"Moderato Cantabile," by Marguerite Duras

Novella, 1958

Meditative, claustrophobic study of a woman affected by seeing a murder, then returning to the cafe where it was committed. The detached narrative runs over some real pressures from family and acquaintances, dealings with whom seem likely to have driven the protagonist to drink. The dislocation and strange behaviours appear to oppress the book's heroine, who may or may not stand in a wider feminine perspective. A quick and engaging read; gloomy and persuasive, with a dreamlike fatality. 

"The Sundial", by Shirley Jackson

Novel, 1958

A book which roars out of the traps, mixing Gothic sensibilities with dark humour, and which builds an intensity through looking at a family house whose inhabitants believe they're going to be saved from purgatory. This is an offbeat and excellent idea for the narrative, which in the main, trips along nicely, although occasionally perhaps gets a little tongue tied and clumsy in places. The comic elements are cruel although very amusing, with a whole host of odd, although often pretty likeable characters.