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The unsung novels of Daphne Du Maurier

36 replies

JanisMoplin · 28/04/2022 13:03

Any fans of these? Not talking about Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel or Jamaica Inn, though I love those as well. But I have been recently reading her lesser known novels and my goodness, they are so wonderful and complex that I would love to do a PhD in them. Such as
The Glassblowers ( historical fiction based on true events)
The King's General ( ditto)
The House on the Strand
The Parasites ( very sad but so lovely)
The Scapegoat
The Flight of the Falcon
Of course her fabulous short stories as well

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JohannSebastianBach · 03/06/2022 21:45

I just finished The House on the Strand and then stumbled on this thread. I read Rebecca years ago but hadn't read any of her other stuff. Really enjoyed it. Going to look at some more of her work.

ARabbitisaBunny · 22/05/2022 14:44

I first read The Loving Spirit when I was a teenager and I just loved it! I have all her books, but re-read Rebecca more than any other.

StColumbofNavron · 22/05/2022 14:35

I’m back to defend Frenchman’s Creek 😀

I think Heyer is overrated (based on only one book so prepared to be wrong) but the wit and dialogue of Frenchman’s Creek is up there with anything Austen has written.

I did read somewhere that du Maurier didn’t rate it herself, but, humbly, I suggest she was wrong.

Notagardener · 21/05/2022 20:30

Read most of these as a teenager and loved them, re-read many of them since and as my English had improved got more out of it.
In fact one of the few I haven't read is Rebecca...

littlepeas · 21/05/2022 19:14

I don’t get the love for Frenchman’s Creek - I didn’t finish it despite absolutely loving Rebecca and Jamaica Inn. Will definitely try some of her lesser known work.

Original poster
JanisMoplin · 17/05/2022 07:13

I realised my local library has several of hers, so I reread The House on The Strand over the weekend. Such a boring title, such a gripping book! My edition had a prologue which explained the book and drew my attention to Daphne's hidden jokes, such as the names of the characters.

Regarding those of hers to avoid, I don't think she has written a bad book but Frenchman's Creek was a bit too Georgette Heyer for me. Not read Rule Britannia or The Loving Spirit.

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GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 15/05/2022 07:49

I read The Loving Spirit, which was her first novel, as a teenager and loved it. Loved Rule Britannia, too, but haven't read any of the others apart from Rebecca. I'll have to give them a go - thanks for the thought!

AllyCatTown · 15/05/2022 07:47

I read her for the first time last year. Predictably I’ve read Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel but also read The Scapegoat. It was good but preferred the first two but still worth a read. I really would like to read more. I did have I’ll Never Be Young Again out the library but never got around to reading it. I have a baby so difficult. Any of hers to avoid?

EmotionBot9to5 · 15/05/2022 07:41

oh the scapegoat was brilliant!

Was that film somersby based on it?

midsomermurderess · 09/05/2022 21:30

I loved The House on The Strand. Such an interesting intertwining of world's. And ends with such a punch.

SpottyStripyDuvet · 09/05/2022 21:29

House on the strand is my absolute and I added it to my reading pile the other day. I really need to check out some of her others as I definitely haven't read all of them.

ditalini · 09/05/2022 21:27

I haven't read it for years, but I remember loving Mary Anne which is about a courtesan in Regency London (apparently based on DDM's great grandmother).

Goodreads reviews are a bit meh, but I'm frequently in disagreement with GR.

Biscuitsareme · 09/05/2022 21:17

Another vote for House on the Strand. Fantastic book, so mesmerising how the main character gets sucked into his addiction with the past, to avoid real life. Relatable too, in a horrible way.

Sulusu · 04/05/2022 12:38

I love all her books, she was an amazing writer.

House on the Strand is definitely my favourite though, it's the one I have read and re-read several times.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 04/05/2022 12:32

I have a copy of The Parasites just come in at the library, but scared to pick it up as I'm supposed to be writing an essay. Must not be distracted!

Original poster
JanisMoplin · 04/05/2022 11:23

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/05/2022 08:16

OP I take it you have read Margaret Forster's biography ? That's really worth a read if you haven't.

I have not! I will look it up.

@ZenNudist The King's General and The Glassblowers have strong female protagonists but they are historical. Maybe the Scapegoat? Jamaica Inn was a bit too much like Mary Stewart for me.

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/05/2022 08:41

evilharpy · 04/05/2022 08:24

Rebecca is one of my all time favourites but I've only read that, Jamaica Inn and My Cousin Rachel, which is criminal really. I've just bought Rule Britannia on Kindle, and added The Parasites to my list.

You're in for a treat ! I'm envious. I've read and read all of her books over the last 30 years.

evilharpy · 04/05/2022 08:24

Rebecca is one of my all time favourites but I've only read that, Jamaica Inn and My Cousin Rachel, which is criminal really. I've just bought Rule Britannia on Kindle, and added The Parasites to my list.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/05/2022 08:16

OP I take it you have read Margaret Forster's biography ? That's really worth a read if you haven't.

ZenNudist · 04/05/2022 08:07

Only ever read Rebecca and cousin Rachel. Found Jamaica hard going. What's the best one to read meet based on the 2 I liked?

SallyWD · 04/05/2022 07:32

She's one of my favourite authors. I've read nearly all of her books.

DrDetriment · 04/05/2022 07:30

Thanks for this thread. I have read all these several times. I loved the King's General and it's one of my favourite books. Honor is a wonderful heroine and it's very rare to have a disabled woman as the central character in a historical novel. I absolutely love the House on the Strand too. The combination of drug taking/time travel visions etc is very modern in many ways.
I remember as well the Glass Blowers affecting me quite deeply. The graphic descriptions of the soldiers and refugees during the revolution in particular.
Du Maurier was an incredible author and will always be a favourite.

Original poster
JanisMoplin · 04/05/2022 07:23

The Scapegoat is very good if you can suspend your disbelief about doppelgangers! There is also a movie version on Netflix but I preferred the book.

The Kings' General has a very chilling and memorable last chapter based on Du Maurier 's discovery of a skeleton in her Cornish home Menabilly ( the inspiration for Manderley).

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Antarcticant · 03/05/2022 20:48

Absolutely love The Scapegoat - more than any of her other books. The King's General is good too.

FleeceNavidadfromtheSheep · 03/05/2022 20:46

I loved the Glassblowers but can't remember it so must reread.

House in the Strand is a favourite.

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