6. ‘The puzzle pieces fit too late’

Castle Dor (1962), a novel adaptation of the Tristan legend begun by Arthur Quiller-Couch (‘Q’) and posthumously completed by Daphne Du Maurier, is an unusual subject of study for both the fields of narratology and genetic criticism. This chapter compares the novel’s MS and published versions to provide a survey of its narratological changes over time. It attempts to reveal how both authors work with the story constraints of the Tristan legend and how Du Maurier’s adjustments to the temporal setting, narrative framing, focalisation, and characterisation of the MS smooth out its tonal dissonances and minimise digressions, while maintaining much of Q’s voice and vision.