The Years Between by Daphne du Maurier

The Years Between by Daphne du Maurier
In the early 1940s, Diana Wentworth's MP husband, Michael, is reported missing - presumed killed in action.
Once over the shock, she builds a new life - taking over Michael's seat in parliament, and falling in love with a much more suitable man.
But on the eve of their wedding, a phone call brings Diana shattering news....
Daphne du Maurier's 1945 stage play dramatised for radio by Jill Hyem.
CAST
Diana Wentworth …. Diana Quick
Michael Wentworth …. Roger Allam
Richard Llewelyn …. David Collings
Robin Wentworth …. Peter England
Sir Ernest Foster …. Frederick Treves
The Vicar …. Derek Waring
Director: Cherry Cookson

[@christrinder1255]

This story shows the true brilliance of this authoress ……

[@compassrose7888]

Beautiful play and performances, thanks so much.

[@Teapot333]

Absolutely brilliant. Stellar cast too. Thanks 👍👍

[@lorraineross9829]

FANTASTIC PLEASE MORE MORE MORE...THANK YOU

[@suspendeddisbelief401]

Such variety of late. Thank you so much for your work.

[@maxinejacobson4006]

Very enjoyable.

[@janebrown7231]

Second listen - well worth it. Fantastic cast - du Maurier always attracted famous names in acting for her plays, from the early days onwards. Her well-known parents, actor and actor-manager, may have eased the way at first, but great actors were attracted to the parts she wrote. Her plays were very successful immediately, and had very long runs at classic London theatres. Du Maurier experienced a lot of literary criticism, which may have contributed to her later reclusive life, in which she avoided the press at all costs. Her novels and plays were considered by harsh critics as 'women's popular fiction' and not of great value, even though none of her work followed a 'happy ever after' style, as she pointed out. However, she was later acknowledged to be an accomplished writer who explored subjects in much greater depth than this suggested. Of much more serious concern were two major accusations of plagiarism - that she had stolen the plots of her wildly successful novel Rebecca and also The Birds (later a Hitchcock film) from two other authors. There was enough substantiation for this to be entirely possible. (Plot spoiler) The Years Between was severely criticised, particularly as a toff's idea of the war, living comfortably with servants and without hardship. I think this was entirely biased and unfounded. Daphne du Maurier was not writing an exploration of the war. This is the personal story of a woman and her commitment to a narcissistic and manipulative partner, in which her misguided sense of loyalty and the mores of the day push her into staying, which involves giving up happiness in discovering herself and an equal and supportive relationship with a real man - and a loving and supportive new father for her son. She explores how women's intellect, knowledge, skills and aptitudes were minimised and devalued. This work is known to have a significant autobiographical content, and her explorations of relationships are what keep her readers loyal. I see a parallel with the plot of Rebecca... in both, there is an absent partner (each dead, at least in a sense), assumed by everyone to be an idol, but who is revealed to be narcissistic and very hard to love. I would very much recommend the story, and particularly listening with the benefit of a superb, all-star cast like this.

[@johndean958]

Thankyou for your appreciated input. I wasnt aware of these facts. I am so glad you have spoken up for this obviously, brilliant Author/Writer. Well said. John (Australia)

[@janebrown7231]

@johndean958 Thank you, John. Your comment is much appreciated too.

[@MRJERRYCURTIN]

Appreciated John

[@nigeloakes4957]

DdM....always worth a listen.

[@TedaR]

Not a fan of this one but still love DdM & FMD

[@VLind-uk6mb]

I like this story, but I'm not sure if I prefer the audio version or the movie. If you want to try the latter, it's on YT. Rather good, just slightly different.