Du Maurier’s novel is difficult to classify. I almost want to identify it as a young adult novel, since many of the novel’s main characters are under the age of twenty. Even the various adults who appear and disappear throughout the novel are childlike in appearance and action. At times, the reader feels as if the children are the ones in charge here, since they seem to have the most dominant presence. Of the the seven or so du Maurier novels I’ve so far read, this is by far the wackiest in regard to plot. The Americans have seized the UK to form a union in order to preserve the economic stability of the two countries—the USUK. The novel is focused on one small Cornish town’s efforts to thwart and expel these unwelcome invaders. In truth, this isn’t one of du Maurier’s best novels. The progression of the story is very much like du Maurier’s description of Mad’s driving skills: [...]they swerved out of the lane at the top of the hill and on to the main road, taking the corner like the driver of a bob-sleigh at St. Moritz.[...] It was clear, fortunately for the bob-sleigh team, until they reached the bottom of the hill, when Mad, with great presence of mind, slammed her foot on the break and brought her craft to a halt almost immediately beneath a road-block that barred further progress.The story accelerates at full tilt, hurtling wildly before careening to a sudden stop at the end with a few casualties dispersed here and there along the way. Because the story is told in such a brusk manner, not enough detail is given regarding the reasons that lead up to this invasion or what’s to happen afterwards. Like the Poldrea townsfolk, the reader is just as baffled and confused by the sudden turn of events. Truly, the novel is one a wild ride.That said, there are some absolutely priceless moments interspersed throughout. It is du Maurier after all. The descriptions of Mad and her brood of adopted boys are wonderfully and unabashedly vivid. Reading this novel really is like watching a film. It’s the best part of this book. Here are a few gems:The middle boys also had bunks, but their room was larger than the little boys’ lair, and it had a distinctive smell. This was due to the wired-off portion, containing a very ancient grey squirrel which, Sam had decided, could no longer fend for itself. The squirrel had shared the bedroom with him and Andy for several weeks. Discarded nut-shells scattered the floor.The thing was, Mad’s cakes were terribly hit or miss, generally miss, and the net result, as Pa used to say, was like molten lead. Her one or two successes had gone to her head, but usually the effect upon everybody’s digestion was damaging to the extreme and the cakes had to be crumbled up the next day and given to the birds. [...] ‘I think it’s going to be all right,’ sad Mad later, inspecting her creation, which, on emerging from the oven and being turned out of its tin, looked like a semi-inflated, khaki coloured balloon and exuded a curious smell of burnt almonds and bitter chocolate. ‘It’s risen, anyway. They don’t always.’An interaction between an American captain, the blond, curly-haired six year-old cherub Colin and three year-old Ben, who’s being taught to learn how to speak by Colin: ‘Want your picture taken, honey?’ [Colin] said in an American accent, and pressing a button let fly a wriggling snake on a spring that leapt into the air and hit the captain in the eye. ‘Fuck off,’ said Ben, clapping his hands.‘The Jesus talk was much better than a think-in,’ insisted Colin, trying to pull away Terry’s crutch, ‘because afterwards we had to act scenes from Jesus’ life. The others did loaves and fishes, and went round the class pretending to give each other bread. I thought that was silly. I took my ruler and lashed out at them all, and when Miss Birkett asked what I was doing and said it wasn’t right to be rough, I said I was Jesus whipping the money lenders in the Temple. Mrs. Hubbard went away after that. She said she had to go on to another school. Miss Birkett gave me a star, all the same.’As a final note, in all of her books, du Maurier describes situations honestly and unabashedly. Some moments in her books are quite uncomfortable to read. But one thing I am glad about this novel is that du Maurier doesn’t shirk away from blame and culpability. Some of the characters in this novel do commit horrible acts. Though these acts seem to be generally praised by the majority, there are a few characters who do maintain a conscience throughout, and the sense of guilt is slowly spread and felt, even including the culprit. Overall, Rule Britannia is a very strange read, yet it’s wildly engaging.
I absolutely loved this book which (as one reviewer has already noted) is still alarmingly relevant today despite being published in 1972. So the premise is as follows: a coalition government (sound familiar??) goes into the EU (named the EEC then) and it's a disaster - there are protests and they pull out (hmmm, UKIP anyone?). This leads to financial meltdown in Europe (still sounding familiar...) and as a result the only hope for Britain is an American takeover bid - and USUK is born (I tried not to read it as "You suck" but failed). The story commences in a corner of Cornwall where Emma and her ex-actress grandmother ("Mad" by name and nature) and their adopted sons are surprised to suddenly find the power cut, an American warship at anchor in the bay and Marines everywhere. This was du Maurier's final book, but she has lost absolutely nothing by the end of her writing career. The story starts slowly with the death of a dog (shot by nervy marines) and gathers momentum so that after initial collaboration with their "invaders" the inhabitants of the community evolve into a "them and us" scenario and terrorism is the result. It really is a masterly novel with the tension building wonderfully - it reminded me of Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now - or rather Rosoff's book reminds me of this, because obviously this came first. It's not perfect and there are some anachronisms in there - Du Maurier's racial stereotyping leaves a lot to be desired - but then it was written in the 70s. Overall, I would really recommend this if you are a fan of the new wave of books about the end of it all. This is a classic and not to be missed.
What do You think about Rule Britannia (2013)?
Have always loved the author's books. This is a new one for me and I was initially doubtful because it was a "futuristic" type story written in early 70's. But the storytelling is superb. Told by a 20 year old young woman in a household of an aging grandmother and a group of adopted young boys, living on the coast of Cornwall. The UK has left the Europeans and bonded with the USA in order to save the country from ruin. A "union" of the two was devised, but the Americans seem to make it an occupation of the country instead of a partnership. Americans were not portrayed in a positive manner. But the story of the farmers and people of the area was inspiring and very good. The characters well done.
—Judy
I really enjoyed the first 100 pages or so. I loved the crazy family dynamic. Then the plot line got a little random but I still enjoyed it and stayed up unitl 2:30 to finish it. I wish the relationships between the children and Emma were more defined as it seems that they aren't close with her as they are with their room mates. I also wish that Joe and Emmas relationship was more clear or developed. I wish also that we could find out about Mr Willis and what exactly he was doing. Otherwise an enjoyable read.
—Bethany
When I started reading 'Rule Britannia', it seemed very firmly in the 'cosy catastrophe' sub-genre. It is set in rural Cornwall during the 1970s. After a period of economic chaos, the UK suddenly forms a political union with America, which to the book's characters manifests itself as a very unwelcome military occupation. The tale is told by Emma, a spirited but rather directionless young woman of twenty. She lives with her grandmother, an eccentric retired actress, and her grandmother's six adopted sons. For the first eighty pages or so, the narrative gently and amusingly introduces the characters and bucolic setting. From then on, the story becomes a lot darker and quite gripping. It asks interesting questions about the practicality and morality of resistance to occupation, making it clear that there are no easy answers. This is the first Du Maurier novel I've read and I liked the combination of frivolity and thoughtfulness in her writing. The characters were entertaining but retained a certain depth and ambiguity. Even Emma's apparent naivety was well tempered by the strength of her protectiveness towards her family, even in extreme circumstances. In fact, the unconventional family unit rang very true to me, especially the conversations between Emma's grandmother and her father in which they constantly talked over one another. 'Rule Britannia' isn't a dystopia, but it leans slightly in that direction. I would still place it in the 'cosy catastrophe' sub-genre with a side of family drama. Nonetheless, it has a darkness about it as well, which kept me reading avidly.
—Anna
