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Daphne Du Maurier
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The Parasites Kindle Edition

by Daphne du Maurier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 395 ratings
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When people play the game: Name three or four persons whom you would choose to have with you on a desert island - they never choose the Delaneys. They don't even choose us one by one as individuals. We have earned, not always fairly we consider, the reputation of being difficult guests . . .

Maria, Niall, and Celia have grown up in the shadow of their famous parents - their father, a flamboyant singer and their mother, a talented dancer. Now pursuing their own creative dreams, all three siblings feel an undeniable bond, but it is Maria and Niall who share the secret of their parents' pasts.

Alternately comic and poignant, The Parasites is based on the artistic milieu its author knew best, and draws the reader effortlessly into that magical world.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Little, Brown and Company
  5. Publication date
    December 17, 2013
  6. File size
    1740 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the last century's most original literary talents―Daily Telegraph

A novel about three step-siblings of complicated parentage, growing up wildly in a crazy Bohemian theatrical family, inspired by du Maurier's own . . . intriguing . . . captivating . . . [The Parasites] is unexpected, and fun, and one of her own favourites―Margaret Drabble

About the Author

Daphne du Maurier was born in 1906 and educated at home and in Paris. She began writing in 1928, and many of her bestselling novels were set in Cornwall, where she lived for most of her life. She was made a DBE in 1969 and died in 1989.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GR5MZEQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company (December 17, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 17, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1740 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 395 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Daphne Du Maurier

Daphne Du Maurier

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Daphne du Maurier was born in 1906 and educated at home and in Paris. She began writing in 1928, and many of her bestselling novels were set in Cornwall, where she lived for most of her life. She was made a DBE in 1969 and died in 1989.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
395 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have read Daphne du Maurier for many years. I am very glad that there are so many of them available for Kindle now, I've been waiting!
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Karen M
4.0 out of 5 stars An Unorthodox Family Living a Bohemian Lifestyle
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a tragic tale of 3 amazing children who are raised by globetrotting parents—each famous in their own right—who put their careers and needs far above their children. Nonetheless, the children are cared for by nannies, cooks, and housekeepers and seem to each develop their talents as best they can. Narcissism dominates all the relationships in highly dysfunctional ways. Two of the children are raised together as siblings from birth but they are step. They are drawn together as brother and sister, but there is an uncomfortable sexual tension between the two. Both are very hedonistic and very talented artists on stage and music. Celia is the one daughter who is the daughter of both parents. She accepts the role of nurturer and peacemaker within the family. She, too, has undeveloped talent in drawing, but she chooses her family’s needs over hers. The story is set before, during, and post-World War II which heightens the drama and tragedy of their lives. This story’s themes are as relevant today as they were then.
6 people found this helpful
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GHK
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read, but not for everyone
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2011
I consider this book, along with "Flight of the Falcon" to be among Du Maurier's best, though this is very definitely a minority opinion. It says more about me than about Du Maurier that my favorites among her books are two that are not well regarded by her larger public.

You have to be familiar with the overall British milieu of the time, and a passing familiarity (even second hand) with the British music hall system to fully comprehend the atmosphere created by the author. Still, even without, the book is a case study of how genius and selfishness are intertwined. In particular, it brings out how genius demands sacrifice, not just from the artist but from those that love him/her.

Be warned: the book is not exactly a `feel-good' affair, I find myself depressed for days after each re-read.
11 people found this helpful
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Rosette Farrugia
3.0 out of 5 stars Not the usual Du Maurier
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2020
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Not a story but rather a study of characters,it is rather dragging at the beginning but then it gains momentum feeling intriged by parental influence or selfishness.a sad lot who seem to hide their loneliness but undecided what they really want from life.
5 people found this helpful
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James R. Calder
4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2012
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In 1949, after years of publishing historical sagas,
DdM produced "The Parasites" -- a fascinating social
comedy. 3 siblings whose parents were famous performers
reflect on their lives after the humorless husband of one
calls them parasites. He's a boor, jealous of their
worldliness, easy talent and charm. People find them
irresistible.

It's a most personal novel for DdM, coming when her
marriage was in crisis. The siblings mirror different
aspects of DdM's personality. On publication, it disappointed
her fans: it lacks gothic trappings, suspense, romance.
It's a portrait of several lives and crammed with insightful
comedy. It also has an incestuous motif and a wounding finale.

"The Parasites" is not for readers with Third Grade mentality.
DdM again conveys rich atmosphere with a few strokes; she
knows how to entertain on a high level. She reminds us that
we can survive anything, except death.
7 people found this helpful
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Pete H. Dempcy
2.0 out of 5 stars not the best DeMaurier novel
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2022
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I like most of her books but not this one so much. not much of a story line
One person found this helpful
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Hapless52
4.0 out of 5 stars If you enjoy
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2019
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Du Maurier, you’ll like this look at a family of three talented, rudderless people living between the wars in Britain. The author plays cleverly with point of view, switching the narrative from character to character seamlessly.
2 people found this helpful
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Alyse Burman
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
I love Daphne DuMaurier's books. However, The Parasites was not of her better books. A little disappointed.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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christine Marianne
5.0 out of 5 stars TB
Reviewed in France on December 30, 2019
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Livre peu connu je le recommande vivement
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KaloSky
5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars, again
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2016
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A family saga of three step/half siblings raised by their famous performer parents. This is closer to a comedy than most of Daphne Du Mauier's books, despite elements of a sinister nature (such as quasi-incestuous relations between step-siblings) and a delicate portrayal of spinsterhood. It really just explores the influences of a fairly unconventional family and eccentric but loving parents, playing out the range of possible outcomes by the contrasting lives of the three children. One tries to balance her stardom on the stage with marriage (to an upper-class heir) and children; one has an affair with an older woman and finds fame writing bad music; and one becomes a carer for her aging father, turning down chances for success by failing to publish her art and stories. I'm not sure that "The Parasites" is the most appropriate title - it's supposed to allude to at least one and possibly all three main characters. The focus, besides the one on family, is on the theme of success, and in particular success in artistic careers, but fame isn't portrayed as particularly parasitic - it's just the life the three siblings have been born into and the background to the paths their lives take. As with many of Daphne Du Maurier's works, when I reached the end I felt like I could have continued reading for a lot longer, partly because it was rather abrupt and inconclusive, and partly because I was enjoying the book very much and wanted to continue following the lives of these characters.
10 people found this helpful
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Lotte-Lale
5.0 out of 5 stars The Parasites
Reviewed in Germany on February 5, 2016
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Hervorragend und faszinierend vom Anfang bis Ende. Ein Lieblingsbuch seit Jahren und nicht mehr leicht zu bekommen. Herzlichen Dank dafür.
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Amazon Kunde
4.0 out of 5 stars Who is a parasite?
Reviewed in Germany on July 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
It's about a patchwork Bohemian family - laughter, love and loss. Questions of ambition, success vs bringing up kids unravel. Not less the passionate love between brother and sister. This - and more - published in 1947!
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bedelia
4.0 out of 5 stars Ok
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
I haven't had a chance to read the book as yet... Its rather an old copy but OK,,,,
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