Short Story Sunday: A Double Review of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery and Movie Comparison
Today Kim and I bring you a double review of Shirley Jackson’s classic short story The Lottery, and I also give a film comparison of the 1996 TV movie.
Author: Shirley Jackson
Published: June 26, 1948
Short Story
Short Story Description:
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a memorable and terrifying masterpiece, fueled by a tension that creeps up on you slowly without any clear indication of why. This is just a townful of people, after all, choosing their numbers for the annual lottery. What’s there to be scared of?
Kim’s Rating: 5 stars
Kim’s Review:
I love Shirley Jackson so much; she keeps getting better and better the more I read. The Lottery is one that sits quietly in anthologies and literature textbooks. We’ve all read it, back in high school where we complained about the required reading. It wasn’t until I read it again as an adult that I really understood its value and potency. Everything about this story is unassuming, until you reach the end, when all hell breaks loose, but calmly and simply. And that’s how Jackson gets her readers. A little bit of discomfort here, a little bit of creepy there, but then when you see the bigger picture …mind blown. The Lottery is an extra layer of brilliance since the terror is hidden until Jackson is ready. You don’t see the problem until the end. And then, the goosebumps raise on your skin and the story sticks with you for days. Genius in every way!
Jessica’s Rating: 4 Stars
Jessica’s Review:
I read this one back in high school and really enjoyed the story. As an adult I still enjoy it. What does that say about me???? LOL. The Lottery is a classic short story and Shirley Jackson has influenced so many authors today. Not popular at the time it was written, The Lottery shows the mob mentality and how ‘tradition’ keeps going despite not knowing where it started and why it continues. This short story moves at a quick pace and there are signs showing what is to come, but until you reach the end you don’t see it for what it is.
This is one lottery you don’t want to win! I also realize that I need to read more by Shirley Jackson….
1996 TV Movie Comparison
Jessica’s Rating: 4 Stars
**I was unable to find a trailer of the movie, which is understandable as it was a tv movie. I was able to find the movie poster**
I watched the tv movie version from 1996. I watched this as a teen and remember enjoying it and also enjoyed it as an adult. This version stars Dan Cortese (I have no idea who he is), Keri Russell (Felicity) , and William Daniels( Mr. Feeny!!!) Again, what does it say that I enjoyed this film?!?!? I can’t help it that I enjoy dark situations that could actually happen!
You can’t really compare this film to the short story: It takes Shirley Jackson’s story and brings it to present day (in 1996) and builds upon the story. Jason Smith’s dad just passed away and there is a mystery to his mom’s death when he was a child. Jason’s father wanted his ashes poured over his wife’s grave, thus begins Jason’s journey to Small Town America (New Hope) and a journey he never expected, including a romance with a small town girl torn between family and tradition and an altogether possible different life.
Despite the cheesiness of the Lifetime-esque movie, it still has aged relatively well and does the Shirley Jackson short story proud.
VIDEO Sunday Series Review of Asylum I & II by Sian B. Claven
Today we bring you Kim’s series review of Asylum I & II by Sian B. Claven. This time the review is different: She did a video review! Kim felt she could bring better words talking versus typing.
**DISCLAIMER**
These books will NOT be for everyone: Proceed with Caution!
Books in the Series:
Asylum I
Asylum II
Asylum I
Published: February 15, 2019
253 Pages
Hans is a brilliant doctor, sent to an Asylum in the middle of nowhere to continue his post-world war experiments on the insane.
Karen is a bubbly nurse whose sole intention in the world is to do good and help those that cannot help themselves.
Good intentions cross into power hungry mania in this horrific tale of how all their failed experiments come back to haunt them, and how the Asylum holds its own secrets.
“Asylum makes your hair stand on end. This is creepy and dark, yet incredibly fascinating. To delve into the mind of the ‘scientist’ at this asylum is to find sheer madness roiling in those depths, as well as utter self-delusion. The very stones of this madhouse is drenched with horror … a clever and twisted MUST read!”- Elaina J. Davidson
Asylum II
Published: June 15, 2019
169 Pages
For cop killer Bradley Walker, pleading insane was the easiest get out of jail free card he ever played. Left in the hands of the cops to decide where he is sent, he is dropped off at an Asylum in the middle of nowhere. All is not as it seems and Bradley is left questioning his sanity when the orderlies, nurses and doctors all around him appear more insane than the patients.
Kim’s Rating of the Series: 4 Stars
Kim’s Video Review:
Purchase Links:
Asylum I
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Short Story Sunday: The Girl in the Plane by Katherine Center
The Girl in the Plane: A Short Story
Author: Katherine Center
Published: July 23, 2019
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: August 21, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
From Katherine Center, New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away, comes a short story The Girl in the Plane, featuring Cassie Hanwell, the courageous female firefighter at the heart of Things You Save in a Fire.
This audio edition is read by the author.
Jessica’s Review:
This short story is the bridge between two of Katherine Center’s novels: How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire. If you have read and enjoyed those two novels then you ABSOLUTELY MUST listen to this audio short story, as it enhances both, but more so How to Walk Away for me.
I really enjoyed having both Margaret and Cassie together and a certain other character I won’t name: You’ll just have to read it to find out who it is. Listening to this short story makes me want to read both of these novels again. I really loved both of them. I will definitely be reading more of Center’s books!
I also loved that Center read the audiobook. She did very well reading it and it makes the chapter more personal hearing her actual voice reading her words. It was read in just over 30 minutes.
My review for How to Walk Away is here.
My review for Things You Save in a Fire is here.
You can listen to the audio version of The Girl in the Plane for FREE via Google Play or Apple Books.
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