The Doll: The Lost Short Stories

The audio edition of these 13 early tales by du Maurier—originally published in the 1930s—are skillfully narrated by Wanda McCaddon and prove to be as relevant and entertaining as if they were written today. The stories range from the murderous to the humorous, from the ironic to the melancholy, and each offers interesting insights into the sometimes bizarre human condition. McCaddon beautifully renders du Maurier’s characters. And her reading of the title story, a chilling tale of love macabre, is guaranteed to give listeners chills, while her performance of “Week-End”—which chronicles two lovers’ ill-fated weekend away—will certainly amuse. McCaddon particularly shines in her reading of “Piccadilly,” in which a wayward woman of ill repute pragmatically, and unrepentantly, recounts to a young writer the events that led to her fall from grace. It is a monologue that is as funny as it is sad, and McCaddon hits every emotional note with professional precision. A Morrow paperback. (Nov.)