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Really a biography?
Manderley Forever is certainly an engaging read. I first read "Rebecca" as a high school student and loved the story. I knew nothing of Daphne du Maurier's life however. While I was drawn in and very much enjoyed reading this book, I did not have the sense of reading a biography (which this book claims to be). As an educator, I would question a student writer using information in this way for a "biography". I felt it was from one point of view rather than objective. So I left this book with the sense of being entertained but not truly informed. I felt there was amazingly strong loyalty on the part of the author.
…more While facts could be verified, so many feelings and inferences went beyond what I believed could be verified by letters or journals. That said, it is an enjoyable read! (less)Biographies can be a dry retelling of names, dates and events. Not so with Tatiana De Rosnay's insightful biography of Daphne Du Maurier. Revelations of her complicated relationships with women, the places and emotions that drove her writing are expertly woven through the pages of this biography. I was captivated by the writing style and the details of Du Maurier's life. I will re-read some of her works with renewed insight into her life and times.
Cheri S. (Newburgh, IN)
The Creative Soul
Creative souls are within select individuals from birth, I believe, and whether or not they develop into people who act upon that creativity depends on myriad variables; but, I also believe that the whole nature vs. nurture concept is perhaps the most powerful of those variables! In the case of author Daphne du Maurier, the focus of Tatiana de Rosnay's research complied within Manderley Forever, both of my beliefs are given great support! The paternal heritage of du Maurier is a textbook version of artist begetting artist. And the relationships within the family serve as further opportunities for nurturing du
…more Maurier's already highly developed artistic temperament.
Using a very inspired means of giving us the biography of du Maurier's life as if it is a novel being told in the 3rd person, de Rosnay takes us from womb to the tomb in a fairly captivating manner throughout. There are a few places where I feel she does get bogged down with repetitive introspective moments such as moments spent at the du Maurier summer home; otherwise, the work moves at a nice pace. I also enjoyed how she began each section with her present-day notes on the upcoming material which avoided maligning the flow of the work.
While I definitely would not recommend this book for young readers, I do think that most women's book clubs would love to discuss this book! I know I would enjoy discussing it with others who are fans of du Maurier and those who are just now learning about this creative artist's world. (less)Daphne Du Maurier is one of my favorite authors so the idea of reading her biography was exciting to me. However, Tatiana De Rosnay's book, while well written & thus enjoyable, reads more like a novel than a true biography. Apparently, Du Maurier wrote detailed journals throughout her life & it seems that the facts Tatiana De Rosnay extrapolated from Du Mauruer's own words became Manderley Forever. This unusual biography showcases events in Du Maurier's life and family. It highlights her unique abilities & interests which resulted in the creation of Daphne Du Maurier's unique written works. This is a worthwhile read.
Julia E. (Atlanta, GA)
Readable Uncritical Tribute
In the preface of this biography of Daphne du Maurier, author Tatiana de Rosnay states that Du Maurier's most famous work, Rebecca, had profoundly effected de Rosnay's development as young writer; indeed, she signed her early work Tatiana du Maurier as homage. Her identification with her subject is further deepened by de Rosnay's sharing a similar Anglo-French upper-class background and tastes. Drawing heavily upon du Maurier's autobiographical writings, de Rosnay tells du Maurier's story from an intimate perspective, as if through her subjects very eyes. De Rosnay's storytelling is uncannily like du Maurier's:
…more she smoothly keeps one turning the pages. The result is readable, uncritical biography about a self-centered woman who wrote a highly readable mid-century classic. (less)I struggled to finish this book, and I was surprised to feel this way, as I have enjoy Ms. de Rosnay's other works very much. I was not nearly intrigued enough about the subject even as I tried to engage with the book. This may appeal to big fans of Rebecca, but does not hold up to a general audience.
N M M Ft. Worth, TX
Biography or fiction?
I have enjoyed reading some of Daphne du Maurier's books but knew little about her personally. There obviously was a lot of research done to establish facts about her life for this book. There was more than I wanted to know about her early years. Her adult years, with information about her marriage,her children, and her writing, made much more interesting reading. Her relationships and fascination with houses and places gave insight into what drove her storytelling.
There were many conversations and thoughts that were fiction, of course. In general, they seemed to fit the facts of her life. I enjoyed reading it
…more but was left feeling that this was as much fiction as biography. (less)What happens when an author writes a bio of her favorite author? The woman who in essence ignited the writing spark within her? You run the risk of a whole lot of mundane facts and getting caught up in the way, shall we say, the subject walked and even breathed.
That being said, once poor Rebecca started publishing and married, this bio came alive. I simply wish we had gotten there a lot sooner.
