“She knew that this was happiness, this was living as she had always wished to live.” Frenchman’s Creek

Daphne du Maurier

My first interest in this week’s author didn’t actually come from a book.  A while ago – about 26 years give or take a few months, I watched a movie called Desperately Seeking Susan because I was a big Madonna fan in the 80’s, and there is a scene where Rosanna Arquette is eating birthday cake and watching a movie called Rebecca. I hired the video Rebecca from a local store – yes, I did say video, and watched it.  This prompted me to read the book which I bought from a book club that I was a member of at the time, and thus began my long affair with Daphne du Maurier.

The book that sparked my interest

 

This honourable lady was born in 1907 in London. The second of three daughters, she was also the cousin of the Llewelyn Davies boys who were the inspiration for the characters in Peter Pan. Du Maurier began writing in 1928 and was first published in 1931. There were accusations of plagiarism after the book Rebecca was published, but everything comes from somewhere and regardless whether it’s a story, or a song, or a pair of jeans, the muse is usually something of the like.

Du Maurier married Fredrick Browning in 1932 and they had three children together. After his death, she relocated to Kilmarth near Par in Cornwall. Daphne loved Cornwall and there is a festival in Fowey which is orchestrated by the Daphne du Maurier Society each year.  I’m hoping to attend in May just to learn more about her in the setting that she adored. This intriguing writer also has her face on a 1996 postage stamp that was released in a set of five stamps called, Women of Achievement.

The postage stamp honouring her

 

Her novels are filled with wicked women and dashing heroes, and set in exotic places. Not strictly romance though, there’s usually some dark undertone and things don’t always work out as you would like them to.  My favourite of her books is Frenchman’s Creek.  I have fond memories of lying in bed for hours reading chapter after chapter of the story of Dona St. Columb and her love for a French pirate. Unfortunately, in the end she – well…. read the book and find out for yourself. It starts off a little slow, but does warm up enough to keep you interested.

Just a few more of her books that I've read

Du Maurier also dabbled in suspense.  She is responsible for The Birds which was the inspiration for the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name and The Apple Tree which is slightly more macabre. I could go on and on about the books and stories that have been offered up by this amazing lady but part of the fun of reading is in the discovery of the work, so I’ll leave that to you.

From what I’ve read about Daphne du Maurier, I think if I’d have grown up with her she would have been the girl I wanted to sit next to in class. Her imagination and ideas are impressive and I love her work. I would give anything to go back in time just to have a simple conversation with her. Sadly, Daphne du Maurier passed away in 1989 at the age of 81 because, we can’t all live forever. Nonetheless I am so pleased to say that Once upon a time in England, the stories of an incredible lady were published and these stories will hold me captive for as long as I live.

http://www.foweyfestival.com/2013-festival/