Love the stories of Daphne du Maurier? Welcome!
Events 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Ever want to run away from your life? Daphne du Maurier exposes the possible outcome of embarking on such a scheme in our 2021 Novel Study, The Scapegoat. The story begins with a British teacher on holiday in France who meets his exact double: a French aristocrat who tricks him into swapping lives. Apparently, one of Daphne du Maurier's favorite novels growing up was The Prisoner of Zenda, which may have served as inspiration for her story. Join us on March 14, 2021 for an in-depth discussion of the novel with University of Dallas Professor Sarah Berry. Event is in-person but will also be available virtually for Society members by ZOOM.
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Our Dinner and a Movie Night will feature the 2012 production of The Scapegoat starring Matthew Rhys. This adaptation departs from the novel, but du Maurier's dark, psychological overtones are maintained. The movie is well-acted and the set design is spectacular, if you care about such things. For dinner we will stay true to the novel and serve French cuisine from La Madeleine. Author Cindy Jones will lead a discussion of the novel's two adaptations.
Event is in-person. Regrettably, the post film discussion will not be available for Society members by ZOOM.
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Sunday, August 29, 2021
In honor of Daphne du Maurier's birthday (May 13th), we suggest you enjoy your favorite novel or movie adaptation from the comfort of your home.
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Saturday, November 21, 2021
Sunday, August 29, 2021
After The Scapegoat, Daphne du Maurier continued to explore the 'dark side' of human nature in many of her short stories. Don't Look Now, our 2021 Short Story Study, is a tightly-woven tale where the reader is always one step behind the narrator. Join our discussion of the story......and you will forever think twice about wearing a red coat.
Event is in-person but will also be available virtually for Society members by ZOOM.
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Hitchcocktober 2021
Saturday, November 21, 2021
Saturday, November 21, 2021
The Dallas Angelika Movie Theater will once again be hosting Hitchcocktober. The particular Hitchcock adaptations have not been chosen yet but one of Daphne du Maurier's stories is almost always included. Details will be available in due course.
Saturday, November 21, 2021
Saturday, November 21, 2021
Saturday, November 21, 2021
Our November meeting will consist of another Dinner and a Movie night. Nicolas Roeg directed Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie in the 1973 adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's Don't Look Now. The film, considered by some to be one of the best "thrillers" made, also contains one of the earliest graphic sex scenes in cinema, which caused quite the controversy at the time. Keeping with the Venice location, Italian food and desserts will be served. Discussion of the adaptation will follow.
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Join us for our annual Christmas in Cornwall Luncheon (held in Dallas, Texas rather than Fowey, unfortunately). One of Daphne du Maurier's plays, The Years Between , will be reviewed by Oral Historian and playwright Leonard Cox. The story revolves around the wife of a British MP who learns her husband has been killed in the second world war. Just as she is coming to grips with her loss, preparing to marry a neighboring farmer and taking up her late husband’s seat in parliament, he turns up alive. Now, her husband expects her to return to her housewifely duties, but everything has changed. The discussion will no doubt be vigorous.
Noon - 2:30 pm
Recent Events
Sunday, March 14, 2021
On Sunday, March 14th, a group of our members gathered to hear a talk by Professor Sarah Berry on The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier. While we sipped tea and munched on treats, Professor Berry delighted us with her insight into the relentless impact of the setting in the story and her comparisons of The Scapegoat to Daphne du Maurier’s other novels. Just as Manderley itself almost feels like a character in Rebecca, the family home of our protagonist’s French shadow in The Scapegoat also seems to have an undeniable presence, one to which the fate of the novel’s characters are inescapably tied. A discussion of the importance of one’s home environment seems especially pertinent at a time when many of us are still confined to our homes, although we noted with happiness that many of our members are now vaccinated. We are hopeful that, as everything continues to open up this year, our group might be able to meet in such exotic locations as restaurants and movie theaters.
We would like to thank Professor Berry, once again, for giving a fascinating talk about a book that is not often discussed by scholars. Although a return to Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel is always enjoyable, it is a rare and interesting opportunity when one is able to hear critical analysis of Daphne du Maurier’s lesser-known works. We are grateful for the thoroughness with which Professor Berry approached the topic, and her analysis of story has certainly led to a new appreciation for the novel in some of our members.
Professor Sarah Berry