Just an Ordinary Day

Stories

By: Shirley Jackson

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Mark Deakins, Kimberly Farr, Linda Jones, Karissa Vacker, Gary Bennett

“Jackson at her best: plumbing the extraordinary from the depths of mid-twentieth-century common. [Just an Ordinary Day] is a gift to a new generation.”—San Francisco Chronicle

Acclaimed in her own time for her short story “The Lottery” and her novel The Haunting of Hill House—classics ranking with the work of Edgar Allan Poe—Shirley Jackson blazed a path for contemporary writers with her explorations of evil, madness, and cruelty. Soon after her untimely death in 1965, Jackson’s children discovered a treasure trove of previously unpublished and uncollected stories, many of which are brought together in this remarkable collection. Here are tales of torment, psychological aberration, and the macabre, as well as those that display her lighter touch with humorous scenes of domestic life. Reflecting the range and complexity of Jackson’s talent, Just an Ordinary Day reaffirms her enduring influence and celebrates her singular voice, rich with magic and resonance.

Praise for Shirley Jackson

“[Jackson’s] work exerts an enduring spell.”—Joyce Carol Oates

“Shirley Jackson’s stories are among the most terrifying ever written.”—Donna Tartt

“An amazing writer . . . If you haven’t read [Jackson] you have missed out on something marvelous.”—Neil Gaiman

“Shirley Jackson is unparalleled as a leader in the field of beautifully written, quiet, cumulative shudders.”—Dorothy Parker

“An author who not only writes beautifully but who knows what there is, in this world, to be scared of.”—Francine Prose

“The world of Shirley Jackson is eerie and unforgettable.”—A. M. Homes

“Jackson enjoyed notoriety and commercial success within her lifetime, and yet it still hardly seems like enough for a writer so singular. When I meet readers and other writers of my generation, I find that mentioning her is like uttering a holy name.”—Victor LaValle

Critic reviews

Praise for Just an Ordinary Day

“Jackson at her best: plumbing the extraordinary from the depths of mid-twentieth-century common. [Just an Ordinary Day] is a gift to a new generation.”—San Francisco Chronicle

Praise for Shirley Jackson

“[Jackson’s] work exerts an enduring spell.”—Joyce Carol Oates

“Shirley Jackson’s stories are among the most terrifying ever written.”—Donna Tartt

“An amazing writer . . . If you haven’t read [Jackson] you have missed out on something marvelous.”—Neil Gaiman

“Shirley Jackson is unparalleled as a leader in the field of beautifully written, quiet, cumulative shudders.”—Dorothy Parker

“An author who not only writes beautifully but who knows what there is, in this world, to be scared of.”—Francine Prose

“The world of Shirley Jackson is eerie and unforgettable.”—A. M. Homes

“Jackson enjoyed notoriety and commercial success within her lifetime, and yet it still hardly seems like enough for a writer so singular. When I meet readers and other writers of my generation, I find that mentioning her is like uttering a holy name.”—Victor LaValle

Captures a Bygone Era

Humorous and eerie, but not scary. Made me feel like I was right there in the time period. Meticulous details.

Worth the wait

Listening to the stories printed in magazines during Shirley Jackson’s lifetime or never be published was a treat . Narration was excellent especially with Kirsten Potter and others who fit the characters and gave them life. I only wish there were more!

This is as enjoyable as I can imagine…

Shirley Jackson NEVER lets you down. I have in my 62 years listened to and adored Shirley.
Shirley is a dear friend that I never knew.
The times I have listened to the every single story or book or anything I can, is being with my friend.
Shirley Jackson will never in a billion years be surpassed.

wonderful Shirley Jackson

What a treat to enjoy these stories. The settings are a window to the middle class of the 1940's and '50's as only Shirley Jackson would see them. A marvelous getaway for the mind.

Delightful short stories

This book contains a wide variety of stories, including social commentary, fantasy, humor, family life, suspense, psychological. There was not a story that I didn't enjoy! One of my best choices from Audible.