select a book knowing it to be creepy! The mind is capable of playing enough tricks of its own!

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  19. Ooooh... I don't even like scary movies. Can I just pretend I read the book?

    Have a golden weekend! Hugs from our corner to yours. xoxo

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  20. Oh my God ! You have aroused my curiosity!

    Greet

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  21. Yikes! I don't like to be scared - book sounds tempting, but even on a sunny day at high noon, I can get creeped out! :))

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  22. I've learned not to watch scary movies or read scary books...athough this is tempting! Love the illustration!

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  23. I can relate ....even the furniture and curtains seem to breath if your mind allows it and I daren't read a scary book when my husband is away or I won't sleep a wink for nights. No Sarah Waters for me!

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  24. Yikes...I don't know Pamela. Although tonight would be the perfect night here for that book, the mistral wind is howling and there are a million creaks and bangs to add to the atmosphere...Have a wonderful weekend, xv.

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  25. Thanks for the recommendation
    Love all you share
    Blessings♥

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  26. Ah. My riches: I never lack for canine company in the bed. Room, maybe, but not canine company!

    Melissa- Not a fan of fiction? Oh NOOOOOOO!

    all the best-
    Patience (fiction writer)

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  27. Oooh, this book looks good. Errmmm! I've just ordered it!!!

    Edward needs to be trained to comfort on demand, methinks :)

    kx

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  28. Hi, It's me again! I have just red that you added my blog to your bloglist!
    Thank you so much for that!
    Hugs and kisses!!

    Greet

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  29. It is on my list... and now I cannot wait, the suspense is killing me.
    pve

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  30. I do scare easily, but I also love a well written story. Sooo, despite my overactive imagination, I can't resist. I'll defintely check it out. Thanks Pamela (I think) for the recommendation.

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  31. Dear Edward,
    I cannot imagine that Pamela would ignore your plea for comfort under any conditions. So that she does not have to wait for a sunny day to finish what sounds like an extraordinary book, won't you please reconsider your stance on staying put when she pats the bed? That a boy!
    Most sincerely,
    Kathleen

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  32. Yikes, Pamela, sounds a little scary for me, especially reading it late into the night.
    Glad though that having Edward near, must be a reassuring thing.

    Enjoy your weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  33. No thank you! I can't watch scary movies either. It took me years to get over Blair Witch (I know, stupid).

    You describe the uncanny wiles of the night beautifully.

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  34. Oh, and I never knew Dore painted like that! I have books with etchings only.

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  35. This sounds like a great read! As a teenager, I loved to read the scariest books I could find. Although I don't seek these kinds of books out anymore, I am always up for a good scare!

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  36. Everything seems so much darker in the dark! Love your dog, Is he an old english sheepdog? I have one (My 4th!) called Ralph. I live in England so it is nice to visit somewhere else! Please pop and visit sometime! Ralph would love it! Suzie. x :)

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  37. I love those stomach tightening nights - afterwards of course! A few nights ago I took my girlfriend to my lake getaway - a log cabin out on an inland. About 2am she woke me up..."somethings' out there. Yup, I said, red squirrels in the ceiling, wind beaten branches scrubbing the roof and a few snorting deer! Please go back to sleep! I didn't tell her that I too sometimes get nervous out there during big storms.

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  38. So did you finish it, and like it all the way to the end? yes, I have to be careful what I read (or watch if I'm working late) before bedtime if I don't want it to completely infuse my dreams... It sounds like a nightlight is definitely in order when reading this one!

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  39. Thank you for comeing to my blog, following me and leaving a comment too! I really appreciate it!
    Suzie. xxx

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  40. Many thanks for the recommendation. I just finished reading another Sarah Waters before shooting off on holidays and I was just as pleased as you were. My novel was 'The Nightwatch'. Superb. She has a powerful knack for narration and description. I will surely buy this one. Ta muchly.

    Greetings from London.

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  41. Poor Edward, not quite understading he was needed! Anya our rabbit used to jump up on the bed, but as she got older and we got a newer thicker mattress, she jumped up less....

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  42. Ahhhh, back in the House of Edward. I feel like I'm "home" again.

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  43. Ahhhh Haaaa....intriguing! I think I will head on down to the library!!

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  44. Great review Pam!
    Thankfully you have your protector friend there, even if he didn't make it up on your bed! It's a comfort to have a big dog like Edward!1

    xox
    Constance

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  45. Oh,I want to read this book...Poe is laying on my bedside table..but I only read this when my husband is home....when I sleep alone I read Mary Poppins;))

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  46. I've got to add this to my autumn reading list...It sounds like an absolutely perfect read on a chilly evening by the fire with a nice hot cup of tea...I love the illustration!

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  47. I love the way you set this up, although I usually don't like scary stuff! (I've heard great things about this book, though.)

    Have you seen the Little Red Riding Hood photo shoot in the September Vogue? Stunning, and really rather lurid.

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  48. Oh how juicy! I am a Poe admirer and, as you know, transfixed by moonlight. Noting title.

    I think I shall have to follow my rule of only reading such and such by day. I don't scare at night, but why test courage?

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  49. I enjoyed reading this - it was really rather reassuring that Edward didn't jump up on the bed. If there was anything to be scared of he'd have been the first to know! It is funny how molehills become mountains in the middle of the night isn't it?
    I shall look out for the book.

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  50. oh dear, I'm afraid I get spooked easily too. Especially late at night! I do love a creepy tale though I'll add this one to my list!

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  51. I must have missed this fabulous review when my husband was in the hospital. I LOVED this line:
    "Like the slow winding of a clock, the story kept tightening."

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!