pickPatrick Branwell Bronte has always been the least well known, yet in his early life he showed equal promise, being the main inspiration or “Genius Brannii“ of their early literary exploits.
I'm not convinced the evidence is strong enough that Branwell could claim even part credit for Wuthering Heights, but I did find Du Maurier's hypothesis about the rumoured love affair with the wife of his employer, being a cover story made sense. 3.5 🌟
pick#stepsibs #spinster Pappy is a singer , Mamma is a dancer. Both had kids from earlier relationships. Maria,Niall ,& the youngest they had together,Celia.
Theater is an itinerant life, the stepsibs bond is strong & it gives them a different perspective on life than most families.I fell in love w/ this book , when they set out to a country house to meet the family Maria would marry into,well it‘s one of the funniest things I‘ve ever read ! Celia 🔽
pickDaphne du Maurier's novels often have many layers. The Parasites is no different and is a great exploration of character and the strong ties that connect an unconventional family to one another. This novel also contains much about du Maurier who said herself that Maria, Niall, and Celia were all facets of her own personality. It‘s a well written psychological exploration and a compelling read.
pickThat was really good. It was a bit slow in a few parts, but so unique in format and subject. I loved du Maurier‘s “Rebecca” and did not like “My Cousin Rachel,” so I‘m glad this one was good. It all starts with Maria‘s husband, Charles, calling her and her half-siblings, Niall and Celia, parasites. Then goes back and forth between past and present to reflect on that. Tragic and melancholy story of siblings in the show business and family worlds.
“It was Charles who called us the parasites.”
#FirstLineFridays
Another well-written passage, this time a conversation about people going to a theater after they die to watch their lives back.
