Set during the English Civil War of the 1640′s, du Maurier retells a lesser known bit of Cornish history as an elderly Honor Harris reflects back on her life and love. Wooed by the charming, irascible but extremely flawed Richard Grenvile, eighteen year old Honor loses her heart and prepares to marry Richard until a tragic accident changes their lives. Richard and Honor separate (no spoilers, that’s in the first few chapters). They meet years later during the Civil War as Richard is now the King’s General in the West fighting the Parliamentarian rebels – although not all the Royalists think too highly of Richard’s high-handed approach to prisoners and discipline. While Honor refuses to marry Richard, her feelings for him are as strong as before and they begin a most unusual relationship as the tides of war ebb and flow around them.
Honor takes up residence at Menabilly, the family home of Honor’s brother-in-law Jonathan Rashleigh and things soon begin to go bump in the night in typical du Maurier fashion – mysterious comings and goings, a secret door, a mystery floorboard in the summerhouse and….more than that, I’m not telling – read it for yourself. Du Maurier once again weaves a magical tale, albeit this time with real-life characters. The dialogue between Richard and Honor sizzles off the pages, as does the enmity between Honor and Richard’s sister – and boy can those two swap some memorable barbs. The scene where those two sat and played at cards and witty repartee as the rebels sacked Menabilly to its bare walls was just brilliant, as was the bit when Richard over indulged in dinner and wine and called the troops back after retiring – simply priceless.
All in all a very unusual love story and an interesting glimpse at a footnote in Cornish history. I’d love to see this one on film – the actors would have a field day. As for Menabilly, du Maurier rented the home from the Rashleigh family and lived in it for some time and was the inspiration for her most famous novel, Rebecca. Five stars.
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Instead of remaking old movies, they should be turning books like this into movies...
ReplyDeleteKailana,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more!
Thank you for all the lovely Daphne du Maurier posts lately! It's inspired me to buy some of her books, including this one and Frenchman's Creek, for my Kindle and give them a re-read. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting read. I am definitely being inspired to read of her books as a result of all the fabulous posts during the season.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I'd like to pass along the {Booker}Award.
ReplyDeletePlease visit my blog at http://www.iponderthepage.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-award.html to accept and read the rules. Thanks!
Okay, I think this one will be the next du Maurier I pick up. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great. I'm slowly working my way through all of du Maurier's books but haven't read this one yet. It's good to know I can look forward to it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this novel. I remember reading it thinking, this love story isn't that inspired in chapter one only to be shocked by the plot twist. I remember thinking "Du Maurier did NOT just do that!" The entire rest of the book kept me fascinated until the very end. Great review of a book that deserves much more attention than it gets!
ReplyDeleteMy all time favourite book :-) Started me on a life long passion for the English Civil War!
ReplyDeleteI hit send too soon...I have blogged about this book and Du Maurier in my own blog post at Hoydens and Firebrands http://hoydensandfirebrands.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/kings-general.html
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