13th – 19th May 2019
Recently this tweet reminded me of something I had almost forgotten. That I share a birthday with Daphne du Maurier.
I would love to be able to attend the reading group discussion event at the Fowey festival – but of course on a Monday in term time I shall be at work – a long way from Cornwall.
Daphne du Maurier is a writer I have neglected a little bit in recent years. I have read and loved Rebecca, two or three times, and I read Frenchman’s Creek many moons ago, it’s a very memorable one (my new edition was a charity shop find) Jamaica Inn I’ve read twice, and My Cousin Rachel completely enthralled me a few years ago along with the Don’t Look Now stories. I hadn’t read anything else by her until Rule Britannia last month, which I found hugely compelling and reminded me what a wonderful storyteller Daphne Du Maurier was. Coincidentally I had acquired three du Maurier books around the end of last year, since when I have added two more – so the time is ripe for some serious Du Maurier reading.
So, with my birthday this year being on a Monday – which let’s face it – is a pretty rubbish day for a birthday if you’re at work, I decided I would read the Breaking Point stories while the Fowey festival got underway. Celebrating Daphne’s birthday with my own. So, I finally caved in and bought the book. Then I decided perhaps I could even dedicate the whole week to Daphne du Maurier, watch that documentary again and maybe squeeze in a novel as well as the stories. And that I suppose is how a reading week comes about. I’m quite happy to do it on my own, but if any of you want to join me – I would be delighted. I have five Du Maurier books now tbr; The Flight of the Falcon, The Breaking Point, The House on the Strand, The Birds and other stories and Mary Anne. Fairly spoiled for choice.
Anyone fancy it?
heavenali 
I’m in! I have My Cousin Rachel in the TBR.
Oh that is so fantastic, I couldn’t put it down. Marvellous novel. 😊
Brilliant Ali. I’ll put the dates in the diary
Sounds like a splendid idea, Ali. I’ve been meaning to read My Cousin Rachel for quite some time. 😊
Great choice, as I said to Cathy, that is such a good novel.
I remember Flight of the Falcon being pretty good but it is a long time since I’ve read it. I have My Cousin Rachel and Mary Anne currently sitting on my TBR shelves
Glad to hear Flight of the Falcon being good.
I love Daphne du Maurier so I’ll definitely try to join in! I only have a few of her books left to read, so it will be either Castle Dor or her short story collection, The Doll, for me. The books you have on your TBR are all good but The House on the Strand is my favourite.
The House on the Strand seems to be one lots of people love. So glad you’re going to try and join in.
In theory yes (although in practice I may well fall off the wagon when we actually get there…) If I can find my copy of The House on the Strand, I would love to re-read it! 😀
I know joining in with these things isn’t always possible. And exciting to hear The House on the Strand is worth re-reading.
I read it in my teens and was very taken with it. And the fact I still have that original copy (I hope…) does tend to suggest I was keen to revisit it! 🤣
It does, and it seems to be a favourite with lots of people, which I only found out recently. It’s making me keen to read it.
I’m in. (Planning to read The Flight of the Falcon for 1965 club too.)
Ah, I hadn’t realised Flight of the Falcon was published in 1965. I have one or two other options for the 1965 club, but that’s a great one to have in reserve.
What a perfectly lovely idea! I have read Rebecca more times than I can count, and of course many others of hers (that’s just my favorite), and I relish the idea of reading more DuMaurier with fellow bloggers.
Excellent, so glad you like the idea. It’s always nice to read a long with others.
Perfect idea and perfect timing, Ali. Since I’m unable to attend Fowey this year, reading along with a group – and Dr Varnam is the next best thing. Wouldn’t it be grand if her discussions were recorded!
Oh gosh yes, I would love it if there were recordings.
I’m thinking of joining in. It seems I have the popular pick on my Classics Club List, My Cousin Rachel. This would be the perfect nudge to read it.
Excellent, it’s such a good novel too.
What a lovely idea. I don’t think I have any du Maurier in my tbr right now, but that may well change in the future – let’s see what April brings. If not, I’ll certainly be cheering you on from the sidelines. 🙂
Cheering on from the sidelines will be very much appreciated. But I would love April to bring you some Du Maurier. 😊
I’m in! I’ve got the Don’t Look Now collection in the TBR so this is the perfect prompt to read it.
Oh I loved that collection, lucky you. Really hope you enjoy it too.
Yes, definitely. Loved House on the Strand and got plenty on the tbr list. I read Du Maurier as a teenager but missed so much of the subtlety.
Oh yes, I think it’s definitely that kind of thing you miss when you read these books when you’re young. I definitely appreciated Rebecca more when I was older.
Great idea! I have loads by her that I haven’t read, so why not.
Excellent, nice to have a few to choose from.
I fancy this! I’ve only read Rebecca and have watched a couple screen adaptations of it and one of Jamaica Inn.
That’s great, you have lots of titles you could choose from, exciting.
That sounds fun! I don’t have any more unread du Maurier novels but there are some in my library I haven’t read yet, plus I own her Letters From Menabilly edited by Oriel Malet, so that would fit in as well.
And I loved The House on the Strand, I highly recommend it!
Oh yes, Letters from Menabilly would fit in perfectly. I has completely forgotten they existed. How fascinating.
Yes please! I absolutely would love to join in!
That’s great. Welcome aboard.☺️
I am not a very quick reader but I’d be interested in this. I’ve only ever read Rebecca (my only 5* read this year so far.) How many books would you aim to get through?
As a child I used to spend holidays with my mother’s friend at Fowey (the family had moved there from Sidcup, neither parent ever having lived outside London before – they ran a shop, then holiday flats, until finally building a lovely house on the cliffs above the village). We used to go on long walks to Polridmouth, and saw Du Maurier’s house on the way, though she was by then very old and had moved back into Fowey. The train journey to Cornwall was in itself a huge adventure, especially when the tracks went out over the water at Dawlish. There were two sittings for lunch, which involved a white tablecloth and silver service. This was an immense treat, as at all other times we would have had sandwiches wrapped in greaseproof paper. I think this is partly why I love RC Sherriff’s Fortnight in September so much, although that is not set in Cornwall. Sorry for the digression, this just brings back so many memories!
Ah, lovely memories. I will probably aim to read two books, but I shall probably start a couple of days early, so I can get one review up during the week itself.
So we just choose the one(s) we want to read, and don’t all need to read the same one? Sorry, I’m a bit new to this!
Absolutely, just choose which ever Du Maurier novel or collection of stories you want. You could even read her letters or a biography about her. It’s up to you.
And PS, last night I watched the Wilfred De’Ath programme about Du Maurier. ‘Oh this house isn’t very big…here’s my archive room, and here’s my work room, and there’s my library’!!
As someone who professes to love Du Maurier’s books I have far too many left unread so this nudge is just what I need to get me to pick up something of hers. The Loving Spirit is on my classics club list but I may choose something different when the time comes. (Would it be rubbing salt into the wound to also mention that as I live on the doorstep, I shall almost certainly be visiting the Fowey Festival more than once if I can….)
I envy you your location. Enjoy the festival.
I could be persuaded having bought Rebecca for my husband only for him to turn his nose up at it……
Oh dear, well I hope you join us. Rebecca is such a wonderful novel.
Yes, I’m in. I’ve got three or four opshopfind on the TBR plus a bio by the inimitable Margaret Forster:)
Ooh hadn’t realised Margaret Forster wrote a Du Maurier biography, I expect that will be good.
I’m in! Just bought Jamaica Inn (Rebecca is an all time favourite, and loved My Cousin Rachel…still so much Daphne to read) 😊
Oh Jamaica Inn is excellent, really hope you enjoy it.
Yes I’d like to join. House on the Strand decidedly weird but enjoyable! Never tire of Rebecca of course.
Oh Rebecca is so good, I must read more though before I re-read it again.
That’s wonderful. I have read only one – My cousin Rachel but I am not sure if I’ll be able to join in. Looking forward to the reviews
My Cousin Rachel was such a good read, I hope the reviews inspire you.
I’m in!
Love DDM and have many of her books.
Haven’t read them all yet though.
I’m ashamed how few I have read, no idea why that is.
Fabulous! Jamaica Inn is the unread du Maurier on my TBR pile – I’m in 🙂
Jamaica Inn is wonderful. So compelling and dramatic. Hope you enjoy it.
Great idea, Ali – I do have du Maurier’s The Loving Spirit on my TBR 🙂
Oh excellent, I don’t think I know what that one is about, although the title is very familiar.
Brilliant idea, Ali! Count me in. I think I will be reading either Jamaica Inn or The Flight of the Falcon 🙂
Yay, welcome aboard very glad you will be joining us.
I’ve still got a few of her books on my shelves unread, so I will aim to participate. And a birthday on a Monday isn’t so bad if you can take a long weekend and enjoy it. *If* you can.
Unfortunately I can’t take time off in term time just to suit myself, unless I am too ill to go in. So, unless my birthday is on a weekend which the last two years it was – I am at work, as it isn’t school holiday time either. It is just another day really.
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I loved Frenchman’s Creek so much, must be due a reread ❤️📚
Excellent, sounds like a good plan.
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