This reading group guide for AFTER MIDNIGHT includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. Introduction Daphne du Maurier is best known for Rebecca , "one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century" (Sarah Waters) and basis for Alfred Hitchcock''s iconic film adaptation. More than thirty-five years after her death, du Maurier is celebrated for her gothic genius and stunning psychological insight. After Midnight brings together some of du Maurier''s darkest, most haunting stories, ranging from sophisticated literary thrillers to twisted love stories. Alongside classics such as "The Birds" and "Don''t Look Now"--both of which inspired unforgettable films--are gems such as "Monte Verità," a masterpiece about obsession, mysticism, and tragic love, and "The Alibi," a chilling tale of an ordinary man''s descent into lies, manipulation, and sinister fantasies that edge dangerously close to reality. In "The Blue Lenses," a woman recovering from eye surgery finds she now perceives those around her as having animal heads corresponding to their true natures.

"Not After Midnight" follows a schoolteacher on holiday in Crete who finds a foreboding message from the chalet''s previous occupant who drowned while swimming at night. In "The Breakthrough," a scientist conducts experiments to harness the power of death, blurring the line between genius and madness. Each story in this collection exemplifies du Maurier''s exquisite writing and singular insight into human frailty, jealousy, and the macabre. Daphne du Maurier is mistress of the sleight of hand and slow-burning menace, often imitated and rarely surpassed. Topics & Questions for Discussion How does du Maurier use nature to explore the human condition throughout this chilling collection? When do we see humans vying to conquer nature, and when do we see humans trying to control themselves? What are the outcomes? Du Maurier''s protagonists are members of the upper class. In what ways do manners and savagery coexist across these stories? Some of these stories are deadly serious; others, ironic. What subject matter does du Maurier choose to satirize and how does this shape our understanding of her work? How does du Maurier build suspense in in her stories? Discuss her style and how she subverts expected tropes in the thriller and suspense genres. In "The Blue Lenses," Marda West says to Nurse Ansel, "The most precious thing in the world is sight" (page 36).

Across these stories, du Maurier is concerned with how perception can be altered and how that altered perception shapes reality. What does it take for du Maurier''s protagonists to truly "see"? In "The Alibi," Mr. Fenton claims to be an artist searching for a studio space, a conduit for his less savory ambitions. How does du Maurier play with the ideas of fate and self-fulfilled prophecy? In what other stories does she explore these ideas? How do the natural and the unnatural intermingle in "The Birds"? How does this shape the narrative impact? If you''ve seen the film, talk about the differences and similarities between forms. "Now go back to your world of men and women and build yourself a Monte Verità," Anna tells our narrator (page 276). What would it take to build a Monte Verità in the "world of men and women"? Is it indeed possible? How does "The Mountain of Truth" connect to the rumored immortality of its inhabitants? Apples appear in "The Pool" and, even more prominently, "The Apple Tree." How does the apple motif serve each story? Compare and contrast. In "Not After Midnight," the narrator is told not to go swimming after midnight; he meets his fate during the day.

What do you make of this? Why do you think "After Midnight" was chosen as the story collection''s name? Some of du Maurier''s narrators are unnamed. Why do you think the author made this choice? How does this affect the story''s point of view and the narrative drive? Which among these thirteen tales was your favorite? Why? Enhance Your Book Club 1. In Stephen King''s introduction, he writes, "Du Maurier''s horrors--and some of these stories are quite nasty--are described with a calm rationality that makes them true nightmare fuel." Compare and contrast du Maurier''s work with King''s. 2. Read one of du Maurier''s novels and compare her longer fiction to her short stories. 3. Watch Nicholas Roeg''s film adaptation of "Don''t Look Now" and discuss it in relation to the short story.

4. Pick one of the short stories and deconstruct it. What makes the story masterful? How the author''s narrative choices make it so? 5. And you can always read or watch Rebecca again.