Daphne Du Maurier Forum
Archive 2009

Guy du Maurier. Soldier, playwright and... rugby player. One of 70+ members of my club who fell in WW1 and for whom my youth team are building a memorial to replace the 'lost' one.(Gerald du Maurier also used 'to perform to his own accompaniment at our informal smokers'. You can see Guy in a team photo aged 17 in 1882 on www.rugbyremembers.co.uk. I am searching for his letters from Africa and from the Wetern front if anyone can help. Many thanks
Stephen(rugbyremembers) <info@rugbyremembers.co.uk>
- Tuesday, December 08, 2009 at 18:41:20 (GMT) Dear Mrs Healy, I'm certain the Bronte Society should be able to refer you to an appropriate article in their journal Bronte Studies see www.ingentaconnect.com If you contact them (see my letter below) you may find they might be able to either put you in touch with a speaker in your area.Alternatively if you contact Professor Helen Taylor of Exeter University who is very knowlegeable on matters Du Maurier/Bronte, she too may be able to suggest a speaker. In any event please let us know how this progresses. Regards.
Collin
- Friday, November 20, 2009 at 09:14:47 (GMT) Sorry; I meant to say in previous posting: parallels between Jane Eyre and Rebecca.
Mrs K Healy
- Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 09:05:33 (GMT) I'm interested in finding some one to speak to our literary society on parallels between Rebecca and Wuthering Heights. Do you know of some one in the central Scotland area who might be suitable? Mrs K Healy
K Healy <librarian56@gmail.com>
- Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 09:02:08 (GMT) Justine Picardie's Favourite du Maurier extract (see Your Favourite Lines page),fascinates for several reasons not least the one which she herself provides. The extract is taken from a little known essay written c.1961 by Daphne titled: Second Thoughts on Branwell,first published in the journal of The Bronte Society, then called Bronte Society Transactions (Volume 23,Part 2,pp.155-158, Oct.1998). Daphne reflects on several aspects of her biography: The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte and another on the same subject by Winifred Gerin published 8 months later. She also comments briefy on the authorship of Wuthering Heights which to me adds relevance to Justine's favourite Daphne du Maurier line about fact and fiction.Justine alludes to the essay in her own book Daphne, (2008)Ch.24, page 269. Copies of Daphne's essay can be obtained from The Library of The Bronte Society,Bronte Parsonage Museum tel: 01535-640199 see also www.bronte.info
Collin
- Monday, October 19, 2009 at 13:03:38 (GMT) I was wondering if it is possible that DdM could have had this passage in the back of her mind when writing about the horrible dwarf in "Don't Look Now": "...As I got near to the avenue gate, instead of the school on my left there was a prison; and at the door a little thick-set jailer, three feet high and much deformed, and a little deformed jaileress no bigger than himself, were cunningly watching me out of the corners of their eyes, and toothlessly smiling. Presently they began to waltz together to an old, familiar tune, with their enormous keys dangling at their sides; and they looked so funny that I laughed and applauded. But soon I perceived that their crooked faces were not really funny; indeed, they were fatal and terrible in the extreme, and I was soon conscious that these deadly dwarfs were trying to waltz between me and the avenue gate for which I was bound - to cut me off, that they might run into the prison, where it was their custom to hang people of a Monday morning..." from "Peter Ibbetson" by George du Maurier
Jeremy
- Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 22:52:59 (GMT) Further to yesterdays message, the actual photograph of Daphne du Maurier signing copies of The Loving Spirit in Fowey has been found, by Bret, it is in the book Jane Slade of Polruan by Helen Doe. The photograph is identical to the television footage that I mentioned yesterday and must have been taken at the same time.
Ann.
- Tuesday, October 06, 2009 at 18:08:20 (GMT) More on the question of the photograph of Daphne du Maurier signing copies of the Loving Spirit. I had an e-mail from Bret today. He had been watching a DVD of the television programme that Rick Stein presented for the BBC in 2007 for Daphne du Maurier’s centenary and there was a piece of footage that included a young Daphne signing books. I have now watched my copy too and it has to be when she was signing the Loving Spirit, so that is a mystery solved.
Ann.
- Monday, October 05, 2009 at 19:09:44 (GMT) Good news. We have heard that the Daphne du Maurier Festival for 2010 has been given the go-ahead; the dates are Thursday 13th May until Saturday 22nd May 2010. More news as we get it
David
- Monday, October 05, 2009 at 17:29:37 (GMT) This week we have posted to Your Favourite Lines website entries from Daphne's biographers: Margaret Forster (1994) and Richard Kelly (1987): two very different but equally fascinating passages from Rebecca.Richard also wrote Daphne's obit. for The Independent which is reproduced on the main du Maurier website.
Favourite Lines Team
- Saturday, October 03, 2009 at 06:11:20 (GMT) Many thanks you for your reply, Colin. I was wondering myself if I hadn't perhaps seen it on the wall in that wonderful museum at Jamaica Inn...
bret hawthorne
- Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 14:13:06 (GMT) Well Bret that's a tricky one and still unresolved. In Billie Graeme & Jim Matthews' book Fowey Album (1991)There is a 1951 photograph of Angela du Maurier signing her first autobiography 'It's Only The Sister' for Mrs Treffry at what was the Fore Street branch of W H Smith.I've also been informed that there is cine film footage of Daphne signing Jamaica Inn at what was then Boots lending library (same position as Boots today). The young Daphne wearing a beret is sitting at a table. Some stills may have been produced. More on this conundrum as and when! Regards.
Collin
- Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 16:10:33 (GMT) I have seen somewhere - the problem is I don't remember where - a photo of Daphne Du Maurier doing a book-signing of The Loving Spirit in Fowey. Can anyone help me out on this one? Many thanks
bret hawthorne <bret@devonschool.co.uk>
- Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 08:24:09 (GMT) Hi Giulia, A small correction to my previous reply: A Border-Line Case not The ! Apologies.
Collin
- Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 10:45:56 (GMT) Hi Giulia, Your extract is from the final sentence of The Borderline Case, one of the short stories included in the collection Don't Look Now and Other Stories. More information on Daphne's storyline inspiration can be found in Margaret Forster's biography. Hope that helps. Regards
Collin
- Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 19:05:30 (GMT) Hello to everyone! I'm an italian student, I'm writing a thesis about an italian author who in his work quotes many international authors...and it's not always easy to find out who the authors are! Luckily when he quotes a text from a Daphne du Maurier's novel, he says that it's from a Daphne du Maurier's work, but not from which one. So i guessed that maybe here i could get some help! Since the quote is in italian, i'll try to translate it into english so it won't be identical to the original one...but I hope someone will understand it anyway. It's something like "And coming back on the scene, it was not from the Duke of Illyria's Palace it seemed she was coming from, with painted textures behind her and painted boards under her feet, but from a street, whatever it was, with windows to break and houses to set on fire and rocks and bricks and petrol to handle, with causes to despise and men to hate...because just by hating it's possible to be purified from love, just with the sword, with the fire.." Sorry for my horrible english! And thank's for your help..I hope you'll be able to tell me which novel this quote comes from and, if possible, which part...Thank you! Giulia
Giulia Verga <cvaldancer@gmail.com>
- Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 13:28:23 (GMT) I e-mailed Bob with the answer to the question that he posted on the members forum a few days ago, about his copy of ‘The Parasites’, and he has agreed that I can also post the information here so that anyone else who is interested can know the answer too. I have been collecting Daphne du Maurier’s books for many years and have my own copy of the book that Bob described. The book is a variant on the US first edition of ‘The Parasites’ and the front cover is actually a facsimile of a letter that she wrote for the purpose. I don't know how many books were produced with the letter to the front cover, but I have only seen four or five and there could be as few as a hundred or so. I would think it was a publicity idea from the publisher Doubleday, as they also produced a variant cover for the US first edition of ‘My Cousin Rachel’ soon afterwards. In the case of ‘My Cousin Rachel’ the books were marked as presentation copies and the covers were decorated with the titles of all Daphne du Maurier's books that had been published by them. The variant US first edition of ‘The Parasites’ is a very attractive and interesting one, and although the letter and signature are only copies, it is a lovely thing to own. Bob and I are hoping to be able to put a picture of the book cover on to one of the photo album pages, and I can hopefully put a picture of the variant ‘My Cousin Rachel’ on too, but I will need help from our webmaster, as I can’t find a link to put a picture on to the album at the moment, so bear with us and hopefully a picture or two will appear soon.
Ann.
- Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 20:49:11 (GMT) Hello to all, This is my first post to the website, so bear with me. I have long loved Daphne du Maurier's work and the impact that she had on twentieth century literature. I have copies of most of her work, a couple of them even first editions. But I recently acquired from an estate sale a personalized copy of her book The Parasites that I can find out nothing about. The book is marked First Edition. Doubleday & Co. The copyright page reads: First published in 1950 in the United States - Copyright 1949, by Daphne du Maurier Browning - Printed in the United States - First Edition This is more than a signed copy. There is a note and signature which is actually part of the binding, with a blank white front cover which she then personalized. I'm wondering if this was a special issue made for her to personalize to friends and so forth. The presentation on the front cover reads: Menabilly, Cornwall, Christmas 1949. This copy of The Parasites brings to each of you my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Yours sincerely, Daphne DuMaurier. Can anyone shed any light on this copy? I am very curious as to the particulars of this copy for my own enlightenment. I have collected books for many years and have never seen a book like it. Anyone with any ideas, insights, or comments, feel free to email me at the included address. This is quite a mystery to me and I would like to unravel it with your help. Great thanks
Bob Hypes <bhypes@alloymail.com>
- Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 23:36:20 (GMT) Your Favourite Lines website nears 100 extracts from Daphne's work, an amazing response from her fans since it started in January. Most of Daphne's books have been covered with The Loving Spirit holding top spot, followed closely by Rebecca, The Rebecca Notebook, The Scapegoat,My Cousin Rachel, The King's General, Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel and Vanishing Cornwall that tie for second place.Contributors include Daphne's many fans especially fesivalgoers,her family,authors,personalities,academics and are as as far apart as Scotland,USA and Turkey.Daphne's former editor Sheila Hodges having inspired this website and submitted the first line has kindly agreed to send me the 100th favourite line, both are from The King's General. The most interesting aspect of peoples' favourite lines is the widely varying reasons for their choice, testament to the enduring popularity of Daphne's books. Even where occasionally the same lines have been selected, the reasons often differ. In several instances more that one extract has been submitted, which we encourage; the record so far is four. Favourite Lines can be submitted via this website if you are registered and if not registration is a straightforward process. Alternatively you can send lines directly to the YFL team by e-mailing direct to yourfavouritelines@hotmail.co.uk Thank you so much for making this new website such a success. Kits Browning, Ann Willmore of Bookends of Fowey and I look forward to receiving many more.
Collin Langley
- Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 09:59:44 (GMT) Information on Literary Societies in the UK is available here: http://www.allianceofliterarysocieties.org.uk/ Chris
CHRISTOPHER CLAYTON <clayto3h@btinternet.com>
- Friday, June 26, 2009 at 16:53:00 (GMT) Literary Societies. These are just initial remarks on the responses so far. I am not very familiar with the Societies myself but it would be easy to find out more. I know a bit about the Bronte Society which is very active, I believe, and the Rider Haggard Society. For example, some, like the latter, run writers' competitions to promote interest in 'their' writer, produce journals and newsletter, promote meetings around the country (not just in Cornwall!) and encourage research; and I expect are consulted by film producers, etc. This very worthwhile website / forum is to a large extent focused on the Fowey Festival and is great for those of us who are Festival goers but what about all the thousands of 'fans' around the world who will never / rarely get to Fowey? And this Forum is fairly dead much of the year, springing into life as the Festival approaches plus a short while afterwards. There are a handful of other forums, but not very active. And again (this was one thing which prompted me to fly this kite) what if the Festival was discontinued, which we know is a possibility though we hope not a strong one. An active national or even international Du Maurier Society could be a significant force in support of the Festival. Chris
CHRISTOPHER CLAYTON <clayto3h@btinternet.com>
- Friday, June 26, 2009 at 16:48:35 (GMT) Thanks for that Sue, Just to alert everyone to a rather good article in the Times newspaper (UK) today about Daphne,and Cornwall. I really enjoyed it. Best Wishes all
Sam
- Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 07:16:33 (GMT) I agree totally with my friend Sam, surely we already have an excellent website for our comments, contacts, sharing of views and information etc. So many of us meet each year at the festival that we become a "Society" albeit it informal,(and usually in the pub!). I also feel that although it would be interesting to have a Du Maurier house to visit, things are the way they are and homes she had are now other people's homes, we can't change that. To many people, and I myself am priviledged to live here, Fowey is the essence of Daphne in so many ways and her love of it and the area shines through in so much of her work. We go with her on so many of the walks available during the festival and she shows us her world with her wonderful descriptions and sense of place. Sue
Sue Simpson <sue@simpsonPL23.eclipse.co.uk>
- Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 14:30:52 (GMT) Hello, One quick thought before I go to work! I'm unfaniliar with literary 'Societies', but wonder what they actually do that is not already covered by this website AND the du Maurier Estate? I'm certainly interested in anything which protects Daphne's memory, and promotes her fame. Best Wishes 'friends',
Sam
- Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 07:13:18 (GMT) I wonder if others have any views on the disadvantage of not having a du Maurier 'home' or for that matter any other permanent 'visitor attraction' apart from the Jamaica Inn display and the valuable contributions of the book shops and Tourist Info Centre in Fowey? It contrasts with many other writers, including the Brontes, Hardy, Austin, Shaw, Dickens, Christie, etc. Another contrast is the absence of a 'du Maurier Society'. Why is that, considering there is so much interest and one of the best literary festivals in the country? I am 'flying kite' about this, here. Would a 'du Maurier Society' be a good idea and would it be a realistic project? Chris
CHRISTOPHER CLAYTON <clayto3h@btinternet.com>
- Monday, June 22, 2009 at 09:55:35 (GMT) David --- when writing my article about Daphne's beliefs I was able to get a photocopy of her very first short story (in Strand Magazine), by post from the British Library. Worth trying? Sam wrote: "As usual looking again through my program I can see that I've missed as many good events as I've attended." I have just realised from reading Sam's Review that we missed something we had planned to go to as well. But even though we normally only attend the du Maurier events there is more than enough to keep us busy. We share Sam's views on the location and casting of The King's General. We were there on the night the power failed and sat in the cold and dark for about 45 minutes! The perseverance of the cast and crew, who were determined the show would go on, earned our admiration. September Tide at St Austell was a rather different sort of experience. It would be treat if the same company put on another du Maurier play next year (when, so we understand, the Book Discussion Groups might also be reinstated). Talking of which, we will certainly be among those lobbying for the Festival to continue! Chris
CHRISTOPHER CLAYTON <clayto3h@btinternet.com>
- Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 16:28:12 (GMT) In the '80s Daphne contributed an article to The Field magazine. Does anyone know how I may obtain a copy of this article?
David Moscato <david.moscato@tiscali.co.uk>
- Friday, June 19, 2009 at 20:21:42 (GMT) Thank you Sam for the wonderful review of the 2009 festival. Since I couldn't be there in person this year I attended vicariously through your description.
mildredupton
- Friday, June 19, 2009 at 17:56:59 (GMT) Further to Sam's message, I have now added his review of the 2009 Festival. You will find this under 'Festival News' in the left hand menu column, along with reviews for previous years, which somehow had been omitted from this website's recent update.
John
- Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 21:58:21 (GMT) Hello everyone, Back from the Festival 3.5 weeks ago, and it all seems like a lovely dream! I've sent my 'report' to John, our webmaster, and it should be available for inspection soon. It's just MY perception of course, and I hope other attendees will submit THEIR take on all that happened. Best Wishes 'friends',
Sam
- Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 22:47:49 (GMT) What a wonderful du Maurier festival once again, a very big thank you must go to Jonathan Aberdeen, Kate Mackrell and their team for all the hard work and hours that they put in. We need to make sure that the new Cornwall Council makes provisions for the festival to go ahead next year and that a decision is made as quickly as possible so that Jonathan can get on with the planning. The festival is very important to all the thousands of local people and visitors that attend it, and to the economy of the area, so your support is vital. I have been given contact details of the people to lobby and will be pleased to pass these on to anyone who contacts me at d(dot)willmore at eclipse(dot)co(dot)uk (I didn’t think it is appropriate to put their details directly on the website).
David
- Monday, June 01, 2009 at 22:11:32 (GMT) Thank you, Ann. Yes, I do have the edition you described, and your explanation perfectly solves the Henry riddle for me.
Susan
- Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 15:41:51 (GMT) This is a reply to Susan, who asked why the 'Rebecca' epilogue referred to Henry instead of Maxim. There is a very good paperback edition, which is available in the US (published by Harper, New York, 2006) and which includes the novel 'Rebecca', followed by a letter from the editor to the reader explaining that this edition also included excerpts from 'The Rebecca Notebook and Other Memories'. The excerpts are a letter from Daphne du Maurier describing her experience of writing the novel, the essay entitled 'The House of Secrets', which is about Menabilly, the real house on which the fictional Manderley was partially based and the original epilogue. This epilogue was actually written when Daphne was making her notes and planning out the storyline for 'Rebecca', but was not published as part of the completed novel. In the original planning stage Maxim was called Henry, but Daphne had changed his name to Maxim by the time the book was published. My guess is that this is the edition you have been reading and so the confusion has arisen because it looks as if the epilogue is part of the completed novel rather that something from the planning stage. I do hope this helps.
Ann
- Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 14:10:54 (GMT) Regarding Mrs. De Winter's first name, in the Author's Note in my edition, she says, "I could not think of one, and it became a challenge in technique, the easier because I was writing in the first person."
Susan
- Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 16:19:00 (GMT) I am also a new member, and my question is from Rebecca--I can't find any mention of the new Mrs. de Winter's first name. Is there one?
Marla
- Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 15:31:24 (GMT) I just finished reading Rebecca, and I am new to this site. Can someone answer my question regarding the epilogue: Why is Maxim referred to as "Henry"?
Susan
- Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 04:52:25 (GMT) From The Daily Telegraph Monday 25th May 2009 by Rupert Christiansen. "Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca is being made into a stage musical, with Christopher Hampton adapting a German version of this intoxicating romance. According to The New York Times, the try-out will be in Toronto, with talk of Broadway and West End transfers if all goes well." Not sure if I can quote it all so have a look at the Telegraph website!
Linda
- Monday, May 25, 2009 at 16:59:09 (GMT) Hello, Another Festival, magic! I'm setting out tomorrow,spending three nights around Torbay, then down to Fowey lunchtime Wednesday! I can't really express how much I'm anticipating meeting Festival Friends again. I hope you ALL have as happy, and fulfilling a time as I intend to do. Barbara and I are staying at the Well House, which I fear may be haunted due to it's great age, but if it isn't haunted, I'll do my best, I do a 'mean' line in rattling chains. Eat your heart out Marley! Happy Festival, 'Friends', watch out for the stick!
Sam
- Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 23:04:08 (GMT) Hello Kirsty, Maybe you have already found more information, but if not you might get it from Dr Christopher Pittard, who is now teaching at Newcastle University. He was has written his PhD thesis on 'Castle Dor'. Good luck with your research! Best wishes Tamara
Tamara
- Monday, April 27, 2009 at 11:31:57 (GMT) Since launching Your Favourite Lines website (see letter 2 February), we have been delighted with the response. There are almost 60 favourite lines recorded so far and we're hoping for many more as the Festival approaches. The most popular extracts are from the following of Daphne's books: The Loving Spirit (8),Rebecca (6),Vanishing Cornwall (5), The King's General (5),The House on The Strand (4), Jamaica Inn (4) and the Rebecca Notebook etc (4).Please keep them coming.I shall be at the Festival to receive further entries and answer any questions you may have. Why not click on Your Favourite Lines like thousands of other Members Forum readers.Best wishes.
Collin
- Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 12:48:42 (GMT) Once again the Festival Programme looks full of interest and we look forward to our annual visit. I note that one of the contributors is Emma Darwin, great great granddaughter of Charles which gives me an opening to refer to a short article I have published on the Devon Darwin 200 website titled 'Daphne du Maurier's Darwin' at http://www.devonhumanists.org.uk/d200dev/?page_id=571 It is an extension of my article 'The Mysterious Humanism Of Daphne du Maurier' which was featured on this website during 2007. It is now available at www.devonhumanists.org.uk/book_reviews/daphne_du_maurier.php Chris
Christopher Clayton
- Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 17:01:46 (GMT) Many thanks for your kind reply, I have located the Quiller-Couch MS at Oxford and am going to see that shortly. I dont actually need to see the Du Maurier MS as I will know from the Q MS what she changed/contributed. However it would be nice to be able to footnote the location of the MS to show I've done my job as archival researcher. And yes, Castle Dor is a fascinating novel to work on, I approach it from a reader reception angle, not so much textual criticism. Thank you for your advice, it is very much appreciated.
DrB
- Thursday, March 05, 2009 at 15:40:59 (GMT) Hello Kirsty, welcome to the website. Castle Dor will be an interesting book to research and write about. I can confirm that the neither the du Maurier family nor the du Maurier archive at the University of Exeter hold the manuscript of Castle Dor. I think it might be worth trying the Quiller Couch route some more, because Daphne du Maurier was given the manuscript of the first part of the novel (the part that Sir Arthur Quiller Couch wrote) by his daughter Foye. Once the novel was complete, it seems logical that, the part belonging to Foye would be returned to her and realistic to imagine the whole thing would be kept together. This is only a guess, but the Quiller-Couch estate would be a good place to look. If you want to e-mail me direct on info@bookendsoffowey.com I can give you contact details for someone that may be able to help you follow the Quiller-Couch route a little further.
Ann Willmore.
- Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 23:31:12 (GMT) Dear all, This is my first post so may I introduce myself...my name is Kirsty, I am an academic and am currently researching a short essay on 'Castle Dor'. I am trying to locate the Manuscript (Du Maurier's half). I have tried the Exeter archive, the Quiller-Couch Archive, Virago, curtis brown and orion books (which used to be Dent, the original publisher). Can anyone shed any light on this mystery? thank you, K Bunting
Kirsty Bunting
- Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 00:07:54 (GMT) CL I think you may have spelt my name wrong in the email address. It's Blumsom with an 'm': paulblumsom@hotmail.co.uk Many thanks for your help. Best Wishes Paul
Paul Blumsom <paulblumsom@hotmail.co.uk>
- Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 12:29:36 (GMT) Paul Blumson, My e-mail to the address given below has been rejected?!
CL
- Friday, February 13, 2009 at 12:11:04 (GMT) Collin, many thanks for your help. I have ordered a copy of Vickers from Bookends. John
John Rose
- Friday, February 13, 2009 at 10:08:43 (GMT) Paul, You raise a difficult area of research concerning Guy du Maurier's War letters. I've discussed with Kits Browning and will also e-mail you but have little to add. You may wish to research the du Maurier family archives at Exeter or Warwick universities but worth checking their archives before visiting.
CL
- Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 20:41:14 (GMT) John, Stanley Vickers' booklet is undoubtedly the catalogue of Daphne's short stories published 1997 with much more information about her novels,films,plays etc. It also charts which short stories are contained in various compilation volumes. Vickers clarifies what can otherwise be confusing given publishers tendency to duplicate. However, Helen Taylor's book (mentioned below) and published by Virago Press (2007)reproduces in Part 5 for the first time a short story which was recently discovered by Ann Willmore of Bookends,titled 'And His Letters Grew Colder'. Furthermore Ella Westland's 'Reading Daphne',published by Truran,Cornwall (www.truranbooks.co.uk)2007 contains an apprentice work written by Daphne aged 19 and titled 'East Wind'. Both these recently discovered stories were of course excluded from Stanley Vickers' book. All are available from Bookends of Fowey,The du Maurier Literary Centre, Fowey,direct from publishers or Amazon.co.uk
Collin
- Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 20:26:49 (GMT) John, A comprehensive and authoritative list of Daphne's short stories and much besides is contained in a paperback publication called The du Maurier Companion (note not The Daphne du Maurier Companion by Helen Taylor),compiled by Stanley Vickers, Edited by Diana King and published by Fowey Rare Books (1997). I'm sure you can obtain a copy from Bookends of Fowey.
Collin
- Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 19:48:03 (GMT) I am trying to find a complete list of Daphne's short stories. Can anyone kindly suggest a source?
John Rose
- Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 17:07:37 (GMT) I am looking for some help with some research that I'm currently engaged in. I am trying to trace correspondence from Guy Du Maurier written whilst he served in the Boer War. I'm sure I've seen on the J M Barrie web site that such letters are in existence but I haven't been able to establish whether they're held in an archive or retained by the family. I would be grateful if someone could help me to trace their whereabouts. Regards Paul Blumsom
Paul Blumsom <paulblumsom@hotmail.co.uk>
- Sunday, February 08, 2009 at 18:24:17 (GMT) Kathy,In support of Ann's comments may I suggest you look at some of the archived pages of our Members Forum. I counted 20 entries concerning Rebecca in 1999 alone, the first Members Forum year that only began in July. The type of enthusiasm which Rebecca engenders in the young is very clear from Mauri's entry 24 Sept 1999! Regards.
Collin
- Thursday, February 05, 2009 at 15:49:48 (GMT) In reply to Kathy, I think younger readers and people new to Daphne du Maurier’s work are still enjoying ‘Rebecca’ and people who read it when they were young re-read it later on. The way it was written doesn’t date and it seems that reading it again always gives you something you hadn’t realised before. I would like to recommend a book called ‘The Thirteenth Tale’ by Diane Setterfield. It was published a couple of years ago and should be easy to get hold of in paperback or to borrow from the library. It has all the elements of a great gothic novel and I think it is the natural successor to both Jane Eyre and Rebecca, but at the same time very much a twenty-first century novel
Ann.
- Wednesday, February 04, 2009 at 17:29:21 (GMT) My favorite book of all times is Rebecca. I'm wondering how people (especially young people) feel about it today, and if there's still a potential market for something like that (more modern, of course).
kathy
- Tuesday, February 03, 2009 at 15:12:27 (GMT) Kits Browning,Ann Willmore (of Bookends of Fowey)and Collin Langley invite you to post your favourite lines from Daphne's work directly to our new webpage. Click on 'Your Favourite Lines' and you will find almost forty entries to date including Daphne's family, others who knew or worked with her and people associated with our Festival. TV personality Jan Ravens who should be at this year's Festival won BBC's 'Celebrity Mastermind' in January 2008 with specialist subject 'The Life of Daphne du Maurier'. Her insightful choices include lines from 'The Scapegoat'. Likewise, Alan Titchmarsh whose love of 'Rebecca' was apparent in BBC's 'Big Read' of 2003 has promised a memorable extract that evokes his early days in Yorkshire. Webmaster John Baxendale has worked very hard re-designing the du Maurier website and providing a method of posting to the new webpage via Ann Willmore. So now we'd really like to hear from Festivalgoers and all du Maurier fans. This record of favourite lines is unique, especially the reasons for your choices. Regardless of whether your favourite lines are shared with someone else, we'd still like to hear from you please and why those lines are special. When you click on 'Your Favourite Lines' in the left-hand menu you will see the method of entering your choice. The actual webpage www.dumaurier.org/favourites.html has further guidelines. You may already be registered for the Members Forum, if not, registration is very straightforward. Many thanks.
KB,AW,CL
- Monday, February 02, 2009 at 11:22:58 (GMT) Re.above: not 'Battered' but'Drunken Boat,'Le Bateau Ivre.' The narrator boat is waterlogged, thus 'drunk.' Without crew or cargo it's free to travel wherever chance and the currents might take it. Free of crew or as Rimbaud and Daphne observe 'J'etais insoucieux de tous les equipages.' The opening line of the second stanza, unusual to quote unless, as her former editor recalls, 'Daphne sometimes became fascinated by the sound of words and rhythm of phrases.'
Collin
- Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 16:39:01 (GMT) My wife and I have recently been reading about the 19ce French symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud.Enid Starkie's biography is highly acclaimed but I'm also finding the recent bio.by Edmund White very readable.I kept wondering why Daphne quotes the line 'I cared nothing for all my crews' (translation)from his poem The Battered Boat (Myself When Young pp.124,126, Virago especially when she adds the words 'et comment!' after her family returned to London in 1928, leaving her alone in Fowey.I think the answer may be that Rimbaud's poetry at that time reflected his strong desire for freedom, a sentiment Daphne shared see pp.102/3 of MWY. Of course there is the undoubted attraction of Rimbaud's symbolism and imagery so evident in Daphne's work. I've also wondered what inspired the setting of her novel Julius. Rimbaud composed the above poem at the time of the Franco-Prussian war in 1871 also the time when Julius starts. Probably coincidental. Rimbaud's poem was a turning point in French poetry. Amazing, at least to me, that he wrote it aged 17. Daphne wrote her prophetic poem The Writer (The Rebecca Notebook, pp 175/7,Virago(2004)at 19 well before her first novel. Just some random thoughts from a non academic.
Collin
- Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:06:42 (GMT) To Colin Langley, Dear Colin, Thank your for your kind answer. I am now looking for the informations. My book title will be "Wings of the hurricane". Sincerely, DMB
D. M. BENOLIEL <dm.benoliel@free.fr>
- Friday, January 23, 2009 at 12:41:26 (GMT) Hello everyone,...... I just want to thank you all for your contributions to the new Favourites Page. I'm gaining much pleasure from the memories they are evoking. Enjoying the images which Daphne creates is for me like drinking a particularly smooth red wine, pure voluptuous pleasure, one savours the words!...... I've not placed a quote yet, but will do when I feel the moment is right. I have a couple of ideas, none better than those I've already enjoyed here though...... Looking forward to Festival of course, Barbara and I are staying this year in the Well House down in town, but I've high hopes of enjoying lubricant interludes in Safe Harbour where many of us have spent so many happy times...... I'm arranging to be a'patron' again, so hope to attend some really good events. Not seen the prospectus yet but guess it won't be too long now! Best Wishes 'friends'.
Sam
- Monday, January 19, 2009 at 09:48:25 (GMT) In reply to D.M.Benoliel, I recommend you read the authorised biography of Daphne du Maurier by Margaret Forster re-published 2007 by Arrow Books. You should be able to order this from the website or directly from Bookends of Fowey. Alternatively, try www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/famous-cornish-people/du-maurier.htm A competent snapshot of Daphne's life.Regards.
Collin Langley
- Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 11:35:13 (GMT) Dear Friends, I am looking for an informations about the period when Daphne du Maurier and her husband settled in Menabilly, and more precisely from what date on, and until when. This is for a detail in a novel I am presently writing. Could any of you give me this information or indicate where I could find it ? With best thanks. Sincerely yours, D. M. BENOLIEL - 5 rue des Orchidées 17640 VAUX SUR MER (France)
D. M. BENOLIEL <dm.benoliel@free.fr>
- Monday, January 12, 2009 at 08:59:31 (GMT)

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