The Summer People by Shirley Jackson is a short mystery story. The Allison's, Mr. and Mrs. are staying in a summer cottage up in Vermont and it is nearing Labor Day weekend and every year they have always returned to New York to find the weather still hot and have always wanted to stay on at the cottage. This year they decide to do just that. They are gathering their supplies and informing the grocer and others in town that they will be staying on for another month after Labor Day and all are shocked as nobody has ever done that. But the Allison's decide to stay on at the cottage. So, they've gathered their supplies and noticed they are running low on petroleum to heat their home. The delivery man stops by but informs them that he can't get any more gas and what he has left must last him the winter. He only offers them ice. So, they decide that they will go into town to get their gas from the grocer. They also find the mail is lacking and after some days they did finally get a letter from their son, but something seems peculiar about it. The next day when Mr. Allison gets ready to leave for town to get the petroleum gas he finds the car won't start. They then try to call the gas station in town but find nobody there and then soon their phone cuts out and soon they are left listening to their radio which is fast fading as its batteries are dying. What has happened to the Allison's cottage, did someone tamper with their car, and has their phone been purposely cut?
Such a great little story and the setting is so beautiful, it makes you want to stay at one of these summer cottages into the fall as well. Jackson has such an amazing way of telling a story that just captures you right to the end and she leaves the ending in the mind of each reader which I love! Truly a great little short read, take an evening this spooky Halloween season and read The Summer People by Shirley Jackson, you won't be displeased!
No comments:
Post a Comment