Don't look back

As this past Sunday was the centenary of Daphne du Maurier's birth, I've been re-reading her collection of essays, The "Rebecca" Notebook: And Other Memories. The pieces range from a very touching portrait of her father, the actor-manager and theatrical idol of the day, Gerald du Maurier, to an analysis of romantic love and her moving reflections on widowhood.

The first  - and longest - section of the book recounts how her most famous and enduring novel, Rebecca, came to be written, and includes the epilogue she originally wrote for it. The house in that book, Manderley, looms large in the story and it was her fascination with an empty and decaying mansion (Menabilly) near her Cornish home which led to its creation. Alison Light writes in her introduction to this collection, "Du Maurier's Cornwall was her home but it was also a country of the mind, the place where she could be a restless spirit and a writer in retreat."

The essay titled "House of Secrets" describing how she eventually came to breathe new life into that derelict house and live there with her family for twenty six years is fascinating, and points up her somewhat reclusive nature. Eventually, her lease of Menabilly came to an end and, now widowed and her children grown, she moved to a dower house on the estate, Kilmarth, overlooking the sea. Her description of "A Winter's Afternoon, Kilmarth" is typically 'her', and the image of her striding out with her dog for a clifftop walk in wild weather is one I've kept in mind since I first read the book.

Ronald Blythe includes a quote from Daphne du Maurier in his A Year at Bottengoms Farm; describing a solitary Christmas she says, "If I thought about it too deeply, I might be rather sad, but I don't .... I think the thing is always to look ahead in life, and never look back, except in gratitude..."

Comments

[Peg]

Thanks, Karen. I will always try to look ahead and only look back in gratitude!

[Nicola]

I'm reading The Rebecca Notebook, too. Fascinating drafts of the novel. I've only read Rebecca (many times) and My Cousin Rachel (twice) can you recommend the next title I should try?

[Danielle]

I am reading the biography of Daphne by Margaret Forster at the moment. What an interesting life. I have read a few of her novels and different times in my life, and earlier this year I read Frenchman's Creek,which I really enjoyed. I will have to check out this book of essays as well.

[Jill]

Lovely post! I'll have to look for the book of essays as I do like the author.

I tagged you for the eight random things, Karen. I hope you can find time to play along.

[Simon]

Hadn't heard of this - sounds like another irresistible read. I'm always interested in the process of writing, as documented by the writer. Gives texts such layers.

[Charity]

Rebecca has always been one of my old favourites, but I hadn't heard of the Notebook until now.

[Zoe]

Just found you through Yarnstorm. I love Rebecca and must get this notebook. I've not heard of it before this either.