R2OK!

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

An Afternoon Reading from Radio 4 Extra.

Just three days left to listen to this atmospheric short story from Daphne Du Maurier

It tells the story of a young woman who dreams of an eerie wilderness and a grand old house, and echoes her most famous book, Rebecca. In the story, the young woman starts a romantic relationship with a man and finds herself walking into the real landscape she has dreamed of...
The Happy Valley is selected from The Doll: Short Stories, the newly published collection by Daphne du Maurier. This includes several pieces recently rediscovered by an enthusastic devotee of the famous writer. The Happy Valley was originally printed in the Illustrated London News in 1932 but hasn't been published in a collection until now. Written early in her career these stories reveal the dark themes explored in the novels that made her name.

Beautifully read by Hattie Morahan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010t7p2

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

That sounds really good, Becky, thank you for that. I will listen tomorrow.

I love Daphne du Maurier's stories - my favourite being "The House on the Strand" which I must have read 3 or 4 times over the years. It is set in Cornwall and is about a man who experiments with a drug developed by a close friend which temporarily takes him back to an earlier century in the same location. The landscape changes of course and he becomes obsessed with the characters he is able to see - without being seen by them.

She had a wonderful imagination and it's great that more of her writings have come to light.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

That sounds one to look out for,Eileen.

Hope you enjoy The Happy Valley.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5767 Location: Hampshire

I decided to listen tonight and was thoroughly gripped by it. Thanks again Becky!