Gerald: A Portrait

Front Cover
Little, Brown Book Group, Jan 7, 2010 - Biography & Autobiography - 272 pages

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REBECCA

'A remarkable book . . . brilliant comic writing' THE TIMES

'An enthralling picture of family life . . . devotion to Gerald, the man' KIRKUS REVIEWS

'Du Maurier has no equal' DAILY TELEGRAPH

Sir Gerald du Maurier was the most celebrated actor-manager of his day, knighted for his services to the theatre in 1922. He was also a father to one of the most enduring writers of the twentieth century.

Published within six months of her father's death, this frank biography was considered shocking by many of his admirers, but it was a huge success, winning Daphne du Maurier critical acclaim and launching her career.

In Gerald: A Portrait, Daphne du Maurier captures the spirit and charm of the charismatic actor who played the original Captain Hook. It amusingly recalls his eccentricities, sense of humour and sensitively portrays the darker side of his nature and bouts of depression.

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About the author (2010)

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) was born in London, England. In 1931 her first novel, The Loving Spirit was published. A biography of her father and three other novels followed, but it was the novel Rebecca that launched her into the literary stratosphere and made her one of the most popular authors of her day. In 1932, du Maurier married Major Frederick Browning with whom she had three children.

Many of du Maurier's bestselling novels and short stories were adapted into award-winning films, including Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now. In 1969, du Maurier was awarded the Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE). She lived most of her life in Cornwall and died there which is the setting for many of her books.