Hungry Hill (novel) facts for kids
First UK edition
|
|
| Author | Daphne du Maurier |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Gollancz (UK) Doubleday (US) |
|
Publication date
|
1943 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| OCLC | 8830337 |
Hungry Hill is an exciting novel written by the famous British author Daphne du Maurier. It was first published in 1943 and was her seventh book. Many copies of this book have been printed over the years.
Contents
What is Hungry Hill About?
Hungry Hill tells a big story about a family, like a long family history. It was inspired by the real Irish ancestors of Daphne du Maurier's friend, Christopher Puxley. This family in the book is a lot like the Puxleys, who used to own mines in a place called Allihies in County Cork, Ireland.
The Brodrick Family Story
The novel covers a whole century, from 1820 to 1920. It follows five different men from the Brodrick family. They are Anglo-Irish landowners who live in a grand castle named Clonmere.
The book is split into five main parts, plus a final section called an epilogue. Each part focuses on a different heir of the family and a period of his life:
- Book One: Copper John (1820 - 1828)
- Book Two: Greyhound John (1828 - 1837)
- Book Three: "Wild Johnnie" (1837 - 1858)
- Book Four: Henry (1858 - 1874)
- Book Five: Hal (1874 - 1895)
- Epilogue: The Inheritance (1920)
The Meaning of the Title
You might think the title Hungry Hill refers to a real mountain called Hungry Hill in County Cork. The author's description of the hill in the book is very similar to the real one.
However, the title means more than just a mountain. It refers to a curse placed on the Brodrick family. This curse was made by Morty Donovan, who was a big enemy of the family's first leader, Copper John Brodrick. The title also suggests that the mines seem to "swallow up" the lives of the Brodrick family. This happens through early deaths, bad choices, and general unhappiness over five generations.
Where Does the Story Take Place?
Many of the places mentioned in the novel are made up. The book never directly says the story is set in Ireland. But you can guess it's Ireland from a few clues. For example, characters talk about "crossing the water" to get to London. Also, Hal leaves from Liverpool to go to Canada. In the last part of the book, the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) is mentioned, which clearly points to Ireland.
Film Adaptation
The story of Hungry Hill was made into a movie in 1947. It was directed by Brian Desmond Hurst.
See also
- Hungry Hill
- Castletownbere
