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A review by rainynook
Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
** spoiler alert **
I listened to the Audiobook version, narrated beautifully by John Castle, who did an excellent job narrating this tale.
I really *wanted* to like this book. I was very surprised that it was written after "Rebecca" because quite honestly, it's not nearly as good. No comparison. This novel seems like it was a first novel, an attempt at writing, while "Rebecca" is superb, and shows off du Maurier's incredible gift as a writer. I thought this one was just rather unbelievable & reads more like a standard romance & little more.
In real life, it is clear that du Maurier was conflicted about her gender/sexuality, & she explained that in a way, she was rather like a boy, and preferred to think of herself as a boy in some instances. There are hints of that theme in "Rebecca" and rather more so in this book, which made the novel feel more modern (21st century) rather than something from Restoration England (circa 1650).
The book did not wrap up particularly well, and ends in a somewhat ambiguous way, which doesn't explain how she will return easily to her normal life.
I listened to the Audiobook version, narrated beautifully by John Castle, who did an excellent job narrating this tale.
I really *wanted* to like this book. I was very surprised that it was written after "Rebecca" because quite honestly, it's not nearly as good. No comparison. This novel seems like it was a first novel, an attempt at writing, while "Rebecca" is superb, and shows off du Maurier's incredible gift as a writer. I thought this one was just rather unbelievable & reads more like a standard romance & little more.
In real life, it is clear that du Maurier was conflicted about her gender/sexuality, & she explained that in a way, she was rather like a boy, and preferred to think of herself as a boy in some instances. There are hints of that theme in "Rebecca" and rather more so in this book, which made the novel feel more modern (21st century) rather than something from Restoration England (circa 1650).
The book did not wrap up particularly well, and ends in a somewhat ambiguous way, which doesn't explain how she will return easily to her normal life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder