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Original poster

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

OP posts:
LuluBlakey1 · 03/05/2022 20:34

I love The Scapegoat. I read it when we were on holiday in France and couldn't put it down.

TheProvincialLady · 03/05/2022 20:33

I read everything of Daphne du Maurier’s as a teenager and absolutely loved it. I had forgotten until this thread so thank you so much for posting as I will definitely re-visit them.

StColumbofNavron · 03/05/2022 20:29

I haven’t read the thread because I am here to say FRENCHMAN’S CREEK. The dialogue in this book rivals anything Austen wrote - and I am a devoted Janeite.

Original poster
JanisMoplin · 28/04/2022 13:30

I think she is dated only in the way that Pride and Prejudice is dated. Women may not be wearing corsets any more, or looking for husbands, but the theme of poor women having to make their way in the world without the advantages of men is perennial.

OP posts:
Coinchend · 28/04/2022 13:25

Funnily enough, I have just started to delve back into her books having not read them for 20 odd years. I am starting a home library but including only lovely editions such as hardbacks, illuatrated etc and have Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and Frenchmans Creek.

I read House on the Strand in my teens but slugged my way through it. I may not have appreciated it back then. May take another look.

LadyJaneHall · 28/04/2022 13:20

I read most of her books years ago though some of them seem dated now.
I read Rule Britannia a couple of years ago and it is very topical - written in 1972 about Brexit.

Original poster
JanisMoplin · 28/04/2022 13:17

I find her so fascinating in every way. The way most of her novels are written from the male point of view, for instance. Her bisexuality. Her incredibly interesting family, filled with courtesans, glassblowers, actors, writers.....
I am thinking of reading her history of the Du Mauriers next.

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 28/04/2022 13:08

Her short stories are just brilliant.
I also liked Rule Britannia (her final novel) when I read it about 35 years ago.
I tend to think that very few writers produce such varied material as she did.

RatherBeRiding · 28/04/2022 13:08

That list takes me back! I read most of those when I was in school, having totally fallen in love with Jamaica Inn. The King's General in particular - and Frenchman's Creek (well worth a read).

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 28/04/2022 13:06

Looks like there are some I've missed!

Thank-you for this.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 28/04/2022 13:04

I read House on the Strand many years ago, and some of the short stories too, but not heard of the others on your list. I shall have to track some down!