Book Review-Flight Of the Falcon

by Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier’s The Flight of the Falcon aims to weave a tale of intrigue, sibling rivalry, and the shadows of history against the backdrop of post-war Europe. While the premise is promising, blending familial estrangement, dark secrets, and the haunting legacy of war-torn Italy, the novel ultimately struggles to deliver the intoxicating experience one might expect from such ingredients.

The story begins abruptly, twenty years after Italy’s occupation by German forces during World War II. Armino Fabbio, the younger son of the Ducal Donati family, has settled into an uneventful life as a tour guide in Rome. His mundane existence is upended when he becomes implicated in the murder of an elderly peasant woman. To his shock, she turns out to be the beloved servant of his childhood in Ruffano. This discovery propels Armino back to his hometown, setting the stage for a confluence of personal and historical reckoning.

Ruffano itself is as much a character in the novel as Armino or his brother, Aldo Donati, now the commanding and enigmatic Director of Arts at Ruffano University. The town, caught in a clash between the arts and economics faculties, is also preparing for a festival under Aldo’s leadership. The centerpiece of the festival is a theatrical resurrection of Duke Claudio, the infamous “Falcon,” whose brutal reign over Ruffano centuries earlier casts long shadows. The novel deftly intertwines these layers of history, asking whether humanity ever truly evolves—or merely wears different masks.

Du Maurier’s ambition to explore the cyclical nature of violence and power is commendable. The parallels between the Donati brothers’ rivalry and the violent legacy of Duke Claudio lend the narrative a sense of symmetry. However, the execution falters. While the tension between Aldo and Armino simmers, it lacks the psychological depth and intensity that characterize du Maurier’s best works. Unlike Rebecca, where the haunting atmosphere pulls readers into the protagonist’s spiraling psyche, or Jamaica Inn, which brims with palpable danger, The Flight of the Falcon feels more restrained, even detached.

The novel’s pacing and structure contribute to this sense of detachment. The opening, set in Rome, feels disjointed from the central drama in Ruffano, and the narrative struggles to find its rhythm. When the story does gain momentum, particularly in the unfolding mystery of Aldo’s motivations and the festival’s sinister undertones, it is often undercut by a lack of emotional resonance. The relationships, particularly between Armino and Aldo, feel underexplored, leaving readers yearning for the raw, emotional confrontations du Maurier is capable of delivering.

Nevertheless, the novel is not without its moments of brilliance. Du Maurier’s prose is evocative, particularly in her descriptions of Ruffano. The town, with its slumbering buildings and the tolling campanile, exudes a nostalgic charm that contrasts starkly with the violence of its history. Passages like, “I feel as a phantom would, returning after death,” capture the eerie interplay of past and present, imbuing the narrative with a spectral quality.

Thematically, The Flight of the Falcon raises intriguing questions about rebellion, identity, and the nature of leadership. Aldo’s festival becomes a microcosm of broader societal dynamics, challenging notions of order and chaos. The line, “How can an insurrection be orderly?” encapsulates the tension between the idealism of youth and the pragmatism of power—a recurring motif in the novel.

Ultimately, The Flight of the Falcon is a thought-provoking, if uneven, exploration of post-war Europe’s fractured psyche. While it lacks the immersive suspense of Rebecca or the visceral energy of Jamaica Inn, it offers readers moments of introspection and glimpses of du Maurier’s literary genius. For those drawn to historical reflections and the complexities of sibling relationships, this book makes for an interesting read, particularly if one has a challenge to complete or a trophy to collect.

Author:             Daphne Du Maurier

Publisher:        Virago Modern Classics

ISBN:                1-84408-070-6

Buying option: Amazon In