Product Description

"Rebecca", published in 1938, brought its author instant international acclaim, capturing the popular imagination with its haunting atmosphere of suspense and mystery. But the more fame this and her other books encouraged, the more reclusive "Daphne du Maurier" became. Margaret Forster's award-winning biography could hardly be more worthy of its subject. Drawing on private letters and papers, and with the unflinching co-operation of Daphne du Maurier's family, Margaret Forster explores the secret drama of her life - the stifling relationship with her father, actor-manager Gerald du Maurier; her troubled marriage to war hero and royal aide, 'Boy' Browning; her wartime love affair; her passion for Cornwall and her deep friendships with the last of her father's actress loves, Gertrude Lawrence, and with an aristocratic American woman. Most significant of all, Margaret Forster ingeniously strips away the relaxed and charming facade to lay bare the true workings of a complex and emotional character whose passionate and often violent stories mirrored her own fantasy life more than anyone could ever have imagined.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26899 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

From the Publisher
Meticulously researched, a masterpiece of biography and storytelling where subject and author are perfectly matched...

From the Back Cover
Rebecca, published in 1938, brought its author instant international acclaim, capturing the popular imagination with its haunting atmosphere of suspense and mystery. But the more fame this and her other books encouraged, the more reclusive Daphne du Maurier became.

Margaret Forster's award-winning biography could hardly be more worthy of its subject. Drawing on private letters and papers, and with the unflinching co-operation of Daphne du Maurier's family, Margaret Forster explores the secret drama of her life - the stifling relationship with her father, actor-manager Gerald du Maurier; her troubled marriage to war hero and royal aide, 'Boy' Browning; her wartime love affair; her passion for Cornwall and her deep friendships with the last of her father's actress loves, Gertrude Lawrence, and with an aristocratic American woman.

Most significant of all, Margaret Forster ingeniously strips away the relaxed and charming facade to lay bare the true workings of a complex and emotional character whose passionate and often violent stories mirrored her own fantasy life more than anyone could ever have imagined.

‘A startlingly good biography’ The Times

‘Margaret Forster can do no wrong ... The story is as gripping as Rebecca, as full of surprises as My Cousin Rachel … affectionate, honest, unsentimental and perceptive’ Daily Mail

‘Convincing throughout ... Margaret Forster’s interpretation of her subject is so complete and so persuasive that it leaves nothing for the reader to do except admire and enjoy’ Independent on Sunday

About the Author
Born in Carlisle, Margaret Forster is the author of many successful novels - including Lady's Maid, Have the Men Had Enough?, The Memory Box, Diary of an Ordinary Woman, and most recently Keeping the World Away - as well as bestselling memoirs, and biographies of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Daphne du Maurier. She is married to writer and journalist Hunter Davies and lives in London and the Lake District.

Customer Reviews

Excellent biography of a fascinating woman...
I ordered this biography after reading Rebecca and Jamaica Inn, they were so good I had to know more about the author Du Maurier. This biography got me hooked from the beginning, its written part novel, part fact based. It doesnt bore you with lots of dates and names but includes all the important stuff with Forsters own interpretation of Du Mauriers life. Well written, lovely photos throughout. A highly recommended book to anyone wanting to know more about Daphne Du Maurier and her extremely fascinating life that reflects itself in her novels. One of the best biographies I have read in a long while...

wonder biography
This is a truly beautifully written biography. It is insightful and intelligent, and is one of the best biographies I have read.

Daphne du Maurier by Margaret Forster
A very readable biography with much attention to detail. Very well researched. A well-rounded depiction of an unusual and difficult character, it holds one's attention from the start. But would this quite reclusive woman have wanted her entire life made public? Nevertheless, it is beautifully and sympathetically done.