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The King's General (Virago Modern Classics)
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Product Description
Review
'Miss du Maurier's continued success leaves one gasping with admiration' TLS
Book Description
A moving love story set during the Civil War, and in the house that inspired Rebecca.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
You can feel the Cornish weather all around you as you become absorbed into the lives and loves of those caught up in the Civil War. The heroine, Honor Harris is a brilliant characture, who tells the story from her bed in the twilight of her life. If you like stories that suck you in, you'll love this one. The good guys are just ordinary everyday country folk, and the bad guys are, well - that would be telling! You dont need to be a history buff to relive those dark, brooding years leading up to the English Civil War. Du Maurier has that knack of just picking you up and droping you seemlessly into the action. As you read, just keep one ear open for the clatter of horses hooves on the cobbles...
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Set during the Civil War, this tells the story of the Cornish families caught up in the conflict and their tangled personal loyalties. The narrative is told by Honor Harris, who has been in love with Richard Grenvile, the eponymous `hero', since she was eighteen. As this is du Maurier, we have good characterisation and atmosphere together with excellent plotting that doesn't descend into the silly or unbelievable.
However this is a book which is far weaker than DM's classics such as Rebecca. There is very little attempt to recreate historical atmosphere and though this is supposedly set in the 1640s onwards, it reads as a modern book (written 1946). However the shortfalls are redeemed by the strength of the central portrait of Grenvile and his relationship to Honor (in both senses). Both ruthless and charming, cold and passionate, bitter and vengeful while unremittingly loyal to the king and the monarchy, Grenvile towers over this book as a huge creation. We might not like him (and `like' is far too weak a word to use for him) but then neither does Honor, although she does love him to the end. And it is this ambiguity and complexity which gives the novel its strength.
So don't read this if you want dashing, romantic sentimentalism: du Maurier is far too astute a writer than that. But for something much more akin to Heathcliffe in a political setting this is highly recommended.
However this is a book which is far weaker than DM's classics such as Rebecca. There is very little attempt to recreate historical atmosphere and though this is supposedly set in the 1640s onwards, it reads as a modern book (written 1946). However the shortfalls are redeemed by the strength of the central portrait of Grenvile and his relationship to Honor (in both senses). Both ruthless and charming, cold and passionate, bitter and vengeful while unremittingly loyal to the king and the monarchy, Grenvile towers over this book as a huge creation. We might not like him (and `like' is far too weak a word to use for him) but then neither does Honor, although she does love him to the end. And it is this ambiguity and complexity which gives the novel its strength.
So don't read this if you want dashing, romantic sentimentalism: du Maurier is far too astute a writer than that. But for something much more akin to Heathcliffe in a political setting this is highly recommended.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio Cassette
Juliet Stevenson's reading is faultless, and one is immediately absorbed into the story and all it's wonderfully described characters. Based in Pre and Civil War Cornwall, it enters into the Lives of the great Families involved, with their own stories, together with the main characters of the Heroine [Honor Harris] and Hero/Villain Sir Richard Grenville. Daphne du Maurier has woven a wonderful tale based on actual people, families and fact [there is also a postscript to give the listener the Fate of those involved]. The reading is unabridged at 13hrs.10mins.on 10 cassettes. This one of my favourite audiobooks, and never tire of it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED both for the Reading, quality and of course the story of the Rashleigh Family and all involved at Menabilly, the Home of daphne du Maurier, who became fascinated and intrigued with Menabilly, and it's own history when she first took residence there. In the postscript is a chilling revelation about the 'Buttressed Room'.A must for sheer escapism and History.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
What can I say!
I loved this book. The story just draws you in.Daphne Du Maurier must be one of the greatest writers ever published. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Culley
A masterclass
I have rediscovered Daphne Du Maurier again and know why her novels, which I read many years ago in my early twenties, have left such a lasting impression on me. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. Lynne Park
A most unusual love story
Set during the English Civil War of the 1640's, du Maurier retells a lesser known bit of Cornish history as an elderly Honor Harris reflects back on her life and love. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2009 by Misfit
The King's General
A re-discovered classic! Has all the right ingredients for a satisfying historical romance yet also bears the hallmark of a fine literary writer. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by Mrs M
excellent read
i loved this book, it is a love story with the history of war in the background, and the main character honor is a real fiesty strong lady... Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by blondie08
A most unusual love story
Set during the English Civil War of the 1640's, du Maurier retells a lesser known bit of Cornish history as an elderly Honor Harris reflects back on her life and love. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by Misfit
The King's General
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this but I was more than pleasantly surprised. Du Maurier brings the past vividly to life and spins a rather downbeat tale of those... Read more
Published on 1 May 2008 by Rich
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