Daphne Du Maurier Forum
Archive 2011

PS I'm not in the USA, not sure what I did wrong there!
Kate
- Monday, December 12, 2011 at 17:22:17 (GMT) Chris, thanks for your input. I'm really undecided how best to sell the books - if they have any value that is - and if anyone else has any ideas about this or the identity of Ivy Snowball, I would love to hear them. Thanks in advance!
Kate
USA - Monday, December 12, 2011 at 17:20:48 (GMT) Kate, I came across a 2003 auction listing as follows: "Personal correspondance between Daphne Du Maurier and Ivy Snowball who looked after 'Margaret' - nanny to the Browning children letters, poscards and two Christmas cards on the subject of family, the house 'Menabilly' used in 'Rebecca', the ill health of General 'Boy' Browning, etc." From "A Daughter's memoir" (by Flavia Leng, Daphne's daughter) we can learn that Nanny's surname was Egglesfield; and that in September 1944 she was often ill with headaches and was sent away to stay with friends nearby. In Summer 1946 she left for good - she "went away to stay with friends and did not come back." Whether this was Ivy Snowball I do not know - but it would make sense. Apparently though, Nanny made a good recovery and at the time the memoir was written (1994) she was still alive. Others may know more!
Chris
- Monday, December 12, 2011 at 11:18:14 (GMT) Hello. I'm hoping someone may be able to help me regarding three books by Daphne Du Maurier. They were donated to a charity for whom I work as a volunteer and I have been asked to sell them if possible to raise funds for the charity. The books themselves are not in very good condition but all bear an inscription from Daphne Du Maurier to a lady called Ivy Snowball. I gather that this lady was an acquaintance and possibly something to do with Daphne Du Maurier's nanny? I have two questions if you have been patient enough to read this far: Can anyone provide me with more information about Ivy Snowball or point me in the right direction to find out more? Are the books likely to be of any value, despite their poor condition, because of the inscriptions and signatures? Many thanks
Kate
- Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 22:21:18 (GMT) Dear Forum Members, For anyone living in and around South West London and the Claygate area of Surrey. The Claygate Dramatic Society are doing three performances of Nell Leyshon's stage adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 'Don't Look Now'. The playing dates are the 6th, 7th and 8th October 2012 at 8pm. Tickets are £9. For more information please conatct the box office on 01372 466621.
Dane Hardie
- Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at 10:02:39 (GMT) On September 18th, the local history circle in Vibraye, Sarthe is organizing a visit to sites in Vibraye, Le Gué de Launay and Le Plessis-Dorin where the du Mauriers' French ancestors lived and worked, followed by a screening of "The Scapegoat." Further information is available from the Office de tourisme in La Ferté Bernard or Vibraye.
Anne
- Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 11:22:58 (GMT) Hi Kirsty, My recent research into Daphne's poetry is in the du Maurier archives at Exeter but I never discovered the author of the poem in the Castle Dor Epilogue c. 1961/2. I can only offer my theory that it probably was not Daphne. Her diary MWY (p.100) coupled with references in I'll Never Be Young Again (pp.22-4)imply that she disliked the rhyming convention of blank verse; indeed her published poems all have end or internal rhymes. Also the religious content does not seem to accord with Daphne's views: see her 1947 poem Another World (1947) which may have influenced by Henry Vaughan's The World. Her 1955 poem Apostasis ties with her later essay This I Believe.The Castle Dor poem is not in the style of William Cornish who is quoted presumably by 'Q' at the start of Book One. Perhaps the Epilogue poem had a similar origin? It clearly refers to Fowey and I think it was 'Q' who first called the town Troy in his novel Troytown. If you think this idea worth pursuing I'd suggest contacting the 'Q' 'Society'. Above all remember Daphne's 'chameleon tendencies' to which Margaret Forster refers in the Afterword of her biography of Daphne.Sorry I cannot be more definitive. Regards.
Collin
- Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 10:42:02 (GMT) Dear forum members, Here's a puzzle I hope you can help me with. At the end of Castle Dor, du Maurier gives an ‘epilogue’ which takes the form of a poem, according to the narrator written by “A local poet – a native of Troy who died young [and] left an imperfect poem in manuscript”. The poem begins, "Westward, between the Dodman and the Rame/ There lies a Haven: on this side a cross/ On that a Fortalice..." Does anyone know who wrote this or where this MS might be now? Is it Bevil Quiller-Couch perhaps (he did die young) or is it actually by 'Q'? Maybe du Maurier is tricking us - and it was her own youthful poetry? I've tried the Trinity and Exeter archives with no luck. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Kind Regards, Kirsty.
K Bunting <k.bunting@mmu.ac.uk>
- Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 15:17:04 (GMT) Hi everyone, Here I am again, within hours of leaving for Cornwall and the Festival. I'm looking forward to meeting friends again, and sharing time together. Have a happy festival everyone!
Sam
- Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 19:42:41 (GMT) The is going to be three readings on Radio 4 at 3:30pm from 'The Doll Short Stories' by Daphne du Maurier. Tuesday 3rd May. 1/3 East Wind. Read by Anna Madeley. Wednesday 4th May. 2/3. The Doll. Read by Ed Stoppard and Sean Baker. Thursday 5th May. 3/3 The Happy Valley. Read by Hattie Morahan, All stories abridged by Richard Hamilton. The book will be on sale in Bookends of Fowey & Bookends too as from 5th May.
David
- Friday, April 29, 2011 at 19:06:18 (GMT) Hi Collin, Thanks for the forgoing, I guess you are quite correct. I told Lester in Cairns about our festival, and that I was coming there by train again this year. I find driving a long, boring chore now...... I certainly agree with your opinion of crossing over the Tamar on the Brunel bridge..... Years ago, and for a few years, I took the midnight train from Doncaster, attempting to sleep in in these impossibly uncomfortable seats, and waking bleary eyed at dawn, just in time to cross over the Tamar under a rosy sky, into my magic land, Cornwall. It's years since I last did that, but I've never forgotten the sight, or my indescribable feelings as I achieved my Nirvana! Silly and fanciful no doubt, but I bet our Daphne, bless her, didn't love the far west any more than I do!. ..... Best Wishes all, and see you soon.
Sam
- Friday, April 15, 2011 at 20:14:45 (GMT) Hi Sam, Haven't seen what your Australian friend said but if he alluded to a train journey I wonder if he was referring to pp. 4/5 of Daphne's Prologue to Vanishing Cornwall, Virago (2007). There she describes the excitement of her childhood journey by train to Cornwall with which anyone who has crossed the Tamar Bridge, especially the original Brunel bridge, can surely identify. I'm afraid I can't remember how you travel to Fowey Sam but if it's by train then this reference would appear appropriate? Best wishes and see you again soon for another pint in The Galleon perhaps.
Collin
- Friday, April 15, 2011 at 19:00:35 (GMT) and didn't Daphne write a story about a train journey Third time lucky, without arrows maybe? Wish me luck. Sam
Sam <samrim@tiscali.co.uk>
- Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:12:59 (GMT) I copied and pasted...... > ....but previous message lost it, so here goes again! Best Wishes all Sam
Sam <samrim@tiscali.co.uk>
- Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:10:12 (GMT) Hello everyone, less than a month to go! An internet friend in Cairns Australia ended with a cryptic message which intrigues me. I've no awareness of to what he refers. Can anyone throw any light on it please? > Best Wishes all!
Sam <samrim@tiscali.co.uk>
- Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:03:39 (GMT) It was good to see all the publicity that Ann has got for finding these lost stories, I can not wait to get down to Fowey to buy a copy and she her at the Festival along with Polly Samson & Helen Taylor talking about “The Doll”. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-12549472 It looks a very exciting programme this year. See you all in May, John.
John Chapman
- Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 11:30:49 (GMT) It has been interesting to see the comments regarding e-books and the use of the Kindle. I, too, wondered if I could ever give up holding a wonderful, hard-bound book in my hands, turning the pages, and even the smell of some of my very old, most beloved novels. I admit I am fairly advanced technologically. I work with computers daily and tend to buy the latest gadgets. Estimates here in the U.S. were that the newest version, the Kindle 3, sold more than 8 million units in a very short period of time. This exceeded all expectations. As someone who travels quite often, I have found my Kindle to be indispensable. I currently have approximately 60 books, most of which are classics, loaded on my Kindle. I have personally found the transition to be much easier than I'd ever imagined. While I am only 47 years old, my eyesight is extremely poor. The ability to enlarge the font has made reading much easier. I will be the one person (it appears) that will be waiting for the day when I can download and willingly pay for copies of every Daphne du Maurier I can find.
Alicia
- Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 01:45:04 (GMT) For Daphne fans living near Northampton there is an opportunity to see one of her rarely staged plays. The Years Between is at the Royal and Derngate Theatre from February 4th to 26th.
Linda
- Monday, January 31, 2011 at 13:54:04 (GMT) I have been enjoying the pros and cons of e-books. I received one as a Christmas gift in 2009. I probably would have never bought one for myself but I like it very much. My local library has a lending program for e-books and they have a very good selection of titles. However, I don't believe the electronic books will ever take the place of hardback books. I like the feel of holding one in my hands and keeping it on my shelf forever.
Mildred Upton
- Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 14:12:33 (GMT) Seeing Ann's very interesting, not to say thought provoking, contribution, I feel I need to 'nail my flag to the mast'. I saw a question with which I felt able to help, a question asking for information about electronic readers and Daphne's availability there...... My brother had such a device bought him for Christmas. He is elderly, and in indifferent health, and is delighted with his Kindle. It is light weight, and has varying font sizes, which seems a boon for someone with poor eyesight and aching bones. Additionally there is a wealth of material currently available which is out of copyright and very modestly priced.. He has been particularly delighted to find a list of the novels of a very old favourite Jeffery Farnol ( a favourite of mine too). Whether it will prove a 'nine day wonder' when he looks for his latest Wilbur Smith, or Frederick Forsyth, at a price not dramatically less than for a hard back book, remains to be seen. Coincidentally I am just reading Jeffery's 'Jade of Destiny' again with great pleasure. My very old copy has a font size about 5 or 6, which tries my eyesight severely....... I read in the newspaper that the availability of 'out of copyright' material is boosting, quite phenomenally, the sale and presumably the reading of 'classics'. This I see as a positive outcome, as far as it goes, given that the younger generation who especially seem to delight in new technology, are being brought however unwittingly to excellent literature. The library service with which I have dealings is compelled to embrace new technology to attract customers. Indeed the young are a target clientèle, and the library service does seem to be having some success, though not extensively in the sphere of actually reading books! The genre apparently most appreciated by teenagers is 'manga', which is a 'closed book' to me, to coin a phrase. They are Japanese, martial arts cartoon books, put together in an oriental style (I gather) with reverse binding. That, it would appear is what our beloved Daphne has to contend with! …... One wonders if this latest gimmick, kindle books and the like, if so it proves may act as a bridge, encouraging a younger readership to progress from modestly priced classics to actual books in a wider genre. Obviously this speculation is uncertain, only time will tell if electronic reading gadgets will really 'catch on' or whether new enthusiasts for books will arrive; what is sure from this writer's own experience is how few books aimed at teenagers are actually borrowed. It does seem that once teenagers have crammed for exams from set books, many seem surfeited with reading and drift away, possibly rarely to return. When I was young there were books, and there was radio, cinema, newspapers and later, television. The astonishing variety of media allowing communication now, without contact, confuses the eye as much as it encourages competition...... While I as an older reader can see the advantages of electronic readers, and can see a day when books are too heavy, or the print is too small, I have no plans to buy one yet. I have always loved books, their shape, colour, weight, (smell even!), I love the real pleasure I have holding an old treasured copy in my hands, remembering all the pleasure I've derived from exploring it's mysteries. Equally, I savour my sense of anticipation when I hold a brand new pristine copy of a favourite author's latest oeuvre. I cannot imagine the same feeling if delivered in a form similar to that of another of my bêtes noire, the mobile phone. Long live books and bookshops and public libraries, I say!...... I just hope my mast is high enough...... Best Wishes all.
Sam
- Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 08:36:15 (GMT) As many of you will know David and I run the two bookshops in Daphne du Maurier’s home town of Fowey. When I looked at the guest page today I was interested in the conversation that has been going on about e-books, Kindle and Amazon, mainly because if anything will bring about the demise of independent bookseller is will be Amazon and electronic text. My personal belief is that e-books such as the Kindle will be very much like Betamax videos and eight-track cassettes. Technology is moving so fast that I am sure they will be by-products on the way to finding increasingly innovative methods of reading text electronically. Stephen Fry has said that bookshops could go the way of blacksmiths. However, the main purpose of my message today is to ask all you bookish people out there to think about the good old paper book and take a look at CAMBO – the Campaign For Real Books. CAMBO was formed in 2010 in response to the concerns of bibliophiles, book lovers, booksellers and all those connected with real books. Membership of CAMBO, at quite a small annual subscription fee, entitles you to ten per cent discount on book purchases over £10 when bought at both new and second-hand bookshops participating in the scheme. CAMBO also plans to support the real book in as many ways as it can and its excellent website will tell you more. Log in to www.campaignforrealbooks.org/ . Join CAMBO, use your bookshop and keep real books very much part of our lives.
Ann
- Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 13:27:11 (GMT) Hello Collin, A happy new year to you too! The list of events which David has just posted for the du Maurier looks very good indeed, and has prompted me to check that my room is available and saved for me. So in all the gloom: news, cold, dark etc, it's great to have the Festival to anticipate isn't it All the Best everyone, see you in May hopefully!
Sam
- Friday, January 21, 2011 at 09:45:45 (GMT) I was able to get to the list of books available on Kindle. They are on the UK version of Amazon only. They do not appear on the U.S. Amazon site. I do not believe my U.S. account can purchase through the UK site.
Alicia
- Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 19:40:29 (GMT) Alicia,I believe that by checking the Kindle tab there are currently just 8 du Maurier titles recorded as available in Kindle format, priced in $. Ordering a book from Amazon prompts a question on your interest in Kindle so hopefully the full range listed under All Formats will eventually be available in Kindle. Best wishes.
Collin
- Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 19:23:56 (GMT) Thank you Sam, but when I go to the link provided it only gives me a list of books available. Not a single one is available for Kindle. Is this possibly because I'm in the U.S.??
Alicia <lish@cebridge.net>
- Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 02:46:16 (GMT) Sam, Very many thanks for this and nice to hear from you again on Members Forum. Your Kindle availability website is most useful since I've been debating whether to invest in an e-reader.Incidentally, I found that the address only works when '0' is entered as a number but that may just be me! Best personal wishes and Happy New Year.
Collin
- Monday, January 17, 2011 at 14:58:41 (GMT) The bracketed url front and back should have created a direct link, sorry. Please just type in the body of the address!
Sam
- Monday, January 17, 2011 at 07:45:42 (GMT) Hello, Thanks for joining us; I have found the list of kindle books by Daphne. I'm surprised there aren't more, but guess that's because Kindle is relatively new! Here's the website. [URL]http://www.amazon.com/Daphne-DuMaurier/e/B000APKF3C[/URL] Best Wishes
Sam
- Monday, January 17, 2011 at 07:41:19 (GMT) I am new to this forum, but a lifelong fan of Daphne du Maurier. Rebecca was the beginning of my love of reading. I've attempted to browse through forum posts and can't seem to find an available search, so if this has been asked previously I apologize. Will any of her books ever be available as e-books? I own just about all of her novels but would love the ability to purchase them again for my Kindle. I notice an advertisement for Kindle appears when I visit this website, though I realize that may be directed at me due to browsing history. Any response would be appreciated.
Alicia <lish@cebridge.net>
- Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 00:30:58 (GMT)

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