Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

The August 2025 New School Group Read is Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier (1941). Daphne du Maurier was a best-selling author in her time and a favorite in this group. This thread may contain spoilers. Please join us!

Yay! Hi! I have already started reading this. Im somewhere around chapter 5, i think. Its a little confusing -was the opening in the present-day and then it goes into the past in the next chapter, or am i way off?

Its beautifully written!

April, I also started early and am almost 40% into the novel. And I was also a bit confused by the first chapter, but decided that the author opened the story with a dream as the frame for it. I wonder if others also thought that.

This book reminds me of an old pre-war black and white swashbuckle film that I watched on television when I was young. Then I looked to see it was published in 1941, so maybe I am not so far off! Was du Maurier trying to write a book that she could adapt as a film? How about Erroll Flynn and Olivia de Haviland in these roles? Does it seem as cinematic to you? Who would you cast today in these parts?

I just finished Jamaica Inn and loved it. I was not expecting to jump into this group read, but I just picked it up from the library and am excited to get started.

Shawn wrote: "I just finished Jamaica Inn and loved it. I was not expecting to jump into this group read, but I just picked it up from the library and am excited to get started."

I read Jamaica Inn earlier this year. I agree. I really liked it too.

I gave the book 4 stars. Really loved parts of it.

Terry wrote: "April, I also started early and am almost 40% into the novel. And I was also a bit confused by the first chapter, but decided that the author opened the story with a dream as the frame for it. I wo..."

I don't know actors much from current times. I would ultimately cast Yves Montand as the Frenchman and Claudia Cardinale as Dona.

April wrote: "Yay! Hi! I have already started reading this. Im somewhere around chapter 5, i think. Its a little confusing -was the opening in the present-day and then it goes into the past in the next chapter, ..."

I am listening on audio and just got to chapter 5!

I was also confused in the first chapter and didn’t think I would like the book from that first impression. I have started to come around though. Rebecca is a favorite and I liked Jamaica Inn as well. I want to read soooo many of her books and many were developed into “Old Hollywood” movies.

I finished today. Even though I enjoyed the story’s escapism, I expected more from this author.

There was a 1944 movie, not very good in my opinion, with Joan Fontaine and a Arturo de Cordova.

Terry wrote: "April, I also started early and am almost 40% into the novel. And I was also a bit confused by the first chapter, but decided that the author opened the story with a dream as the frame for it. I wo..."

Ooo, good questions! Sorry for being late, but i was afraid i might spoil something if i looked over here too soon and i had to pause the book a little. Im not sure im even at 40% yet, but slowly making progress.

As for the cinematic feel, i mean it is very possible that was in mind when the book was being written, or could it just be because it is French? Ha! I mean, arent they kindof just naturally cinematic? I may be exaggerating here and/or showing my ignorance.

Oh the dream thing is a good idea too! I didnt think that, but i may need to read more first.

Ok i finally got past the 40% mark. While i still dont exactly picture this as a film, i really love it! Its so romantic! even just the language, it is dreamlike and fantastical. Im swooning just over the whole picture, not jusr a character or a couple.
Ok, maybe not swooning over Godolphin and his goons. Ha!

Anyhoo, Ive always enjoyed a good pirate story and this one is even better ao far! 💖

I recently found Daphne du Maurier and jumped into this for my second book by her. I really enjoyed this, much like Jamaica Inn. I generally do not find romantic novels engaging, but really enjoy her writing style. I feel like she does such a great job with the adventure in this book and keeps pulling you along, or at least me. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending - I have gone back and forth with it. Some how I feel like it let down a little, but not enough that it changed how I felt about this book. I absolutely loved it. I also think I have found a new favorite author. I can’t wait to dig deeper into her works.

Oh yes, I was also not a fan of the ending. But the author backed herself into a corner. Could Dona really leave behind her children? Could she take them on a pirate ship?

Terry wrote: "Oh yes, I was also not a fan of the ending. But the author backed herself into a corner. Could Dona really leave behind her children? Could she take them on a pirate ship?"

Especially given when this was published, 1941, I don't think she had a choice of how to end it. I have no knowledge of whether this is the ending she wanted, but I can't really imagine her being able to choose otherwise back then. Wouldn't it have been quite scandalous?

Agreed - I can’t imagine Dona leaving her children and I’m not sure how I would have felt had she made that choice. Something about her rebellious streak had me thinking she was going to make that choice. It seemed like the entire book was leading to the ultimate scandal - her leaving them behind. In the end the ending was not what I hoped for, but Terry is right, the author really did back herself into a corner.

I'm reluctant to assume an author's motives, but I'd say the writer's lack of options for the ending mirrors the MC's.

Teri-K wrote: "Terry wrote: "Oh yes, I was also not a fan of the ending. But the author backed herself into a corner. Could Dona really leave behind her children? Could she take them on a pirate ship?"

Especiall..."

So i held off on reading this thread until i finished. Finished the book this evening, and while i agree with these sentiments, i also agree with Shawn that i still love this book and gave it 5/5 stars. But this had also occured to me, that is likely was because of the times, but i wanted to confirm that since, well, i coulsdnt remember the setting date. I know it was written in 1941, and it probably would have been scandalous even then, but was this story set in 19th century, or was that just the other book i had finished? Lol

Anyway, what a fun read! Definitely want to read more from du Maurier!

Edit: oh yeah, so, at first i was thinking how awful and selfish Dona was for thinking of leaving her children, but then by the end, I really thought she wwould and i had kinda gotten ok with that. I mean, they mostly hung with Prue anyway. 😅 I still cant wrap my head around those days or cultures where nannies are kinda like the surrogate moms and the actual moms dont see their kids as much. I could never be like that! Then again, i also dont have kids, but i believe i would be with them as much as possible. *shrug

I finished this a few days ago. It was a reread for me after 25-30 years, so I didn’t remember much beyond how much I’d loved it. Dona was certainly more petulant than I’d recalled, but the Frenchman was just as charming as he was in my memory. I also got a kick out of the ridiculous stereotypes that most of the British characters held of the French.