A classic work of historical fiction from the author of Rebecca and The Birds.
Honor Harris is only eighteen when she first meets Richard Grenvile, proud, reckless — and utterly captivating. But following a riding accident, Honor must reconcile herself to a life alone. As the English Civil war is waged across the country, Richard rises through the ranks of the army, marries and makes enemies, and Honor remains true to him.
Decades later, an undaunted Sir Richard, now a general serving King Charles I, finds her. Finally they can share their passion in the ruins of her family's great estate on the storm-tossed Cornish coast — one last time before being torn apart, never to embrace again.
"Daphne du Maurier is a magician, a virtuoso. She can conjure up tragedy, tension, suspense, the ridiculous, the vain, the romantic." —Good Housekeeping
Download and start listening now!
"Really excellent. I love how Daphne du Maurier really brings history to life. Before reading this, the English Civil War had just been some bare facts and dates that I had to study in history class. This book made that time period really breathe and bleed! Now I want to re-read Rebecca!"
— Chelsea (4 out of 5 stars)
" DdM's book's just keep getting better and better..each book with its' own personality. The King's General was no different! A totally different style than the last 5 books I have read of hers, but, none the less written with quality. "
— Naomi, 2/14/2014" Another great book by du Maurier. This is historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres, and it has piqued my interest in the English civil war. I'll be doing some research on that. "
— Debby, 2/10/2014" Pretty good, but nowhere near as good as Rebecca by the same author. I would definitely recommend that one. Reading this one just makes me want to re-read Rebecca. "
— Anne, 1/27/2014" After getting off to (what I thought was a ) slow start, it became quite good. "
— Gabriella, 1/18/2014" Great story, great characters. No perfection, just human beings confronted with history. "
— Laurence, 1/14/2014" Set in Cornwall during the parliamentary wars, this story is told in the first person by Honor Harris, a beautiful woman crippled for life in an accident. The hero is Sir Richard Grenville. "
— Rae, 1/9/2014" I read this many many years ago and love it. Time to read it again. "
— Diane, 12/22/2013" I just happened to pick this up when I was staying at someones house in Kentucky. It was an easy read and I had heard a lot about Daphne du Maurier in the past so was quite curious. "
— Esther, 12/3/2013" Rich, fascinating, swashbuckling look at the English Civil War. This is the best of du Maurier's I've read so far. "
— K.M., 5/20/2013" Most of the characters are quite unlikeable, but I suppose that is their purpose. I found this to be a fascinating tale and enjoyed that it is based on true events, but it did leave me sighing in despair at the end! "
— Catherine, 12/17/2012" excellent historical novel with fantastic characterization. Fiction writing at its very best. "
— Jaclyn, 9/2/2012Daphne 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.
Juliet Stevenson is a narrator who is recipient of the AudioFile Golden Voice Award. She has won the prestigious Audie Award and numerous Earphones Awards for her narrations. She is a British actress on stage and screen and notably a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has also appeared in popular films such as Bend It Like Beckham and Mona Lisa Smile. She was honored as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. She received further recognition when she was nominated for several BAFTA Awards, and she earned an Olivier Award for her role in Death and the Maiden.