The Parasites (Virago Modern Classi...
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The backward glances at the careers of the young Delaneys reveal vistas of a vanishing Europe rich in colour and throbbing with old gaiety. The clash of the impulsive, artistic fa…
Book Summary
Daphne du Maurier's The Parasites is a sharp, absorbing novel about the Delaney family—three siblings whose artistic, chaotic upbringing clashes with the calculating aristocratic world they marry into. First published in 1949 and now a Virago Modern Classic, it offers rich period detail, psychological depth, and du Maurier's trademark narrative grip. A rewarding read for fans of character-driven literary fiction.
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About The Parasites (Virago Modern Classi...
The Parasites traces the intertwined lives of the three Delaney siblings—Maria, Niall, and Celia—children of a charismatic actor and a beautiful dancer. Raised in a world of theatrical glamour and emotional improvisation, they grow up ill-equipped for the conventional expectations of marriage, money, and responsibility. Du Maurier moves between past and present, revealing how their artistic, impulsive family collides with the calculating, aristocratic world of their spouses and in-laws. The novel explores dependency, loyalty, and the subtle ways people feed off one another—hence the provocative title. With vivid backward glances at a vanishing Europe, du Maurier paints a rich, colourful backdrop while dissecting the siblings' tangled affections and self-deceptions. The three Delaneys emerge as authentic, flawed characters whose story lingers. This Virago Modern Classic edition brings a mid-twentieth-century masterwork back to readers who appreciate psychological nuance and elegant storytelling.
Who should read The Parasites (Virago Modern Classi...?
This book suits readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction and family sagas with psychological depth. Fans of Daphne du Maurier's other novels—Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel—will recognise her gift for atmosphere and moral ambiguity. It will appeal to those interested in mid-twentieth-century British fiction, theatrical bohemia, and class tensions. Book clubs will find plenty to discuss in the siblings' interdependence and the novel's provocative title. Readers who appreciate Virago Modern Classics and women writers of the period will welcome this edition.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Rich, evocative portrait of a vanishing theatrical Europe
- ✓ Complex, psychologically credible sibling characters
- ✓ Du Maurier's signature narrative tension and atmosphere
- ✓ Sharp examination of class, marriage, and dependency
- ✓ Attractive Virago Modern Classic edition with established critical reputation
Cons
- ✗ Some readers may find the Delaneys self-absorbed and hard to like
- ✗ Non-linear structure can feel disorienting at first
- ✗ Slower pacing than du Maurier's suspense novels
- ✗ Period attitudes may feel dated to contemporary readers
- ✗ The provocative title may mislead those expecting a thriller
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Parasites a thriller like Rebecca?
No. It is a character-driven literary novel about family, class, and dependency, with psychological tension rather than suspense or mystery.
What does the title mean?
It refers to the emotional and material ways the Delaney siblings depend on—and perhaps exploit—one another and their spouses, raising questions about who truly gives and who takes.
Is this a standalone novel?
Yes, it is a complete standalone work first published in 1949, now reissued in the Virago Modern Classics series.
What edition is this?
This is the Virago Modern Classics edition, ISBN 9781844080724, which includes the novel text and series introduction materials typical of the line.
Who are the main characters?
The three Delaney siblings—Maria, Niall, and Celia—along with their spouses and in-laws, whose contrasting worlds drive the novel's central conflict.
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