Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Daphne du Maurier Collection 'After Midnight' Celebrates Gothic Queen
Imagine a queen who tells really spooky and sometimes funny stories.
That queen is Daphne du Maurier.
A new book called 'After Midnight' has gathered many of her best spooky tales.
Some stories are about people seeing strange things, like animals acting like humans or creepy ghosts.
Others are about relationships and hidden feelings that lead to trouble.
Even though the stories are scary, they often have funny parts too.
The book includes famous stories like 'The Birds' and 'Don't Look Now.'
A famous writer named Stephen King even wrote an introduction for it.
Reading these stories is like going on a thrilling adventure with a master storyteller.
It's a great way to discover why she's considered the queen of spooky, mysterious tales.
The collection 'After Midnight' by Virago Modern Classics compiles Daphne du Maurier's major short stories and novellas.
The book includes well-known works such as 'The Birds,' 'Don't Look Now,' and 'The Apple Tree,' alongside lesser-known tales.
Du Maurier's stories are characterized by their creepy, gothic, and bizarre nature, often blending humor with the paranormal.
Many stories are told from a male, often middle-aged, perspective, exploring themes of obsession and inner turmoil.
The collection is presented as a significant revival of literary fiction and the short story form, showcasing du Maurier's lasting impact on gothic literature.
- Who
- Daphne du Maurier
- What
- A new collection of her major short stories and novellas titled 'After Midnight'.
- When
- The collection features stories originally published from 1952 onwards.
- Where
- The stories are set in various locations including Venice, London, and a fictional sea-town in Greece.
- Why
- To celebrate and showcase du Maurier's significant contributions to gothic and paranormal fiction, highlighting her unique narrative style.
- Author
- Daphne du Maurier
- Collection Title
- After Midnight
- Publisher
- Virago Modern Classics
- Number of Stories
- 13
- Publication Year of Collection
- 2024 (implied)
- Introduction By
- Stephen King