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Original poster

The House on the Strand - help with the ending?

11 replies

BIWI · 18/05/2019 21:04

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!

OP posts:

PrivateIsles · 24/05/2019 00:52

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.

BayTrees · 27/05/2019 22:28

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!

Kgreene11 · 01/01/2022 13:17

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.

MrsAKB · 06/03/2022 09:27

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!

Kgreene11 · 07/03/2022 06:44

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!

Footle · 22/03/2022 16:15

Thanks for the mention of this. Very addictive!

plus3 · 01/04/2022 19:25

@Kgreene11

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

kennelmaid · 01/04/2022 19:47

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.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/05/2022 13:02

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

Onautopilot · 19/05/2022 13:34

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.

MrsAKB · 19/05/2022 22:30

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

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