Скачать или смотреть "The Birds" by Daphne Du Maurier - BBC Radio production

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Daphne Du Maurier’s "The Birds" is a chilling short story first published in 1952, centered on an inexplicable and violent uprising of birds against humans.

The story is set in post-World War II Cornwall, England, and follows Nat Hocken, a disabled war veteran who works part-time on a farm. Nat notices unusual behavior among the local birds: they appear agitated, gathering in massive flocks and attacking humans without reason.

As the attacks escalate, the birds breach homes, peck through windows, and even cause fatalities. Nat barricades his cottage and takes refuge with his wife and children, trying to protect them from the increasingly aggressive swarms. The government and media initially downplay the threat, but soon communication breaks down entirely, suggesting a nationwide—or even global—catastrophe.

The story ends on an ambiguous and bleak note. Nat’s family is still alive, but supplies are dwindling, and the birds continue to attack in relentless waves. There is no indication of help or a solution, underscoring a sense of isolation, powerlessness, and dread.

Unlike Alfred Hitchcock’s film adaptation, Du Maurier's version is more psychological and claustrophobic, focusing on survival, natural terror, and humanity's fragility in the face of inexplicable natural forces.