NDINE

by Phyllis Brett oung ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 18, 1964

This tidy little tale of witchery features some imaginative accessories. Take an old mansion only ninety minutes from Broadway; a sensitive new wife supplanting one deceased (at least in body); a twittering, looming forest agitated by an uncommon number of electrical storms; a monstrous guest in the house -- the lead wife's brother; two dull witted servants -- and, of course, reliable flimsy composed of pure ectoplasm results. When actress Miranda, fresh from the role of phelia, arrived at the Old House married to Client Cavell, even her good friend Maude, living in an imported haunted house, and her husband, could not drive from her mind some unearthly premonitions. The dead wife Undine seemed to make her presence felt to an uncomfortable degree. Undine's blue bedroom which draws Miranda from her husband's side; two frightened children and a terrified governess; a stone chapel with a locked door; a spool of red thread and the horrid paintings by Undine's brother -- all lead to the point of hysteria at which Miranda cannot assume her own identity. Of course there is a logical explanation for the flowers that never die, sighs at the window, and floating journeys at midnight to the pool--but why spoil the fun? Rebecca in Westchester.

Pub Date: Aug. 18, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1964

Categories: FICTION