The Black House (Mysterious Library) [Paperback]

Patricia Highsmith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1989 | Series: Mysterious Library

WITH NORTON'S PUBLICATION OF "Slowly, Slowly in the Wind and "The Black House, Patricia Highsmith's entire body of work is now back in print. First published in 1970 and 1981, respectively, these two volumes are among Highsmith's must nuanced and psychologically suspenseful works. "Slowly, Slowly in the Wind gathers stories that explore the hypocrisies or the Catholic Church, the writing life, Poe-like horror fantasies, and more. The stories in "The Black House mine classic Highsmith Terrain as they sketch the lives of suburban dwellers that appear quite normal at first but unravel to reveal their proximity to the macabre. Both collections are perfect examples of Highsmith's view of human nature and a fitting capstone to the reintroduction of one of the twentieth century's greatest writers.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Highsmith writes the verbal equivalent of a drug—easy to consume, darkly euphoric, totally addictive. -- Time Out New York --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Patricia Highsmith is the author of such classics as Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley. She died in 1995 in Locarno, Switzerland. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Pr (February 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892969636
• ISBN-13: 978-0892969630
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,916,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patricia Highsmith (1921-1995) was the author of more than twenty novels, including Strangers on a Train, The Price of Salt and The Talented Mr. Ripley, as well as numerous short stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a tight, competent short story collection by the master.., April 23, 2005

By 

lazza (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black House (Paperback)

'The Black House' contains several short stories which are a slight departure from Patricia Highsmith's normal stomping ground - namely, psychotics and murderers. These stories have a somewhat of mild surreal, psychological angle to them. Daily routine life on the exterior becomes distorted when closely examined ... er, or something like that. There is no common underlying theme to the story. They seem to be written over a period of years, published for various periodicals. The publisher decided to, thankfully, give these stories an second life by reissuing them in this book.

Bottom line: enjoyable, disturbing stories for fans of Patricia Highsmith ... and those not acquainted with her works.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I could rate it 11, I would, October 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Black House (Mysterious Library) (Paperback)

Everytime you open a book by Patricia Highsmith, there is no certainty at all about what you will encounter (at least that happens to me). However, this time I found more surprises than usual. Each of the 11 stories has its particular charm, but the one I loved most was "Blow It". It is worth buying the book just to read this story. If you are a woman and you like Highsmith, you cannot afford to leave this one unread. And, remember, reality is more frightening than horror movies!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Talented Ms. Highsmith., December 10, 2007

By 

Michael G. "mikefromrochester" (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Black House (Paperback)

The Black House is a collection of eleven short stories written by highly acclaimed novelist Patricia Highsmith. All of the stories are good and a number of them are very good. Each story has a skillfully written narrative that unfolds smoothly as well as believable characters notable for their easily recognizable personality types.

Many of the stories contain shocking plot twists designed to demonstrate the darkest aspects of human nature. In some cases these unexpected events are rather disturbing.

Recommended to readers who appreciate "slice of life" stories and are not put off by the prospect of experiencing some viscerally uncomfortable moments along the way.