Daphne du Maurier

[Amy]

Hey Amy! (Hey, another Amy... is that allowed?! B) ). I really fancy getting hold of the companion as I enjoy reading criticism on DdM - it really deepens her work.

 

So Helen Taylor was your supervisor? That's amazing! (On a nosey tip: what was your PhD topic?)

 

Sorry for confusing things by being called Amy!

 

My PhD wasn't Du Maurier related. Helen Taylor also specialises in American literature and has written on Tennessee Williams - hence her being my supervisor as my PhD was on American drama and homosexuality.

 

I actually bought it today, so I'll let you know if it is any good - although I don't know enough about Du Maurier to be too specific. It as a section on Du Maurier by people who knew her, a section of a few essays specifically on Rebecca and some essays on adapting her work for film, amongst other sections. There is also a rediscovered short story.

 

I thought I might get it signed by her as a memento...

[Angel]

I'm just starting one of Du Maurier's lesser known works - The Parasites. Not too bad so far

[madcow]

Because I did far better than I thought in my appraisal at work I have treat myself to a box set of 10 Daphne Du Maurier books.

 

Ps Kat don't tell your dad!

[Lilywhite]

My lips are sealed

 

I may have to borrow these at some point though, I know I have read some DdM but I can't for the life of me remember the titles. It was a year ago though.

 

And tomorrow I will be treating myself to the Collectors edition of Rebecca which I saw and fell in love with. A bit pricey at £18.99 but I will be shopping around a bit first.

[happyanddandy]

The 'Book People' have a Du Maurier offer this month - 10 for

[madcow]

That's the one i've ordered! A lady at work sometimes brings a catalogue in.

[happyanddandy]

That's the one i've ordered! A lady at work sometimes brings a catalogue in.

 

They have a website - you can do your own order and earn points towards free books although I suppose you don't pay postage if you order off someone's catalogue!

[madcow]

You shouldn't tell me things like that, I have NO will power lol.

[JudyB]

I've treated myself to the set of 10 already - very pleased with them.

[Weave]

I have 'My Cousin Rachel' but I have still to start it x

[~Andrea~]

Started My Cousin Rachel last week and half way through. Its brilliant, so far my favourite read of the year. I'd forgotten how much I like Ddm. I also have the house on the strand on my shelf. Must read that soon. I love the way she gets inside the mind of her characters so that you see all their interior thoughts. Brilliant.

[scottishbookworm]

I once read rebecca it's a great book about a lady in a loveless marriage.

 

[KAY]

The Jamacian inn is equally as good as Rebecca. Fantastically satisfying reads.

 

Has anyone read "The scapegoat" or "House on the strand". I want to read one or the other but i would like to choose one thats as good as rebecca or the jamacian inn that ive already read.

[~Andrea~]

The house on the strand is on my tbr and is highly recommended by my mum (who is 10x the bookworm I am) so I would go for that one.

[JudyB]

The Jamacian inn is equally as good as Rebecca. Fantastically satisfying reads.

 

Has anyone read "The scapegoat" or "House on the strand". I want to read one or the other but i would like to choose one thats as good as rebecca or the jamacian inn that ive already read.

 

 

I've got The House on the Strand - still to be read.

[KAY]

Well i decided upon reading the scapegoat. i am half way through and it is brillliant. it's not in the same leaugue as the "Jamacian Inn" and "Rebecca" but it has been a real page turner. I can be a very slow reader but i can't put it down.

It is not one of her well known books but i am really enjoying it. It is about an English man and a french man who meet in france and find they look identical in every way.They could be twins. They end up swopping lives and identities to experience how the other half live, this is unknown to their families.

[~Andrea~]

That sounds good Kay. I've never heard of it, perhaps I will put it on my wish list.

[Gelfling]

I love Daphne du Maurier. Has anyone read any of her short stories? I have read "The Birds and other stories," and "The Rendevouz and other stories." The latter wasn't so good, but the former is a delightfully dark collection of tales. Don't Look Now is also very atmospheric. She really let her darker side run wild with her short stories...it's no wonder many of them ended up as iconic horror films.

[~Andrea~]

I love her short stories. I have 3 collections, The Birds, Don't look now and The Blue Lenses.

 

I can't remember which collection contains which stories exactly.

 

My fave short story has to be The Blue Lenses, but all three title stories are excellent as are many of the others in each collection.

 

I remember there being one about a tree in someone's garden that was good.

[Gelfling]

I love her short stories. I have 3 collections, The Birds, Don't look now and The Blue Lenses.

 

I can't remember which collection contains which stories exactly.

 

My fave short story has to be The Blue Lenses, but all three title stories are excellent as are many of the others in each collection.

 

I remember there being one about a tree in someone's garden that was good.

 

Ooo, I've not heard of The Blue Lenses. I shall have to hunt it down. I think my favourite so far has been The Birds. It's terrifying, but in a very subtle way.

[SueK]

I'm not sure if she is classed as a Classic or contemporary writer. Has anyone read her books? I am particularly interested in her short stories at the moment (I've read Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel) but I have been reading her short stories recently. I've just read the one containing The Birds and Monte Verita and find the birds so much more chilling than the Hitchcock film.

 

I have treated myself to some more short stories for Christmas - including Don't Look Now, which to me is still one of the best supernatural stories of the 20th Century.

 

Interested in your views

Edited December 2, 2008 by Michelle
merged with existing thread

[SueK]

Thanks for moving this Michelle:) My post must sound a bit crazy at the end of all those posts.

[Michelle]

That's why I add a note to say it's been merged.

It's always worth trying the search facility, as quite a few authors already have their own thread.

[Ruth]

I finished reading Rebecca a few days ago. I thought it was absolutely fabulous, and even though I already knew the ending, there was still a real sense of tension and brooding throughout the novel. I have The Scapegoat on my tbr, and I definitely want to check out more Daphne Du Maurier.

[Jo-Bridge]

I was the same- I knew the ending of Dont Look now and I still couldnt bear to read on at one point with the tension! I finished Dont look Now (short story collection) recently and I'm going to re-read Rebecca. Shes fab!