"Don't They Know, It's The End Of The World," Darlings???????????????????????????????

                                   A Gothic manse, most likely somewhere in New England, festooned with antique tables and chairs, some covered with afghans; tea cozies, floral glass patterned tea cups and pots, a gaggle of garrulous villagers, two spinster sisters--one running the antique shop, the other the library--yes, it is Shirley Jackson at work again, this time in "The Sundial," which is fascinating, especially for those who have read her, for, in this, can be seen signs of what was to come, in her two, later masterworks, "The Haunting Of Hill House," and "We Have Always Lived In The Castle!"

                                     Twelve people, holed up in a house, awaiting the Apocalypse.  That is the plot.  But the Gothic trappings, a dollop of murder, whether it was from a drop of poisoned wine, a push down the stairs, or an ax wielding child, add to the fun; it wouldn't be Shirley Jackson, without these. Better keep an eye on that child, Fancy, I had her number from the get go.

                                        The introduction to the Penguin Edition I read was done by Victor La Valle. Too bad his last name was not  Da Valle; then,  maybe he would have been related to Cruella De Ville!!!!!!!!!! I was incensed when, as I read, he described the novel as "funny:" how can Shirley Jackson be funny?  And, yet, I have to say he is right, though the  humor is very tongue in cheek and very dark.  But it is unmistakably there.

                                          It is an essential read for those devotees of Shirley Jackson.  It is quiet and compelling, and will have you thinking and guessing up until the last page.  Is it one of my favorites?  Not really, but it is a worthy part of the Shirley Jackson Canon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           And no stones get thrown here, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!