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mugren's review against another edition
1.0
This book has had a recent resurgence seeing as how the story has actually come true. The UK is leaving Europe and joining a coalition with America. But it feels like a disguise for Du Maurier to trash Americans.
kate_in_a_book's review against another edition
4.0
An oddity in the du Maurier canon. This is set in the immediate future, so it's more dated than most of her books. Still very readable and enjoyable, though.
caseey's review
3.0
Not my usual thing what with the heavy focus on politics and the military but the fact it was tied into a domestic setting made it an enjoyable read overall. It was very chilling to see how normal life was turned upside down by the situation that unfolded. To be honest I'd probably enjoy reading the dullest of books if rewritten in the style of Daphne du Maurier and her writing was as flawless as ever in this novel.
ljwalker's review against another edition
4.0
I know this isn't 'typical' Du Maurier but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I think especially in light of Brexit, and everything else that has been going on at the same time, it's a fantastic examination of human reactions to extreme circumstances. Difficult to believe it's actually almost 50 years old!
I realise it was written as satire, and I understand it wasn't particularly well received at the time of its release. However the passage of time has, for me at least, done it a great many favours. I do have to wonder how I would have felt about this novel had I read it a decade ago.
Yes, it's absurd and farcical and all of that, but that took nothing away from it for me.
I think especially in light of Brexit, and everything else that has been going on at the same time, it's a fantastic examination of human reactions to extreme circumstances. Difficult to believe it's actually almost 50 years old!
I realise it was written as satire, and I understand it wasn't particularly well received at the time of its release. However the passage of time has, for me at least, done it a great many favours. I do have to wonder how I would have felt about this novel had I read it a decade ago.
Yes, it's absurd and farcical and all of that, but that took nothing away from it for me.
rcsreads's review against another edition
5.0
Brexit has gone tits up and the Americans are taking over!
This book was written in the 70s, shortly after we joined the EU but it's suddenly very topical. We follow a young woman named Emma who awakes to the sound of helicopters and finds marines advancing up the field towards her house. She lives with her granny, a retired actress, and her seven unruly adopted sons. At times it's like a cross between Wise Children and the Bashstreet Kids as they enlist a hermit and some farmers to fight the invasion!
Weird, funny and very British. I found myself loving it.
This book was written in the 70s, shortly after we joined the EU but it's suddenly very topical. We follow a young woman named Emma who awakes to the sound of helicopters and finds marines advancing up the field towards her house. She lives with her granny, a retired actress, and her seven unruly adopted sons. At times it's like a cross between Wise Children and the Bashstreet Kids as they enlist a hermit and some farmers to fight the invasion!
Weird, funny and very British. I found myself loving it.
linda_edwards's review against another edition
5.0
You never know what you'll get with a Daphne Du Maurier book and it certainly was in this case. Completely different from her others, yes it was quirky but also funny. Loved every page of it.
l_allan's review
4.0
Topical! The Cornwall setting is pure Du Maurier - would have loved more of this, but the story arc ended appropriately.
gripyfish's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
petekeeley's review
4.0
Published in 1972 (before we'd joined the EEC), Rule Britannia is an alternate history where the UK has left Europe after a referendum, and on the verge of Economic collapse has had to jump into bed with the USA and we're now called USUK. It becomes quickly apparent that is less of a union and more of an invasion. U.S. Warships off the coast of Cornwall. The resistance begins... Daphne must have had a crystal ball.