21. Rule Britannia, Daphne Du Maurier (1972)
This is what happens to people when they lose their identity, when they stop being themselves...the person doesn't develop, it gets swamped, and it happens to communities, to villages, to countries under invasion, however benign the intention.
This, Du Maurier's last novel, is a surprisingly prescient and topical piece of work. Set in the late 1970s, the British people have voted to reject the EEC, only to find themselves joined in an alliance with the US. The residents of a small town in Cornwall wake one morning to find marines in the bay and a town under seige. Its a family saga, as it focuses on a family consisting of a grandmother, her six adopted sons, and her granddaughter. It also satirises the Kernow seperatist movement - and having houseshared with two Cornishwomen whilst at University, this does exist, with very strong views. However, the naivety of the central character grates, and it does contain elements of racism which I wasn't overly comfortable reading. However, if you want to try something different, and a little bit frightening, you could give this a try.
This, Du Maurier's last novel, is a surprisingly prescient and topical piece of work. Set in the late 1970s, the British people have voted to reject the EEC, only to find themselves joined in an alliance with the US. The residents of a small town in Cornwall wake one morning to find marines in the bay and a town under seige. Its a family saga, as it focuses on a family consisting of a grandmother, her six adopted sons, and her granddaughter. It also satirises the Kernow seperatist movement - and having houseshared with two Cornishwomen whilst at University, this does exist, with very strong views. However, the naivety of the central character grates, and it does contain elements of racism which I wasn't overly comfortable reading. However, if you want to try something different, and a little bit frightening, you could give this a try.