The unsung novels of Daphne Du Maurier

[JanisMoplin]

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

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!

Looks like there are some I've missed!

Thank-you for this.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

House in the Strand is a favourite.

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

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).

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.