This "highly personalized adventure, ultra-romantic" story tells the tale of a woman looking for adventure, only to find it in the arms a rebellious criminal (New York Times).
Bored and restless in London's Restoration Court, Lady Dona escapes into the British countryside with her restlessness and thirst for adventure as her only guides.
Eventually Dona lands in remote Navron, looking for peace of mind in its solitary woods and hidden creeks. She finds the passion her spirit craves in the love of a daring French pirate who is being hunted by all of Cornwall.
Together, they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory, one which bestows upon Dona the ultimate choice: sacrifice her lover to certain death or risk her own life to save him.
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"The first adult romantic book I've ever read, everything was so real, the age of the main characters, the unfortunate circumstances under which they met, the love in general; it wasn't cheesy or possesive or overly romantic, it was just real love. "
— Teoni (5 out of 5 stars)
“Highly personalized adventure, ultra-romantic mood, and skillful storytelling.”
— New York Times" I'm not usually a fan of romance, but I loved this book. Daphne du Maurier was an amazing author. "
— L., 2/15/2014" This was a reread of a book I'd enjoyed years ago. I still enjoyed it, but found that my feelings about the main character had changed about as I've gotten older & become a wife & mother. "
— Liz, 2/4/2014" The story was ok, but there is a lot to talk about. There weren't really any likeable characters, except maybe the servant, and I think she made the right decision at the end. "
— Jenn, 1/22/2014" Made me want to be a pirate. "
— Tom, 1/20/2014" I absollutely loved this book! Fabulously vivid descriptions of both landscapes and characters. Full of intense emotion. Stays with you even after you've finished it. "
— Annie, 1/18/2014" Another fun fantasy of a man being worthy of being loved... oh sorry ... did that sound bitter... "
— Theacrob, 1/15/2014" Swashbuckling. "
— Sophia, 1/5/2014" I'd give this 3.5 stars...the romantic in me really liked this book. "
— Maribel, 1/1/2014" Great story but doesn't have a HEA. (Sniff). "
— Marilyn, 12/31/2013" This is basically a romance novel WITH A PIRATE, but it also SO GOOD. "
— Joanna, 12/23/2013" This book is simply wonderful. "
— Brainarchy, 12/19/2013" My favourite historical fiction; who wouldn't want to be Dona St Columb captivated by the enigmatic Frenchman? Escapism at its best. "
— Susie, 12/10/2013" Wow! I wanted to run away with a handsome pirate after reading this book. Thoroughly delicious! "
— Holly, 12/2/2013" I had a fling with a girl from down that way and her best friend's farm bordered on the creek. I read the book after she dumped me and loved it. Proper romantic. "
— Chas, 10/27/2013" and the movie, made-for-TV though it may be - if fabulous, too! Ultimate pirate/love adventure. "
— Julie, 10/25/2013" This is my absolute favorite book to date. "
— Trish, 9/8/2013" A spirited adventure and romance, with complex characters and plenty of surprises along the way. "
— Chad, 9/1/2013" It just kills me to say that I was bored by this book by the great Daphne. The PBS miniseries a decade or so ago was way better. Sorry, Daphne. You're the best but I couldn't get into it. Maybe seeing a great adaptation first ruined it for me? Had to return it to the library unfinished. "
— Jennifer, 8/13/2013" After I read Rebecca, I was hungry for more DuMaurier and found this. It satisfied - no one weaves passion, intrigue and adversity together like her. "
— Janeen, 7/19/2013" I kept in mind my friend's suggestion to suspend reality, and that helped a lot in this book. Although it was hard to forgive the fact that Dona was a mother, I still found the story enjoyable. The ending wasn't entirely satisfying though. "
— Allison, 6/22/2013" Any offers from philosophizing French pirates to escape aboard their ship and I'll be there in a swash buckle. "
— Josie, 12/6/2012" Captain Jack Sparrow eat your heart out - give me Jean Aubrey any day of the week. Just wish Daphne had indulged her readers with more details about the night spent on La Mouette! "
— Sandra, 11/14/2012" an old, old favourite and highly recommended for anyone, anywhere... Jamaica Inn and House on the Strand are good too... "
— Frankie, 7/5/2012" I really liked this despite the lead character being (technically) morally bankrupt she was still likeable and sympathetic. "
— The, 4/23/2012" Loved this book! It was full of suspense and intrigue and adventure and romance with enough unsatisfied longing to make it memorable. Not just another pirate story... "
— Andylyn, 3/6/2012" The writting was fantastic in this book. I would have rated it higher, but the morality of some of the characters made it difficult to highly suggest. "
— Mark, 12/13/2011" Really enjoyed this - beautifully written and a ripping yarn as well! "
— Carol, 6/30/2011" Great story but doesn't have a HEA. (Sniff). "
— Marilyn, 5/20/2011" Any offers from philosophizing French pirates to escape aboard their ship and I'll be there in a swash buckle.<br/> "
— Josie, 3/28/2011" interesting story and a fun read "
— Laura, 3/26/2011" I read this over the weekend and discovered it left me just as breathless as it did when I first read it over 30 years ago. Daphne DuMaurier is a literary goddess -- everything she writes is lovely. "
— Kathleen, 3/22/2011" *Read for school*<br/><br/>Parts of it were interesting but there was something about the style that really turned me off. "
— Megan, 3/21/2011" hmmmmm...what can you say another du maurier classic! "
— Anusha, 3/9/2011" I loved this book. Fascinating story. Beautifully done. But why, why, why couldn't she have stayed with the kewl pirate, some way, somehow...big sigh. "
— Beth, 3/7/2011" Pirate, damsel, love, mystery, just plain and simple story without all the extra x-rated words and descriptions put into some love story books these days. "
— Shirlyn, 3/4/2011" A dashing pirate, a disastisfied lady - the plot is as old as time. The setting was captivating. I'm ready to walk the coves of Cornwall. "
— Versa, 2/28/2011" Would make an interesting book group selection -- women often have to consider their desires to escape from the life they have and decide where their loyalties (and their hearts) really lie.<br/> "
— Lewestover, 1/3/2011" this was a great surprise! After reading Daphne du Maurier's gothic novel, mysteries, and apocolyptic scnerios - a true romantic fantasy! "
— Valerie, 12/18/2010Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989) was born in London, the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier and granddaughter of the author and artist George du Maurier. She has been called one of the great shapers of popular culture and the modern imagination. She began writing in 1928, and many of her bestselling novels were set in Cornwall, where she lived for most of her life. Besides novels, du Maurier wrote plays, biographies, and several collections of short fiction. Among her more famous works are The Scapegoat, Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, and the short story “The Birds,” all of which were subsequently made into films, the latter three directed by Alfred Hitchcock.