This is a well researched and well written story about a complicated, fascinating woman. Starting with her childhood and ending with her passing, and using Du Maurier's own correspondence as well as others' writings and recollections, it nicely brings together both the personal and professional aspects of her life. It really brings out how Du Maurier was a product of her time and place. Struggling her entire life with her sexual identity, she no doubt would have been a different person had she been born in a more recent--and broadminded--time. But then would we have been treated to such rich reads had that been so?

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This biography explores the motivations behind Daphne du Maurier's numerous spellbinding works. In a prolific writing career that began in 1931 with The Loving Spirit and subsequently spanned fifty years, the portrait that emerges is that of a woman constantly at odds with herself. Her various literary achievements coupled with a drive to succeed often conflicted with her role as a wife and a mother.

Access to Daphne's personal correspondence has allowed the author to reveal such private details of her life as Daphne's bisexual extramarital attractions, which included a longtime infatuation with Gertrude Lawrence - an English singer and actress, famous for her appearances on the London stage and on Broadway.

Daphne's rich fantasy life and fertile imagination enabled her to write captivating novels epitomized by 1938's Rebecca - a story which continues to endure even to this day. This richly layered biography aptly unveils the passionate nature of a woman who spent her life portraying the secrets of the sexual tensions between men and women.

I absolutely loved this book. I learned much more about Daphne du Maurier's life than I was expecting. I will say that Margaret Forster's writing style stopped just short of providing too much detail, although I would still give this book an A+!

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