Frenchman's Creek
The bestselling classic from the author of Rebecca
📘 About This Book
THE CLASSIC THRILLING ROMANCE FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REBECCA 'A writer of fearless originality' GUARDIAN 'One of the last century's most original literary talents' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'A pure, exhilarating adventure story - a swashbuckling tale of exquisite danger and tangled love' JULIE MYERSON Lady Dona St Columb seems to revel in scandal: she is involved in every intrigue of the Restoration Court. But secretly, the shallowness of Court life disgusts her, and in her heart she longs for freedom and honest love. Retreating to Navron, her husband's Cornish estate, she seeks peace and solitude away from London. But Navron is being used as the base for a French pirate, an outlaw hunted all over Cornwall. Instead of feeling fear, Dona's thirst for adventure has never been more aroused; in Jean-Benoit Aubéry she finds a sensitive man who would, like her, gamble his life for a moment's joy. Together they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory, one which will force Dona to make the ultimate choice: will she sacrifice her lover to certain death, or risk her own life to save him?
📖 Summary
Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier is a classic thrilling romance that transports readers to the dramatic and windswept coast of Cornwall. Published in 2012, this enduring tale follows Lady Dona St Columb, a woman who seemingly revels in scandal and is deeply involved in every intrigue of the Restoration Court. However, beneath her glittering and frivolous exterior, the shallowness and hypocrisy of Court life secretly disgust to her core. In her heart, she yearns for true freedom, authenticity, and an honest love that transcends the superficial games of the aristocracy. Seeking an escape from the suffocating atmosphere of London, Lady Dona decides to retreat to Navron, her husband's isolated Cornish estate, in search of peace, solitude, and a chance to clear her restless mind. Upon her arrival, she discovers that Navron is far from the quiet sanctuary she anticipated. Instead, the secluded estate is being used as the hidden base for a notorious French pirate, an elusive outlaw who is actively hunted all over Cornwall by the authorities and local landowners. Rather than feeling the terror or panic that a lady of her standing ought to experience upon finding a dangerous criminal operating out of her own backyard, Dona's thirst for adventure is profoundly aroused. Instead of running away or betraying him, she finds herself drawn into his world of peril, mystery, and daring escapades. The narrative unfolds as a pure and exhilarating adventure story, blending a swashbuckling tale of exquisite danger with a deeply tangled love. As Dona spends more time with the enigmatic French pirate, she discovers a kindred spirit who shares her disdain for societal constraints and her fierce desire for independence. Their blossoming romance develops against the backdrop of dangerous heists, stealthy night movements along the hidden creeks of Cornwall, and the constant threat of discovery. Du Maurier brilliantly captures the untamed beauty of the Cornish landscape, using the moody creeks and hidden coves as a mirror for the turbulent emotions and rebellious desires of her protagonist. Frenchman's Creek stands as a testament to the author's fearless originality and her status as one of the last century's most original literary talents, offering readers an unforgettable journey into romance, rebellion, and the eternal search for personal freedom.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Written by a famously original and acclaimed literary talent.
Combines thrilling swashbuckling adventure with a tangled romance.
Vividly captures the moody and atmospheric Cornish setting.
Features a compelling and fiercely independent female protagonist.
⚠️ Cons
Some readers may find the premise of a noblewoman instantly falling for a pirate to be overly romanticized.
The plot leans heavily on classic adventure tropes of the era.
✍️ About the Author
Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) was an English author known for atmospheric romantic suspense, most famously 'Rebecca', a gothic classic that won lasting critical and popular acclaim.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Frenchman's Creek? +
The book is written by Daphne du Maurier, the bestselling author of Rebecca.
What is the main setting of the novel? +
The story primarily takes place at Navron, an isolated Cornish estate, after beginning in the Restoration Court of London.
Who is Lady Dona St Columb? +
She is a noblewoman who is publicly involved in court scandals but secretly longs for freedom, authenticity, and honest love.
Why does Lady Dona go to Cornwall? +
She retreats to Navron to seek peace, solitude, and escape from the shallowness of London Court life.
What makes the retreat to Navron unexpected? +
Dona discovers that her estate is being used as a base by a hunted French pirate, which instead ignites her thirst for adventure.
