Introduction of the book

Daphne du Maurier

The Parasites

'The Parasites' is a psychological study of the people who make up the Delaney family, namely Pappy, Mama and their three children Maria, Niall and Celia and the effect they have on one another and on Charles Wyndham, who is married to Maria. Pappy is a singer, a larger than life, warm, flamboyant character who loves to entertain and who needs to be surrounded by people. Maria is his daughter from a brief relationship with a Viennese actress. Maria is fair haired, tall, slim and attractive, a born actress with lots of confidence. Mama is small, remote and single minded about her dancing. Niall is her son from an even briefer affair with a French pianist, he is dark haired and pale. When he is young he is lacking in confidence and later has little self motivation or sense of direction, despite a real talent for composing music. Celia is the child of both Pappy and Mama, she is plump and plain, a peacemaker, who puts others before herself and busies herself looking after people. She is a good artist and writes stories. Charles is a mild mannered gentleman who comes from a titled family far removed from the bohemian lifestyle of the Delaney family.