The House on the Strand - help with the ending?

[BIWI]

I love Daphne du Maurier, and bought this book recently. It was one I hadn't heard of.

It took me a bit of time to get into it, but when I did I really enjoyed it. But the end really puzzled me.

I gather from what I've read that DdM also left it open/deliberately vague.

I'd be really interested if anyone else has read it, to know what your theory is about the ending? It's left me feeling vaguely dissatisfied!

I love The House on the Strand, one of my favourite books ever.

Re the ending - spoiler alert obviously (if you can have a spoiler alert for a book that's -what - 60-odd years old?!). Look away now if you don't want to know etc.

But I took it to mean that a) he's begun to feel the physical effects/side effects which were completely unknown, and the only person who could have possibly helped him with it is gone; b) he's got no intention of going to live a "normal"family life any more and c) he's still addicted, to the drug and to the other world.

I also think the ending is meant to leave you dissatisfied, I know exactly what you mean when you say that. I think DDM wanted the book to be to the reader like the drug is to Dick. That's it, there's no more - and you feel like he feels.

That's what I reckon anyway! What did you think?

I don't know why duMaurier isn't given more credit for being such a fantastic writer. Love her.

It's a while since I've read it, but I always thought he was suffering the start of paralysis and that he was likely to die where he was. Thoroughly cheerful stuff. I must reread it!

I've literally just finished it a few minutes ago and got my phone out to see what others thought the ending meant. I took it to be the beginnings of paralysis which would kill him. The doctor knew this would happen but didn't want him to know so didn't tell him.

I agree with the people above - DDM is an amazing author. I felt addicted to this book in the same way dick was addicted to visiting the 14th century world. I kept sneaking off to get another fix!!

Despite that addictiveness I'm not sure whether I entirely enjoyed the book. It's not my favourite DDM book but does have s very interesting and intriguing aspect to it.

Hello Kgreene, I stumbled across this thread by accident. It's years since I read The House on the Strand. It's definitely one of my all-time favourite books, however, I too, can't decide whether I find it actually "enjoyable", which is rather odd for a favourite read... I am fascinated that you felt addicted to the book because I had exactly the same experience, but not in the normal "I couldn't put it down" way, much more unsettling than that - more like a drug addiction. I have read the book a couple of times, with a few years between readings and each time I felt like it took over my brain and really distracted me from normal life. Certainly as the story goes on and Roger's life deteriorates I felt increasingly disturbed and helplessly absorbed into the book. It sits on my bookshelf but I'm not sure if or when I'll read it again!

It's certainly a very different and clever book, and unusual how addictive the book was, considering the addiction storyline. I wonder how she did it!

Thanks for the mention of this. Very addictive!

@Kgreene11

I've literally just finished it a few minutes ago and got my phone out to see what others thought the ending meant. I took it to be the beginnings of paralysis which would kill him. The doctor knew this would happen but didn't want him to know so didn't tell him.

I agree with the people above - DDM is an amazing author. I felt addicted to this book in the same way dick was addicted to visiting the 14th century world. I kept sneaking off to get another fix!!

Despite that addictiveness I'm not sure whether I entirely enjoyed the book. It's not my favourite DDM book but does have s very interesting and intriguing aspect to it.

Exactly this

I love DDM - loved My cousin Rachel almost as much as Rebecca

I too love DdM. It's a long time since I read House on the Strand but it left a lasting impression on me, always been fascinated about "time travel" especially backwards in time, that's the best.

Just realised the last time I read it was 32 years ago!! I must re read it and come back to this thread.

This is my favourite du Maurier, closely followed by Rule Britannia. Both great reads which haven't dated. Still have them on my bookshelf 40 years later.

I've just lent it to a friend. Dying to hear what she makes of it....!!