READING LOG #001.2 - Frenchman's Creek, by Daphne du Maurier

 

READING LOG #001.2 - Frenchman's Creek, by Daphne du Maurier

And so we finally meet the man who will, I think, be the love interest in the story, the pirate who sleeps in Dona’s bed when she’s not there, and who seems to have completely mesmerized her from their first meeting with his amusing charm and most probably the forbidden element that he represents. She’s one of the crew now, and I’m still not sure how that happened. Bored aristocrats will do almost anything for a thrill, I suppose, and Dona didn’t even have to think about it when he asked her to sign her name and “join his ship’s company”. It’s almost unreal, a dream - and du Maurier herself makes that note when the men kiss Dona’s hand. Did she know how outlandish the whole thing would seem to readers? Then again, that’s the point: to be outlandishly indulgent.

And, of course, the seductive, understanding pirate who truly sees her also happens to be honorable, stealing only from the wealthy. And thank God he doesn’t wear those powdered wigs! Listening to this in audiobook format, I found all of these pieces amusing. He's the very definition of the perfect gentleman - except he's not, really, is he? It's fascinating to experience, but regardless of his character, his importance in the story is more so that he represents Dona's agency.

I can respect Dona’s desire to be free. She finds herself in a gilded cage, at a time when women had little prospects. Married young, she seems at times childish. I can see how these elements could influence her.