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What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?
Novella that was the basis for the movie, Hush...Hush Sweet Charlotte
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About the author
Henry Farrell
52 books29 followersHenry Farrell was an American novelist and screenwriter, best known as the author of the renowned gothic horror story What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which was made into a 1962 film starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
Farrell was born Charles Farrell Myers in California, and grew up in Chowchilla, California. Under the name Charles F. Myers, he wrote the "Toffee" short stories in SF magazines in the 1940s and 1950s. Later taking the pseudonym Henry Farrell, his first novel was The Hostage, published in 1959. He would publish five novels between 1959 - 1967.
He also wrote numerous teleplays for television movies and series such as Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Farrell passed away in his home in Pacific Palisades, California at age 85. According to his obituary, he completed another novel, titled A Piece of Clarisse, shortly before his death. There is currently no word on publication.
Farrell was born Charles Farrell Myers in California, and grew up in Chowchilla, California. Under the name Charles F. Myers, he wrote the "Toffee" short stories in SF magazines in the 1940s and 1950s. Later taking the pseudonym Henry Farrell, his first novel was The Hostage, published in 1959. He would publish five novels between 1959 - 1967.
He also wrote numerous teleplays for television movies and series such as Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Farrell passed away in his home in Pacific Palisades, California at age 85. According to his obituary, he completed another novel, titled A Piece of Clarisse, shortly before his death. There is currently no word on publication.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 16, 2018
Another gothic psychological thriller, this one’s of Charlotte, an aged Southern Bell who turned into a recluse after a scandal of her married lover’s murder. The town disgusted she got away with it spread rumours that the body is hidden in the house in a dismembered state, turning the Southern beauty into a recluse.
Decades pass by, Charlotte plays up to the town’s rep of being snarly. The only contact Charlotte has is with her doctor, Hugh, and a day nurse. The house is falling apart and is to be demolished but she refuses to move out of her house. Only one person, Miriam, her only family comes after a long spell away to help Charlotte move out. But something is not quite right with Charlotte, Miriam is sure she is going mad. Things get tense, Charlotte keeps seeing figures but are they shadows, then in a moment of fear, with gun and hand she pulls the trigger and shoots blindly. Not realising that Hugh was there.
This is a short story by the same author who wrote Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, the first few pages are cinematic as the scenes jump off the page, Farrell has a knack for saying much economically, building tension. But then the story goes a bit flat, the Farrell visual flare is missing as the rest of it is concentrates on telling the tale taking it to a big finish with a twist. I suspect this would have been another awesome tale by Farrell if it was of longer length, however as it is it’s still an entertaining read.
Decades pass by, Charlotte plays up to the town’s rep of being snarly. The only contact Charlotte has is with her doctor, Hugh, and a day nurse. The house is falling apart and is to be demolished but she refuses to move out of her house. Only one person, Miriam, her only family comes after a long spell away to help Charlotte move out. But something is not quite right with Charlotte, Miriam is sure she is going mad. Things get tense, Charlotte keeps seeing figures but are they shadows, then in a moment of fear, with gun and hand she pulls the trigger and shoots blindly. Not realising that Hugh was there.
This is a short story by the same author who wrote Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, the first few pages are cinematic as the scenes jump off the page, Farrell has a knack for saying much economically, building tension. But then the story goes a bit flat, the Farrell visual flare is missing as the rest of it is concentrates on telling the tale taking it to a big finish with a twist. I suspect this would have been another awesome tale by Farrell if it was of longer length, however as it is it’s still an entertaining read.
June 9, 2022
This short story, the inspiration for the movie “Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte,” was not in print until 2013.
Unlike other works by this writer, the plot of “Charlotte” does not revolve around the movie industry. Of the three short stories from Henry Farrell only published recently, this one was the most successful. Twisted, of course, and chilling.
Unlike other works by this writer, the plot of “Charlotte” does not revolve around the movie industry. Of the three short stories from Henry Farrell only published recently, this one was the most successful. Twisted, of course, and chilling.
December 4, 2018
Not as good as Baby Jane, but a similar theme, superbly written, and with a nice twist ending. Another great story that inspired another great movie whose main role was made for Bette Davis.
February 22, 2017
it was a good story.. but lacked the punch to the gut that "Baby Jane" had.
June 19, 2016
A very interesting short story, I recommend reading it
May 5, 2017
A fantastic quick read of gothic horror. I loved the movie "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" though it's been years since I've seen it I shall have to pull it out again. Who else but our beloved Bette Davis could play cousin Charlotte? And she did so to perfection.
May 22, 2024
3.5 stars. An engaging short story. A little campy in a Scooby Doo ghost story kind of way. There were some minor discrepancies that got on my nerves, for example, at one point Miriam locks Charlotte’s bedroom door from the outside, but then Charlotte appears a few minutes later. (Was the door locked, or not?) Just minor things like that which disturbed the flow a bit. I didn’t expect the twist at the end. Now I will need to watch Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte.
August 5, 2023
A decent read that was more fleshed out in the filmed version (Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte), but still enjoyable. I wish it had been given a different title. It's title feels like a cash grab riding on the heels of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane."
May 16, 2022
liked better than baby jane’s book!
October 25, 2015
What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte was the basis of the movie, Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte.
Charlotte Hollis' married lover, John Mayhew, was murdered during her coming out party decades ago. His hands and head were severed and his body never found. All that was found was a hand. And Charlotte. In her bloody debutante dress covered in blood.
Now times have changed and Charlotte's home is about to demolished in the name of progress. But Charlotte will not leave and her tenuous hold on sanity may be slipping. Her only living relative, Cousin Miriam, comes to help close the house to try and convince her to leave.
Reading this was almost like watching the movie. And just as enjoyable.
Charlotte Hollis' married lover, John Mayhew, was murdered during her coming out party decades ago. His hands and head were severed and his body never found. All that was found was a hand. And Charlotte. In her bloody debutante dress covered in blood.
Now times have changed and Charlotte's home is about to demolished in the name of progress. But Charlotte will not leave and her tenuous hold on sanity may be slipping. Her only living relative, Cousin Miriam, comes to help close the house to try and convince her to leave.
Reading this was almost like watching the movie. And just as enjoyable.
July 20, 2018
В продолжение замечательной "Беби джейн" прочитал и про Шарлотту.
Автор продолжает истории про немолодых женщин, благо тема оказалась плодотворной и хорошо продающейся :)
В этот раз акцент смещен с отношений на старые тайны и не совсем присутствующее психическое здоровье. Кому как, но мне показалось что "триллерная часть" несколько проседает, в ней не хватает динамики и, главное, внутреннего напряжения.
Поэтому хоть книга небезынтересная, но сильно уступает "Беби Джейн" и не является образцом жанра.
Автор продолжает истории про немолодых женщин, благо тема оказалась плодотворной и хорошо продающейся :)
В этот раз акцент смещен с отношений на старые тайны и не совсем присутствующее психическое здоровье. Кому как, но мне показалось что "триллерная часть" несколько проседает, в ней не хватает динамики и, главное, внутреннего напряжения.
Поэтому хоть книга небезынтересная, но сильно уступает "Беби Джейн" и не является образцом жанра.
March 23, 2016
This is a nice little Southern gothic "gaslight" novel and the basis for the movie "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte." I remember liking that movie when I was a kid and the image of the head rolling down the stairs has stuck with me all these years.
It was a surprise to find out that this and "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" were both written by the same author. I didn't enjoy this one as much as "Jane," but it was still a fun reminder of the movie.
It was a surprise to find out that this and "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" were both written by the same author. I didn't enjoy this one as much as "Jane," but it was still a fun reminder of the movie.
February 22, 2017
This appeared as a bonus short story at the end of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. It didn't receive the same notoriety from what I've researched, but I still liked it just as much. The story takes place in the south in a large dilapidated mansion, inhabited but the old, stubborn Charlotte who refuses to leave. Add a dash of mystery and murder and you have a nice little story on your... hands. Heh.
June 7, 2018
Bonus! This was tacked onto the audiobook for Baby Jane. No fair saying it isn’t as good as Baby Jane. It’s a novella so it’s not as LONG as Baby Jane, but it’s another psycho-biddy treasure all the same.
January 3, 2016
5 stars. Great story.
August 29, 2016
This story was just okay. Even though it was a relatively short story I found it hard to get into and to stay into. It's a short little mystery piece that entails murder, bribery, etc.
February 6, 2022
What ever happened to Cousin Charlotte? What, indeed!
December 28, 2016
Limp storyline with badly implemented "scares". Not a patch on Baby Jane - interesting to see Bette Davis was in both films though so will be watching both to compare.
April 30, 2017
Short, strange, yet very good.
June 25, 2017
Totally wicked. And awesome.
April 30, 2021
Charlotte has lost her mind after being suspected of a crime. But did she do it?
October 31, 2021
My review of this novella is basically the same as my review for Whatever happened to baby jane.
April 18, 2022
Not half as good as Baby Jane. This felt as if he wrote it in mind to be filmed.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews