Listen free for 30 days
-
The King's General
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £19.69
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Rendezvous and Other Stories
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Edward De Souza
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Each story in The Rendezvous and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier explores a different human emotion. Narrated by Edward de Souza, this Audible Exclusive has something that will appeal to any mood....
-
-
Lost for words..."the best production I have ever listened to"
- By CaWa on 16-10-15
-
The Scapegoat
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Paul Shelley
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Daphne du Maurier's The Scapegoat is a classic tale of stolen identity. As dark as it is witty, it introduces listeners to the gloomy and despondent character of John the Englishman. When by chance, John comes face to face with his French doppelgänger, Jean, his bewilderment is quickly replaced with envy. Realising that Jean is in possession of everything he lacks but has always desired, he assumes the identity of his look-a-like, leaving his old, tedious life behind.
-
-
Brilliant and gripping
- By Cat on 09-05-16
-
Julius
- By: Daphne Du Maurier
- Narrated by: Michael Maloney
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Julius is a bleak and disturbing tale of one man’s unstoppable rise to the top and the shocking events that ensure he gets there. A dark twist on the typical rags-to-riches storyline, Julius follows the life of a young and ambitious French peasant (Julius Lévy) from his squalid life on the banks of the Seine to the vast majesty and wonders of London. With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, Julius is forced to flee for Algeria, where he soon learns the art of deception. Here, the listener is provided a glimpse into the mind of one of the most unlikable characters in literature.
-
-
A lesser known but outstanding book from Daphne du Maurier.
- By Andrew Lyndon-Skeggs on 08-11-18
-
Rebecca
- By: Daphne Du Maurier
- Narrated by: Anna Massey
- Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Daphne du Maurier's young heroine meets the charming Maxim de Winter and despite her youth, they marry and go to Manderley, his home in Cornwall. There, the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers and the mystery she keeps alive of his first wife Rebecca - said to have drowned at sea - threatens to overwhelm the marriage.
-
-
A classic story of love and life.
- By Antagonist on 30-06-13
-
My Cousin Rachel: Film Tie-In Edition
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Jonathan Pryce, Roger Michell
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ambrose Ashley, Philip's cousin, guardian, and god, married Rachel in Italy and died there. Jealous of his marriage and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin's widow with hatred in his heart.
-
-
Intriguing, atmospheric mystery
- By S. Dempsey on 23-06-13
-
Frenchman's Creek
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: John Castle
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking peace of mind, Lady Donna de Colomb flees the stews of London and the Restoration court for remote Navaron. There she finds the boundless passion her spirit craves - daring to love the pirate hunted by all Cornwall.
-
-
A pure delight
- By Anne on 25-05-11
-
The Rendezvous and Other Stories
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Edward De Souza
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Each story in The Rendezvous and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier explores a different human emotion. Narrated by Edward de Souza, this Audible Exclusive has something that will appeal to any mood....
-
-
Lost for words..."the best production I have ever listened to"
- By CaWa on 16-10-15
-
The Scapegoat
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Paul Shelley
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Daphne du Maurier's The Scapegoat is a classic tale of stolen identity. As dark as it is witty, it introduces listeners to the gloomy and despondent character of John the Englishman. When by chance, John comes face to face with his French doppelgänger, Jean, his bewilderment is quickly replaced with envy. Realising that Jean is in possession of everything he lacks but has always desired, he assumes the identity of his look-a-like, leaving his old, tedious life behind.
-
-
Brilliant and gripping
- By Cat on 09-05-16
-
Julius
- By: Daphne Du Maurier
- Narrated by: Michael Maloney
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Julius is a bleak and disturbing tale of one man’s unstoppable rise to the top and the shocking events that ensure he gets there. A dark twist on the typical rags-to-riches storyline, Julius follows the life of a young and ambitious French peasant (Julius Lévy) from his squalid life on the banks of the Seine to the vast majesty and wonders of London. With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, Julius is forced to flee for Algeria, where he soon learns the art of deception. Here, the listener is provided a glimpse into the mind of one of the most unlikable characters in literature.
-
-
A lesser known but outstanding book from Daphne du Maurier.
- By Andrew Lyndon-Skeggs on 08-11-18
-
Rebecca
- By: Daphne Du Maurier
- Narrated by: Anna Massey
- Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Daphne du Maurier's young heroine meets the charming Maxim de Winter and despite her youth, they marry and go to Manderley, his home in Cornwall. There, the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers and the mystery she keeps alive of his first wife Rebecca - said to have drowned at sea - threatens to overwhelm the marriage.
-
-
A classic story of love and life.
- By Antagonist on 30-06-13
-
My Cousin Rachel: Film Tie-In Edition
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Jonathan Pryce, Roger Michell
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ambrose Ashley, Philip's cousin, guardian, and god, married Rachel in Italy and died there. Jealous of his marriage and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin's widow with hatred in his heart.
-
-
Intriguing, atmospheric mystery
- By S. Dempsey on 23-06-13
-
Frenchman's Creek
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: John Castle
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking peace of mind, Lady Donna de Colomb flees the stews of London and the Restoration court for remote Navaron. There she finds the boundless passion her spirit craves - daring to love the pirate hunted by all Cornwall.
-
-
A pure delight
- By Anne on 25-05-11
-
Mary Anne
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Anne knew the grinding heel of poverty, and determined it would never grind her again. With beauty, brains, ambition, and the glittering decadence of Regency London to sustain her, she chose the only route that could take a cockney girl to the top, as mistress to the Royal Duke of York. But soon she provoked a scandal that rocked the country, placed the Duke on trial before Parliament, and risked losing Mary Anne everything.
-
-
Wonderfullly written and narrated
- By Rush on 04-07-08
-
The Flight of the Falcon
- By: Daphne Du Maurier
- Narrated by: James Callis
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Armino Fabbio is a simple Italian courier until an old woman is murdered. He discovers that the woman was his family’s servant a long time ago and returns to his family home in Ruffano to investigate. However, his return home isn’t a happy one as he discovers that his birthplace is haunted by the ghost of his brother. The spectre of a sinister Duke, otherwise known as ‘The Falcon’ also resides in the house. But as dark family secrets and history begin to resurface, how will a small-time businessman cope, and what will he learn?
-
-
Better than Gone Girl
- By KatDLF on 25-02-15
-
Jamaica Inn
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jamaica Inn stands alone on Bodmin Moor, stark and forbidding, its walls tainted with corruption. Young Mary Yellon soon learns of her uncle Joss Merlyn's strange trade here. But does he deal in blacker secrets still?
-
-
A grand story..narration not so grand
- By Jeremy P. James on 24-08-11
-
Hungry Hill
- By: Daphne Du Maurier
- Narrated by: Maureen O'Brien
- Length: 16 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Brodricks of Clonmere gain great wealth by harnessing the power of Hungry Hill and extracting the treasure it holds. The Donovans, the original owners of Clonmere Castle, resent the Brodricks' success, and consider the great house and its surrounding land theirs by rights. For generations the feud between the families has simmered, always threatening to break into violence...
-
-
Didn't finish it!
- By Altitude103 on 04-01-14
-
The Parasites
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With talented parents comes the burden of continuing the line of accomplishment, as Maria, Niall and Celia know all too well. The siblings subsequently formed a bond so profound that their lives constantly have a tremendous impact on those around them, this includes Maria’s husband, Charles - a gentleman who has been sucked into the parasitic world of the Delaney’s.
-
-
A bit disappointing
- By Rush on 31-07-09
-
Uncle Bernac
- A Memory of Empire
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Gabriel Woolf
- Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
First published in 1897, this murder mystery relates the story of a young Frenchman, Louis, who, having grown up in England, returns to France at the false invitation of his Uncle Bernac. Louis quickly finds himself in personal danger as well as involved in a conspiracy against Napoleon.
-
Eleanor the Queen
- By: Norah Lofts
- Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eleanor…young, high-spirited, supremely intelligent, heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine – at a time when a woman’s value was measured in terms of wealth. Her vivid leadership inspired and dazzled those about her. And yet, born to rule, she was continually repressed and threatened by the men who overshadowed her life. This is the story of a brilliant, medieval figure – of a princess who led her own knights to the Crusades, who was bride to two kings and mother of Richard the Lionheart.
-
The House on the Strand
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Michael Maloney
- Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dick Young stays in his friend Professor Magnus Lane's house in Cornwall, on the understanding he will be a guinea-pig for a new drug that Magnus has developed. As a result of the experiment he is transported back to fourteenth century Cornwall.
-
-
Du Maurier - enough said.
- By P J Young on 23-08-14
-
Echoes from the Macabre
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Valentine Dyall
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Featuring five tales of quiet terror from the classic short story collection. 'Don't Look Now' which was filmed by Nicolas Roeg and starred Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland 'Kiss Me Again Stranger', 'Not After Midnight', 'The Old Man' and 'The Birds', which was famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock.
-
-
great book but not as advertised
- By ian on 13-03-12
-
The Doll and Other Stories
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Hattie Morahan
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Doll and Other Stories is a collection of five lost tales and eight early stories from Daphne du Maurier. Previously unknown even to du Maurier’s son, these rediscovered works, unearthed in 2011, continue the dark, macabre themes which are present across the author’s back catalogue. Though often overlooked and evidently previously ignored, these early stories demonstrate how du Maurier learned her craft and tested different methods of story-telling.
-
-
Excellent
- By Karen Seary on 25-09-18
-
Wolf Hall
- The Wolf Hall Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Hilary Mantel
- Narrated by: Ben Miles
- Length: 25 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey's clerk and later his successor. Cromwell is a wholly original man: the son of a brutal blacksmith, a political genius, a briber, a charmer, a bully, a man with a delicate and deadly expertise in manipulating people and events.
-
-
Great story but too many saliva sounds
- By K. Patel on 17-07-20
-
The Honorary Consul
- By: Graham Greene
- Narrated by: Tim Pigott-Smith
- Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The gripping tragi-comedy of a bungled kidnapping in a provincial Argentinean town tells the story of Charley Fortnum, the 'Honorary Consul', a whisky-sodden figure of dubious authority, who is taken by a group of revolutionaries. As Eduardo Plarr, a local doctor, negotiates with revolutionaries and authorities for Fortnum's release, the corruption of both becomes evident.
-
-
Cracking Tale, Very Well Read
- By Robert on 29-04-12
Summary
Exclusively from Audible
When the skeleton of a young cavalier was found by William Rashleigh at Daphne du Maurier's beloved mansion, Menabilly, she once again found inspiration in her surroundings. Putting pen to paper, Daphne created The King's General, a historical tale which takes place during the English Civil War and introduces one of du Maurier's greatest heroines: Honor Harris.
Honor is a beautiful, brave and kind protagonist, a true embodiment of the name by which she goes. Her journey proves challenging as her hopes for marrying the man she loves are dashed when she is left incapacitated. Unwilling to let life pass her by, Honor decides to educate herself in order to gain a true understanding of England's political climate and the devastating impact it would come to have.
Steadfast, caring and intelligent, this heroine embodies female empowerment and resilience in a war-torn England. Having finished the story during the Second World War, parallels are often drawn between Honor and du Maurier herself. Not only was the author describing the frustration of having to stay at home while men fought, through first-hand experience, but much like Honor's love interest, Daphne's husband was a general in the military.
An artful and escapist tale, The King's General reveals a gothic side to Daphne du Maurier's writing which constantly leaves the listener wanting more.
Narrator Biography
Whether she's up on stage, behind the microphone or in front of the camera, Juliet Stevenson never fails to charm her audience. Her acting roles have cemented her status as one of the great British actresses of our time. Her popular performances of hits such as Apple Tree Yard, the book that was turned into a TV series that people just couldn't stop talking about, have earned her an overwhelming amount of well-deserved praise for her spoken word talents
Juliet graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and later became a member of its artistic council. Her theatre experience is vast and includes parts in Measure for Measure, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Burn This and Death and the Maiden.
She is also known for her film career in works such as Bend It Like Beckham, Emma, Truly Madly Deeply and Mona Lisa Smile.
Juliet Stevenson has been BAFTA-nominated and been the winner of a Laurence Olivier Award. In 1999, she was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for her services to Drama.
Juliet's other audiobook narrations include Sense and Sensibility, North and South, The Portrait of a Lady and Madame Bovary. These and many more can be found at Audible.
More from the same
What listeners say about The King's General
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- Maureen
- 22-10-08
The King's General
This beautifully read novel kept me enthralled to the very last moment. Set during the English Civil war it tells the story of Honor Harris and Sir Richard Grenville with all their trials and tribulations. Each character in this book (and there are many) is well defined and brought to life through the excellent narration. Each time I decided to put it aside for the day I found myself wanting to listen to another chapter and then not wanting the book to end.
A great listen, perfect for those long, cold winter nights.
30 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kaggy
- 09-05-15
Magnificent tale of treachery and love
The story begins on a melancholy note but quickly unravels into an intriguing saga filled with a wonderful cast of characters. As a young woman, the heroine, Honor, is introduced for the first time to her cunning and conniving new sister in law Gartred. It is immediately evident that these two are not going to become liasting friends. As time progresses, Honor meets Richard, the King's General, who is Gartred's brother and something of a chip off the old block. Despite this the two fall deeply and sincerely in love but their relationship is calamatous. When the war begins, Richard quite naturally fight's for the King's cause and Honor is on his side, but she is also an intelligent woman and astutely aware of the murky political situation. Woven into the story are complex plots, treachery, humour and incredibly moving moments. Richard and Honor are two kindred souls but his arrogant and often cruel behaviour constantly puts their happiness in danger.
It would be wrong to describe thiis story as a historical romance. There is nothing romantic about the English Civil War and Honor's love for Richard, is based around a complete awareness of his many and considerable faults.
This delivers everything you would expect from a book by Daphne Du Maurier. I am just astonished that it has never been made into a film. To make up for this, Juliet Stevenson's narration is first class as always.
.
24 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ingibjorg
- 10-06-13
I love this book!
One of my favourites! Juliet Stevenson's reading is a tour de force. It's a must read (listen)!
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Rush
- 05-03-10
A good read
I imagine that this reflects a fairly accurate picture of what went on in Cornwall and Devon during the Civil War, and it's very evocative of the good times and bad. Aside from the historical detail, we have an unusual love affair between two interesting characters, and I cried at the end. So that's good. I can't fault Juliet Stevenson for narration either.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Hazel
- 24-04-13
The Kings General
Well what can I say ... Daphne Du Maurier is such a great writer, I had not heard of this book which is surprising for I have collected her books for years, read and re-read them got them from audible and some on tape...thats how good they are.
This book as with all her books has everything, love interest, mystery, murder and an indefinable quality that keeps one gripped until the end, then you wish it had not ended!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- AReader
- 15-02-13
My favourite Daphne du Maurier
I always loved this story which we know from the start will be bittersweet. How much more romantic could it be? Their love transcends disability, war, exile and ruin.
Juliet Stephenson reads it very well, so that you hardly notice her.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 16-06-13
An historical romantic thriller -superb!
Daphne Du Maurier returns once again to Menabilly for a delicious blend of bitter sweet love amidst the ravages of Cornwall in the Civil War.
Juliet Sevenson is a brilliant narrator, which is high praise from me because I've returned 2 books due to awful nerve-grinding narration!
If you enjoy historical romance, flawlessly read, don't miss this audio book.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs
- 30-08-15
Gripping historical drama
I had never heard of this before and listened to it because I had enjoyed Rebecca, it was fascinating and drew me in. I didn't know anything about the civil war and how it played out down in Devon and Cornwall so it was interesting to learn as I got to know these intriguing characters. I am going to listen to more Daphne Du Maurier.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Susan
- 20-04-13
17th Century Menabilly
An enjoyable historical romance set mainly in Menabilly at the time of the English Civil War. A tragic heroine, a deeply flawed hero, a doomed romance and a secret hiding place are set against a backdrop of skirmishes between Cavaliers and Roundheads and internal feuds amongst the Cavaliers.
Not quite as atmospheric as Jamaica Inn but well worth a read if you like that sort of thing. Juliet Stevenson is an excellent narrator.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs. M. J. Jones
- 20-07-15
Wonderful
An excellent story of history, intrigue, romance and politics. Daphne Du Maurier never disappoints and her books are timeless.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Leslie Ross
- 18-06-10
Not Du Maurier's Finest Hour.
The King's General seems distanced from itself.
Daphne Du Maurier's work usually sweeps me into its world. This one, however, didn't.
In fact, my sense was that Du Maurier herself never really sank into this book when she was writing it. Her use of language is as masterful as ever- but the "feel" of the book, the tone and emotion that giving subtext to her words, is somehow distracted and "off."
This perplexed me, so I did a little digging (thanks, Wikipedia) and gathered some information that might interest you, if you are considering purchasing The King's General.
The book was published in 1946. It was the book Du Maurier was writing when her husband, "Boy" Browning, was away serving in the war.
The King's General is told by a character named Honor Harris, who is in love with Sir Richard Grenville, a Royalist general in the Civil War. In any given chapter, Honor Harris describes waiting for news of the war, worrying about her lover, the brief bursts of happiness when the war permits them to spend time together, and the deprivation and Spartan provisions of life during war time. These are undoubtedly topics Daphne Du Maurier was experiencing and thinking of in war-time Britain.
Honor Harris also spends parts of the Civil War at the house, Menabilly, which three centuries later would be the Du Mauriers home. I imagine Daphne Du Maurier writing The King's General to pass the time, to detach from her own worries about World War II by researching and writing this story about a different war.
So that made me the book, a little.
But, frankly, it's not her best work. It's a book written by an excellent writer when her real thoughts were elsewhere.
So keep that in mind. It ain't a great book, but if you're interested in Cornish history, the Civil War, or if you're waiting for a loved one to return home from war, it may be just the right book.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Rebecarol
- 24-05-08
"Generally" Good, pun intended
I listened to "The King's General" right before reading Ken Follett's "A Dangerous Fortune" and listening to these two books back-to-back clarified my evaluation of this one. "General" is historical fiction, but Follett plays in that genre too so I don't think the comparison is entirely unfair. Daphne Du Maurier is the superior writer-- some of her passages, descriptions, metaphors are memorably rendered. Follett is the more natural storyteller, he is able to establish a pace that keeps the reader engrossed, eager to find out what happens next. Du Maurier's characters are not *as* shallowly rendered as Follett's, but they're not characters that the reader establishes a true relationship with. Despite the fact that her book is written in the first person, which makes that relationship easier, I didn't ever fully embrace the characters as I do in the best of books. I don't think it matters that she is writing within the constraints of historical information and personalities as there is rich terrain to mine here. So I would give her four stars for the writing itself, three for characterization and plot. The reader is very good, the story is interesting but not compelling. Good, not great whether you love to read about English history or not.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- M-M
- 30-06-09
Fascinating historical romance
This story is set against the backdrop of the conflict between Cromwell and the King of England, Charles I. It's one of the ultimate stories of yearning and devotion to a love that can never be.
1 person found this helpful