The official Daphne du Maurier website, approved by her Estate
Current News
The Fowey Festival Quiz Night was a Great Success – Thank you
13th September 2023: The fundraising quiz at the Safe Harbour yesterday evening was great fun and went really well. The evening made nearly £200.00 for Fowey Festival. Between the two fundraising quizzes for Fowey Festival that have taken place at the Safe Harbour this year, in July and September, the total raised was nearly £500.00... More ››
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature - Quiz Night 12th September 2023
8th September 2023: On Saturday 16th September, the Daphne du Maurier Society of North America will meet for their Fall short story study to discuss Daphne du Maurier's short story The Breakthrough. University of Dallas scholar Dr Sarah Berry will lead the event with her analysis of this remarkable short story.... More ››
The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – September event
8th September 2023: On Saturday 16th September the Daphne du Maurier Society of North America will be meeting for their Fall, short story study, to discuss Daphne du Maurier’s short story The Breakthrough. University of Dallas scholar, Dr Sarah Berry will lead the event with her analysis of this remarkable short story ... More ››.jpg)
The English Premiere of the musical Rebecca opened in London yesterday
5th September 2023: After many years of waiting and amidst much excitement, the English language version of the musical Rebecca premiered in London yesterday evening (4th September 2023). It was originally performed in Vienna in 2006 and then toured in many countries worldwide, returning to Vienna in September 2022. Since 2006, the musical of Rebecca has been performed in twelve countries and ten languages... More ››
Remembering Collin Langley
29th August 2023: Through the Daphne du Maurier website, we are fortunate enough to be in contact with and to meet many lovely and interesting people, all with a united love for or interest in Daphne du Maurier. One such person who became a dear friend was Collin Langley. He was a true Daphne du Maurier aficionado. We first met on one of the many occasions that he was in Fowey attending the Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts and Literature... More ››
Video trailers for Rebecca (1940) and Don't Look Now (1973)
27th August 2023: We have added two video trailers to our Video and Films page. They highlight what are probably the most iconic of the films adapted from Daphne du Maurier's writing. They are for the 1940 Hitchcock adaptation of Rebecca and Nicholas Roeg's fabulous adaptation of Don't Look Now from 1973... More ››
Daphne du Maurier paperback spotted in Emmerdale!
24th August 2023: Here at the Daphne du Maurier website, we love the fact that Daphne crops up in crossword puzzles, quiz shows and lots of fiction, either with reference to her or to one of her books. Yesterday, the character Mary Goskirk, in the popular UK Soap Emmerdale was seen reading a lovely Virago paperback copy of Rebecca... More ››.jpg)
An Opportunity to Listen to Through the Night - One of the Songs From the Musical Rebecca
18th August 2023: With only a few days before the musical Rebecca premieres in the UK, here is an opportunity to listen to two of the leading cast members singing Through the Night, one of the numbers from the musical.... More ››
Works by Daphne du Maurier with Special Anniversaries in 2023
10th August 2023: In August 1938, Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca was published in the UK. It was to become the most famous of all her books and has never been out of print. This month we celebrate the 85th anniversary of Rebecca. Two of Daphne du Maurier's most well-known short stories also celebrate special anniversaries this year. The Birds celebrates its 60th anniversary, and Don't Look Now celebrates its 50th anniversary. ... More ››.jpg)
A Reminder that the English Premiere of Rebecca takes place in London from 4th September 2023
9th August 2023: Performances of London’s musical premiere of Rebecca start in four weeks, and tickets are selling fast. Based on Daphne du Maurier’s iconic 1938 novel, the musical was created by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, two of the most successful German-language musical theatre lyricists and composers. It has already been seen by more than two million people worldwide... More ››
Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – Autumn 2023 event
8th August 2023: The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America’s Autumn event take place on Saturday 16th September 2023, 1.00pm – 3.00pm, and this time is all about Daphne du Maurer’s short story The Breakthrough.... More ››
Come Wind, Come Weather, Wartime Short Stories by Daphne du Maurier
2nd August 2023: The book Come Wind, Come Weather that Daphne du Maurier wrote during the second world war is largely forgotten now. It is very different to everything else she wrote, and readers of her work could be puzzled by it. Today we bring you an article which explains the background of how the book came about and what Daphne was trying to achieve by writing it. ... More ››
Snippets of News from the Daphne du Maurier Society of North America
28th July 2023: Samantha Mabry and Kimberly Richardson are members of the Daphne du Maurier Society of North America. Samantha lives in Texas, and Kimberly lives in Colorado, where she owns the Viridian Tea Company. We bring you news about both of them.... More ››
Fowey Festival Quiz Night at the Safe Harbour, Fowey
27th July 2023: On Tuesday evening, the Safe Harbour in Fowey held a Charity Quiz Night to raise money for Fowey Festival. The event was really well attended and a whole lot of fun. Many teams took part, and there was a raffle with lots of fabulous prizes. The evening raised £286.00 for the Festival, which was a fantastic result... More ››
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature - Quiz Night 25th July 2023
22nd July 2023: Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature are holding a quiz night at the Safe Harbour Inn on Tuesday 25th July, at 8pm. This is to raise money for the Festival, which is a charity, so all money to hold the yearly festival is made through fundraising. If you live locally or are in the area on holiday, come along and join in... More ››
Rebecca the Musical – Cast announcement
21st July 2023: Casting for the English language production of Rebecca the Musical, which premieres in London on 4th September 2023, has been announced. Richard Carson (Maxim de Winter), Lauren Jones (Second Mrs de Winter, I) and Kara Lane (Mrs Danvers) will head the cast for the eagerly anticipated English language premiere of the critically acclaimed musical Rebecca. ... More ››
Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – Event Reminder July 2023
18th July 2023: A reminder that the first ever Daphne du Maurier Society of North America Reading Retreat takes place on Sunday 23rd July, at Higgins Lake, Michigan. The group will discuss their favourite stories from Daphne du Maurier’s vast collection... More ››
Historic wooden sailing vessel, Lady Daphne, to be Venue for a Literary Weekend in Cornwall - Friday 28th- Sunday 30th July 2023.
3rd July 2023: The owners of Lady Daphne, a historic sailing vessel, have been planning celebrations to mark her centenary year. She is currently berthed in Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall, and her owners, Sam and Andy, will be holding a three-day literary weekend onboard from Friday 28th - Sunday 30th July... More ››
Daphne du Maurier T-shirts from Girls on Top
29th June 2023: A reminder that Girls on Top produce beautiful t-shirts with the names of exceptional women writers on them. Daphne du Maurier is one of the authors included in their excellent scheme to champion women writers. Girls on Top works in collaboration with the Women's Prize Trust... More ››
Don’t Look Now, – celebrating 50 years of the film in 2023
28th June 2023: The film, Don’t Look Now, based on Daphne du Maurier’s short story, was first released in 1973, making this year its 50th anniversary. The short story and its iconic film have never lost popularity in all those years... More ››.jpg){kind=small}
The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – date amendment for the "Writers should be read" Reading Retreat in Michigan
26th June 2023: The date for the "Writers should be read" Reading Retreat in Michigan is Sunday 23rd July, NOT Sunday 22nd July, as previously stated. The Society apologise for this error and brings you more news of the event... More ››.jpg){kind=small}
The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – Dates for your diary
21st June 2023: The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America have some dates for your diary. Here is a look at the events taking place from July through to early December... More ››.jpg)
Rebecca musical to have English language premiere in London in September 2023
15th June 2023: Towards the end of last year, we told you that Rebecca the Musical was coming to the UK at last. The show’s English language premiere takes place at the Charing Cross Theatre, London, on Monday, 4th September 2023 and runs until 18th November. Now is the time to book your tickets, if you haven’t already done so... More ››
Jung's Shadow Concept: The Hidden Light and Darkness within Ourselves, edited by Christopher Perry and Rupert Tower
8th June 2023: A new book on Carl Jung's Concept of the Shadow was published on 5th May of this year (2023). Jung's Shadow Concept: The Hidden Light and Darkness within Ourselves was edited by Christopher Perry and Rupert Tower. While those with a broad interest in Carl Jung and his concept of the Shadow will find inspiration from this new text, those whose primary interest is in Daphne du Maurier will also gain new insight... More ››
Reading Rebecca as Gothic
1st June 2023: Rebecca is often referred to as a Gothic novel, but what exactly does that mean? Last month at the Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature, Dr Serena Trowbridge presented a talk on the subject, describing what makes a novel Gothic and explaining the rules of what needs to be in a Gothic novel ... More ››
A Watercolour by George du Maurier
28th May 2023: The Daphne du Maurier website has acquired an unfinished George du Maurier watercolour. It is a scene of the countryside, which could be in France or England, with trees in the background, a group of buildings that look like houses and possibly farm buildings, with fields, fencing, a streetlamp and a path or road in the foreground. The picture has been sketched, but only part of the painting has been completed. George du Maurier is famous as an illustrator for Punch magazine and much less well-known for his watercolours... More ››
A Round-Up of Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature 12th – 20th May 2023
25th May 2023: The 25th Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature has ended, and we thank everyone responsible for making the event such a great success. Lynn Goold, Chair of the Board of Trustees responsible for the Festival, Brenda Daly, the Festival director, and the Trustees, there were so few of you, and you all worked tirelessly throughout the entire Festival; all deserve a massive vote of thank from all the festival attendees... More ››
Today we celebrate Daphne du Maurier’s birthday
13th May 2023: On this day in 1907, Daphne du Maurier was born, so join us as we celebrate the 116th anniversary of her birth. Whatever you are doing, let’s all say Happy Birthday to Daphne!... More ››
Jamaica Inn Celebrates Daphne du Maurier’s Birthday with a Special Offer
12th May 2023: Jamaica Inn is inviting people to visit the newly refurbished Daphne du Maurier and Smugglers Museums for just £1 entry fee on Saturday 13th May, to celebrate Daphne du Maurier’s birthday. The new-look Museums are fabulous and ... More ››
The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America Celebrate Daphne du Maurier's 116th Birthday in Style!
8th May 2023: Saturday 13th May, will be the 116th anniversary of Daphne du Maurier's birth. The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America will be celebrating in style and in the comfort of their own homes. The event to celebrate Daphne's birthday will be on ZOOM, where members will be able to enjoy ... More ››.jpg){kind=small}
Daphne du Maurier Exhibition – 13th and 14th May 2023
7th May 2023: Daphne du Maurier’s birthday and the beginning of the Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature coincide with an exhibition all about Daphne du Maurier, which takes place in Tywardreath Village Hall on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May 2023, from 10am until 3pm each day.... More ››.jpg)
Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III – 6th May 2023
5th May 2023: The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla takes place tomorrow, Saturday 6th May. We share this article and some lovely photographs with you all to celebrate this historic occasion. ... More ››
Fowey Festival Awards for Young Writers and Artists Presentation Day
2nd May 2023: In January, we told you about the 2023 Fowey Festival Awards for Young Writers and Artists Competition, which this year had the theme of Celebrations!. Children of all ages from across Cornwall took part, and in March, judging took place. On Saturday 29th April, the awards ceremony took place in the beautiful surroundings of Fowey Hall Hotel... More ››
Daphne du Maurier Perpetual Calendar
27th April 2023: In May 2020, we told you about the Daphne du Maurier Perpetual Calendar, produced by the artist Pat Thuysbaert, from her own watercolours. She has just let us know that copies are still available, so we thought it was about time we reminded you about this lovely calendar... More ››.jpg)
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature 2023 - A look at the Daphne du Maurier-related events in this year's programme
21st April 2023: This year, from 12th to 20th May, Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature will celebrate its 25th Festival. Every year, within a broader range of literary and music-related events, walks and exhibitions, there is a core of events relating to Daphne du Maurier, one of the two most important literary names to be connected with Fowey, the other being Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. This year is no exception, so here is a look at the all-important Daphne du Maurier part of Fowey Festival ... More ››
Announcing the Daphne du Maurier Reading Week 2023
19th April 2023: Every year, book reviewer and blogger, HeavenAli brings us the Daphne du Maurier Reading Week, which always coincides with Daphne's birthday on 13th May. Ali shares her birthday with Daphne du Maurier, which makes her decision to lead this reading week very special. This year, the Daphne du Maurier Reading Week dates are 8th – 15th May. This is less than three weeks away, so it is time to start choosing which Daphne du Maurier books to read during this special week. ... More ››
Four French Holidays by Anne Hall
15th April 2023: Anne Hall has just published a new book called Four French Holidays, in which she discusses four women writers, all from the same generation, who were inspired to write novels following visits to France. The women are Daphne du Maurier, Stella Gibbons, Rumer Godden and Margery Sharp... More ››
Daphne du Maurier’s The Birds predicted environment crisis 70 years ago
11th April 2023: The Conversation published an article in its daily newsletter this morning, which has been picked up by media far and wide. It discusses Daphne du Maurier’s novella, The Birds... More ››.jpg)
Author Joanna Cannon would take Rebecca to a Desert Island
10th April 2023: In a recent interview for the Daily Mail Online, writer Joanna Cannon was asked which book she would take with her to a desert island. Her answer was Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, which she described as the perfect book by the perfect storyteller... More ››
Happy Easter Everyone
8th April 2023: Wishing a very Happy Easter to all of you who share our love of Daphne du Maurier through the Daphne du Maurier website and our Facebook and Twitter pages... More ››
The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn
1st April 2023: Many of you will already know the renowned biographer Jane Dunn, who wrote the magnificent book Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters: The Hidden Lives of Piffy, Bird and Bing (2013). During her writing career, she has written seven biographies on subjects including Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell, Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, and Mary Shelley. Now, for the first time, she has turned to fiction and created The Marriage Season (2023), the first in a trilogy of Regency fiction. ... More ››
Alfred Hitchcock’s film The Birds celebrates its 60th birthday
27th March 2023: On 28th March 2023, the movie of The Birds will be sixty years old. Vastly different from Daphne du Maurier’s original short story, Hitchcock moved the location to Bodega Bay in California. Melanie Daniels, the female lead, played by Tippy Hedren, has visited Bodega Bay on a whim and is soon embroiled in the horror of the attacking birds, herself the victim of a terrifying attack.... More ››
25th Anniversary Fowey Festival – Programme and Booking Office Now Live On-line
24th March 2023: The 25th Anniversary Fowey Festival takes place from 12th – 20th May 2023. The programme is now live on the Fowey Festival website. The box office will be open to everyone from Saturday 25th March. ... More ››
Another Greetings card inspired by Daphne du Maurier
21st March 2023: Amanda White has created a second greetings card inspired by Daphne du Maurier. This time it is an image of Ferryside, the du Maurier Browning family home in Fowey. This beautiful waterside house was bought by Daphne du Maurier’s father, Gerald, nearly a hundred years ago, and members of the family have lived there ever since. Daphne completed her first novel, The Loving Spirit there, as well as poetry, short stories and her third novel, The Progress of Julius. We told you about Amanda’s first du Maurier-related card back in September 2021... More ››
Fowey Festival Pop-Up Box Office and Coffee Mornings – April 2023
20th March 2023: As we all look forward to the 25th Anniversary Fowey Festival in May, Fowey Festival will be holding two pop-up box office and coffee morning events in Fowey during April. So come and have a chat with the Festival Trustees about all the exciting events taking place at this year’s Festival, and book tickets while you are there. The dates ... More ››
Daphne du Maurier Museum at Jamaica Inn – Spring 2023
15th March 2023: In August 2022, we brought you news that Jamaica Inn had changed ownership and was now to be run by The Coaching Inn Group. We speculated on what the future of Jamaica Inn would hold and particularly what the future of the Daphne du Maurier museum within the Inn would be. We are happy to be able to tell you that much work has been going on since then. The Daphne du Maurier and the Smugglers museums were closed for a short time at the beginning of this year. And now, the Inn has re-opened the two museums, refurbished and looking splendid. ... More ››
25th Anniversary Fowey Festival, 12th – 20th May 2023
12th March 2023: Tickets for the 25th Anniversary Fowey Festival, which takes place from 12th-20th May 2023, will be on sale soon. You will be able to view the programme and book tickets at the Fowey Festival website... More ››
Life, Legend and Landscape: the Autobiographical Sub-text and Historical Background to Castle Dor by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and Daphne du Maurier by Jane Prince
6th March 2023: Last year, we introduced you to Jane Prince, who writes for the Arthur Quiller-Couch website. Jane has just published her most recent article entitled Life, Legend and Landscape: the Autobiographical Sub-text and Historical Background to Castle Dor by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and Daphne du Maurier. This remarkable article ... More ››
Into A Cornish Wind by Kate Ryder – a novel set in Fowey
1st March 2023: Spring is almost here, and it won't be long before the holiday season begins again. With holidays comes time to relax, and what could be better than a new book to read, something light and romantic. Into A Cornish Wind by Kate Ryder is one such book. First published in September 2022, this is the latest in a number of books with a Cornish setting by this author, who herself lives in Cornwall. The thing that makes this novel extra special is that it is actually set in Fowey... More ››
Curtis Brown Group moves offices to Cunard House
17th February 2023: Curtis Brown is the Literary Agent for Daphne du Maurier. All questions relating to copyright issues regarding her works should be directed to them. In February 2023, Curtis Brown moved to new premises... More ››
US Armed Services Editions of Daphne du Maurier's novels
14th February 2023: Armed Services Editions were small compact paperback books printed by the Council on Books in Wartime for distribution throughout the American Military during World War II. Three of Daphne du Maurier's books were included in this series. ... More ››
Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – February Event Reminder
7th February 2023: The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America's next meeting is on Sunday, 19th February 2023, from 1:00pm until 3:00pm at Mena-Kinney, 5214 Palomar Lane, Dallas, TX 75209. The subject will be The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. Daphne du Maurier's stories often illuminate the competing dual natures within individual characters, occasionally even with doppelgangers. This has long been recognised as Daphne du Maurier's debt to The Prisoner of Zenda, one of her favourite novels from childhood. ... More ››
The Pathology of Desire in Daphne du Maurier's Short Stories by Setara Pracha – A Review
23rd January 2023: In December, we told you about Setara Pracha's new book, The Pathology of Desire in Daphne du Maurier's Short Stories. We also shared with you an essay written by Setara, especially for the Daphne du Maurier website, telling us about her interest in Daphne's short stories and how she came to write this extraordinary book. Here at the Daphne du Maurier website, we now have our copy of Setara's book. It is a fascinating read and a book which has long been needed as it is the first full-length study of Daphne du Maurier's short fiction... More ››
The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America – February 2023 event
19th January 2023: The Daphne du Maurier Society of North America's next meeting is on Sunday, 19th February 2023. The subject will be The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. Daphne du Maurier's stories often illuminate the competing dual natures within individual characters, occasionally even with doppelgangers. This has long been recognised as Daphne du Maurier's debt to The Prisoner of Zenda, one of her favourite novels from childhood ... More ››
My Cornwall With Fern Britton visits Fowey today, 11th January 2023
11th January 2023: This evening My Cornwall With Fern Britton comes to Fowey, where Fern adds to her knowledge about Daphne du Maurier. The programme is on Channel 5 at 8pm, on UK television and is the second episode of the second series of Fern’s programme. In this series, Fern explores the Hundreds, ancient regions of Cornwall with amazing histories... More ››
Fowey Festival Children’s Programme 2023
9th January 2023: The 2023 Fowey Festival Awards for Young Writers and Artists is launched today, 9th January. The aim of the awards is to encourage young people to engage in visual arts and creative writing to celebrate their creativity and originality. The competition is open to all children living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly aged 4 to 16 on 31st August 2023. Thanks to generous sponsorship, entry is free, and prizes will be awarded. The theme for 2023 is Celebrations! ... More ››
No Place for a Girl, Daphne du Maurier, Bodmin Moor – by Jo Wing
4th January 2023: On a number of occasions, we have brought to your attention the beautiful writing and photography of Jo Wing and her literary blog, Return of a Native. Through her writing, Jo brings her readers a fascinating insight into many literary figures, illustrating her work with beautiful photographs and suggesting music appropriate to the mood of her pieces of writing. Jo has written several pieces about different aspects of Daphne du Maurier and her writing... More ››