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FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5769 Location: Hampshire

This is my favourite out of all Daphne du Maurier's works and I have read it about 4 times over the years. It is set around Tywardreath near St Austell.

In it the hero tests out a drug invented by his close scientist friend. It has the effect of taking him back (mentally but not physically) to the 14th Century, with all the changes of landscape and buildings, and he becomes obsessed with the people of that time, although they don't see him. When the drug wears off he finds himself in the present day but he begins to prefer that early time to his own unsatisfactory unsettled life.

I have just spent 3 days in Par (the next little village) and had a good wander round some of the places mentioned. The house where the hero is staying was owned by du Maurier for a while and she was inspired to write the story when she discovered the old basement with rows of bottles containing odd specimens.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Nice to have a wander round somewhere you've read about and imagined,Eileen.
I haven't read that book by her.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5769 Location: Hampshire

I am driving down to stay in Par again tomorrow for 3 days to do some more Daphne du Maurier exploring, then down to St Ives for a week.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Eileen I missed your first post on this book as we were away and have just seen your post today.

This book is one of the 6 or so I brought from Dad's house. He belonged to a bookclub and it was one of about 100 that we decided to leave in the house (the new owners bought the wall units that they were housed in) as the rest were not my taste. The couple were delighted so I'm pleased they didn't have to go to the charity shop!

I've not yet read it, but only the other day I thought I think I'll read one of Dad's books!

Enjoy your trip tomorrow.

H
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FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5769 Location: Hampshire

Oh yes, do read it Helen. The cast of 14th century characters can get a bit confusing but in my copy there is a family tree showing how they are all related to each other. There is also a map showing the changes in the coastline.

Unfortunately the house at the centre of the story which is called Kilmarth is privately owned with very firm security gates so only a bit of the roof is visible. I can't say I blame the owners!

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6815

Weather's looking good for your break,Eileen (hopefully not too hot)

Lovely part of the country you're going to - hope you have a lovely time.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5769 Location: Hampshire

Thank you Helen and Becky. Luckily I have air con in my car. My husband who is driving around in Spain with a choir friend doesn't have air con and now there is that heatwave. Rather them than me Cool

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FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5769 Location: Hampshire

When I went to Tai Chi the other day I took my jute bag with the words "Tywardreath Village Shop" on it hoping someone would notice and ask me about it. Someone did so I was able to tell a small group about "The House on the Strand" and the area where it was set.

Then one of them mentioned that Daphne du Maurier had lived locally to us for a while. I then remembered I had seen road names connected with her. I wouldn't like to be living in Danvers Drive which is one of them. I Googled and saw that she had lived in a house in 1938 (now demolished) and finished writing "Rebecca" there.