Daphne du Maurier

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 2:40 pm

It's about time we get a thread going on D du M. I've been "discovering" her novels in the last few months and have enjoyed each one. I'm currently on The King's General and was googling the estate featured in the book, Menabilly, and found a link with some interesting info on the author. Menabilly was also the model for Manderly in Rebecca.

MissMarplestein · Post by **MissMarplestein** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 2:43 pm

You know, I've known of D du M forever, but I have never read any of her books. I've seen the movie Rebecca I don't know how many times, but I do believe I will have to put her on my list...just in the few days I've been on this site, my list has grown in leaps and bounds! lol

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 3:20 pm

Thanks for starting this thread. I've developed a renewed interest in her books as well. Her descriptions of landscapes are wonderfully intoxicating.

You might find this articlefrom the Telegraph interesting (How Daphne wrote Rebecca). If you follow the link to the companion article, The Real Ghost of Manderley, you'll find that famous photo of du Maurier on the grand stairway of Menabilly. It's no wonder she chose to write about these old homes that must carry so many stories of generations come and gone.

Du Maurier has given us so many great opening paragraphs in her novels, but I think that intro to The King's General ranks right up there with her most vivid creations.

MissMarplestein · Post by **MissMarplestein** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 3:40 pm

[quote=""Ludmilla""]Thanks for starting this thread. I've developed a renewed interest in her books as well. Her descriptions of landscapes are wonderfully intoxicating.

You might find this articlefrom the Telegraph interesting (How Daphne wrote Rebecca). If you follow the link to the companion article, The Real Ghost of Manderley, you'll find that famous photo of du Maurier on the grand stairway of Menabilly. It's no wonder she chose to write about these old homes that must carry so many stories of generations come and gone.

Du Maurier has given us so many great opening paragraphs in her novels, but I think that intro to The King's General ranks right up there with her most vivid creations.[/quote]

What a fabulous article! Thank you for providing the link!

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 3:55 pm

I agree, interesting stuff and loved the picture inside Menabilly. I can't recall the opening of King's General - going to have to wander back to the book and refresh my memory

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 4:00 pm

[quote=""Ludmilla""]Thanks for starting this thread. I've developed a renewed interest in her books as well. Her descriptions of landscapes are wonderfully intoxicating. [/quote]

Wait until you get to the Bodmin moors in Jamaica Inn - especially towards the big finish. Spooky.

princess garnet · Post by **princess garnet** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 4:12 pm

I've only read Rebecca. There a few adaptations of it including one by Hitchcock and another on PBS's "Masterpiece Theater" in 1998.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 6:41 pm

Thanks for links and photos - they're great. DduM is/was a fabulous author in my opinion.

Here's a link to her website.

There is a DduM festival every year in Cornwall which I would love to attend. A couple of years ago there was a programme on the BBC about her followed by a docu-drama of her life.

Has anyone read Daphne by Justine Picardie? I loved it. It's based on part of her life when she was writing about Bramwell Bronte. She's related to Peter Llewellyn Davies from J M Barrie's Peter Pan.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 6:47 pm

[quote=""princess garnet""]I've only read Rebecca. There a few adaptations of it including one by Hitchcock and another on PBS's "Masterpiece Theater" in 1998.[/quote]

I haven't seen the Hitchcock movie in years. I understand in the 50's there's a film version of My Cousin Rachel starring a very young Richard Burton. It looks pretty rare, there's a listing of the video on Amazon but no copies available.

Thanks for the link Vannessa, will look at it later. Back to The King's General for now...

A D du M festival in Cornwall. If only I could get there one day.

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Sat February 7th, 2009, 7:54 pm

I've only read Rebecca as well. I own Jamaica Inn, but haven't read it yet.