The Beautiful Stranger - Shirley Jackson

A wife greets her husband when he comes home from a business trip. But is it him, or a very clever imposter?
Music Credit:
Sleep Time By Rafael Archangel
Music promoted on www.chosic.com/

[@PapilLaq]

When you suddenly hit that "the end" I gasped lmfao really chilling

[@_SunscreenQueen_]

This feels like when your abuser is in « manipulative nice » mode where it almost seems like a different person but deep down there’s the fear of the real them reappearing.

[@citycrusher9308]

Shirley Jackson stories have that strange ''Twilight zone'' appeal to them (though she predates the Twilight zone)

[@Jasper7182009]

I wouldn’t go that far because twilight zone episodes usually had a moral message or they were reflection on American society - Shirley Jackson usually focuses on the American woman married and single usually young or middle-age.

[@vvv-zo9ps]

​@@Jasper7182009??? Lots of Jackson's stories are clearly reflections on American society

[@terryIKE69]

Another eerie & unsettling but thought-provoking Shirley Jackson story: excellent! Thanks for this treat

[@carolrios9216]

What a treat, a Shirley Jackson story that is new to me.

[@lindapreater840]

Gosh how brilliant weird interesting. and utterly well written

[@WindyNightStories]

Yes, it's amazing how unsettling she can make a simple story

[@shreya3531]

Your narration is just so good! 💫

[@WindyNightStories]

Thank you!

[@davidhorn6008]

Glad You think so, I've left, 5.32 - The voice is a drone.

[@calliesoutherland9435]

I am always here for Shirley Jackson 📚 readings. Great video.

[@gbluesky4264]

What a brilliant talent

[@WindyNightStories]

Yes!

[@tracyemilson752]

He’s being nice and she’s not used to it. She is pretending he is someone else that she can like. She is disassociating I think in a way. That’s my armchair interpretation… lol

[@sarahsamaria8283]

For a short story it really punch above it's length. So many things alluded to. A hint of abusive relationship. Is it wishful thinking on her part. Was it a ghost come visiting as a stranger. As always we need a critical analysis to get the full meaning of this surprising little story.

[@StoryVoracious]

If you like Piña Colada...
(with a twist of arsenic and barbiturates.)
I hear, here a coping strategy for a diempowered woman, who knows her husband is cheating...
It's a cat and mouse game gone toxic
Kind of like when you come home and your man has a bunch of flowers on the table, and you know that he's feeling guilty or selling the house.

[@MrRatherino]

really enjoying these..great reading...thanx

[@deborahmcgee7970]

I don’t understand it ? Would someone like to explain

[@laurencehubbard5240]

This story may have some influence on the movie Vivarium.

[@denisesudell2538]

I haven't seen Vivarium, but your comment made me curious, so I read a few reviews. My impression is that the relationship of the couple in Vivarium remained relatively strong, in that they felt trapped together--correct? In this story, the main character feels isolated from her husband, as well as trapped in her life.

[@laurencehubbard5240]

@@denisesudell2538 no I wouldn't say that the couple are very connected in Vivarium. They take quite different pathes. If I remember correctly.

[@denisesudell2538]

@@laurencehubbard5240 Thanks--I'll check it out!

[@eyesofdisarray9967]

I haven’t seen Vivarium. It reminded me a little of the movie Somersby.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Almost afraid to listen.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Wonderful and wonderfully read, as always.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

She does that, gets right down into the crevices and dark tunnels of the mind where light cannot reach - does Mrs. Jackson.