"Frenchman's Creek" by Daphne Du Maurier: Review

Photo by Kathryn Houghton

“Contentment is a state of mind and body when the two work in harmony, and there is no friction. The mind is at peace, and the body also. The two are sufficient to themselves. Happiness is elusive — coming perhaps once in a lifetime — approaching ecstasy.”

- Daphne Du Maurier, Frenchman’s Creek

I believe I first heard about Frenchman’s Creek from following a pirate fantasy author on Instagram who gained part of her inspiration for her current work-in-progress from Du Maurier. Right from that moment I was intrigued and added it to my book wishlist. It has popped up a few times since then on social media, but it still seems to be an underrated classic left hidden from our little bookish community.

The heroine of this novel is Dona St. Columb, a woman who feels confined at most times by the societal standards of her day. Being a married woman with children she adores gives her added expectations that she’s grown tired of living up to. You could say she was a caged bird, waiting for her opportunity to see the sky again.

Harry, her husband, lacks empathy when trying to understand Dona and her struggles, which isn’t very surprising. Because of this, Dona takes matters into her own hands and decides to relocate with her children to the Cornwall coast in her husband's home, in hopes of rejuvenating her spirit. I already sympathized with Dona for feeling like she lost her zest for life and hadn’t felt real love in the way every woman deserves to be loved.

Photo by Kathryn Houghton

While reveling in her new surroundings, she hears rumors about a French pirate who has been raiding homes of the rich by the coast. Dona doesn’t seem to be worried, but she is quite intrigued. One night, as she goes for a walk, she discovers their hiding place conveniently tucked away in a creek right by her estate.

As she meets the Frenchman, she quickly sees that he’s not like the pirates she’s read about in stories or heard about from others, and, in typical Du Maurier fashion, we never learn the name of the Frenchman. This man loves to sketch birds he sees on his voyages and values cleanliness and manners. He cares for his crew and his ship deeply.

I believe Dona and the Frenchman are kindred spirits in many aspects. They see a likeness in each other that they haven’t found in anyone else. Naturally, they are drawn to each other for their want of adventure. They have the type of connection that doesn’t need to be told in words.

Photo by Kathryn Houghton

I‘ve struggled with picking apart the morality of this story because, while this woman is married and has duties to both her husband and her children, I can see and empathize with her turmoil. At what lengths would any of us go for love? What would you or I do in Dona’s place if we weren’t tied down? While I don’t condone her actions, I understand her perspective.

To be understood so effortlessly by another person, so in tune with their thoughts and in line with their heart is what we all crave inevitably. It’s our nature. And yet so few of us find the real thing. But Dona did. She met this pirate who showed her that there’s a liberating way to live your life, and he fulfilled this adventurous spirit in her that had been torturing her existence for a long time.

And yet, she still wanted to care for her children. She still loved them and wanted them to have a good life. I was devastated by the circumstances Dona was placed in. In every chapter, you’re left wondering what kind of person Dona will choose to be. You find yourself wishing she wasn’t already in these lifelong commitments, yet she was. Nothing could change that. You‘ll have to find out for yourself what she decides in the end.

So yes, this is a story about adventures that I absolutely adored and don’t want to spoil for you in case you feel compelled to read it for yourself, but it’s also about the lengths we would go to just have a moment of serenity. Just a glimpse of peace and real love. I’ve never been so confused and understanding of a character's choices all at once.

In my opinion, Frenchman’s Creek wins over Rebecca any day. This story is more lighthearted in many ways but still affects you and stays with you just as much if not more so than Rebecca. I think if you’re looking for a read to finish off summer, this is a perfect option!