book myself when young: the shaping of a writer

myself when young: the shaping of a writer book by daphne du maurier

daphne du mauriers "myself when young: the shaping of a writer" offers a compelling and intimate look into the formative years of one of literatures most celebrated storytellers. this evocative memoir delves deep into the authors past, drawing from diaries kept between 1920 and 1932. it paints a vivid portrait of a young woman navigating her childhood, adolescence, and the very beginnings of her literary journey. readers are invited to explore the influences, desires, and struggles that sculpted the writer we have come to admire, making it a cherished piece for fans of du mauriers work and aspiring writers alike. the book provides a unique window into the mind of an artist finding her voice amidst personal growth and societal expectations.

myself when young: the shaping of a writer summary

in "myself when young: the shaping of a writer," daphne du maurier meticulously revisits her youth through the unfiltered lens of her personal diaries. the memoir spans her earliest memories up to the pivotal moment of her marriage at twenty-five. it candidly chronicles her sometimes difficult relationship with her renowned actor father, sir gerald du maurier, and her early educational experiences, including time spent in paris. du maurier doesnt shy away from detailing her early love affairs, her profound sense of displacement and antipathy towards the bustling city life of london, and particularly the theatre world she felt estranged from. central to the narrative is her passionate and unwavering ambition to establish herself as a writer. her intense connection to cornwall, a place that would profoundly influence her later works, is also a recurring theme. this introspective work reveals a complex, captivating, and deeply determined young woman grappling with identity, creativity, and the pursuit of her artistic destiny, offering profound insights into the genesis of her literary talent.

1. full book name : myself when young: the shaping of a writer
2. author name : daphne du maurier
3. genre : nonfiction, memoir, biography, literary biography, autobiography
4. page : approximately 176 to 224 pages, depending on the edition.
5. isbn : varies by edition; for example, 9780385130165 and 9780316254373 are listed.
6. asin : not readily available across all search results.
7. edition language : english
8. date of publication : first published december 1, 1977. later editions exist, such as one on december 17, 2013.

about the author daphne du maurier

dame daphne du maurier was a celebrated english novelist, biographer, and playwright, born on may 13, 1907, in london. she came from a distinguished family with a strong artistic lineage, including her father, actor-manager sir gerald du maurier, and her grandfather, author and cartoonist george du maurier. du maurier is renowned for her atmospheric novels, which often blend romance, mystery, and psychological suspense, with "rebecca" being her most famous work. she spent much of her life in cornwall, a landscape that frequently served as the setting for her evocative stories.

myself when young: the shaping of a writer faq

1. is "myself when young: the shaping of a writer" an autobiography?

   yes, "myself when young: the shaping of a writer" is daphne du mauriers memoir, drawing heavily from her personal diaries kept between 1920 and 1932. it chronicles her early life, from childhood memories up to her marriage, focusing on her development as a writer. while its often referred to as an autobiography, du maurier herself described it as a memoir, aiming to explore her formative years and the influences that shaped her literary path.

2. what period of daphne du mauriers life does this book cover?

   the book covers daphne du mauriers life from her earliest memories as a young child until she reached the age of twenty-five and got married. it specifically focuses on the years between 1920 and 1932, drawing directly from diaries she kept during that time.

3. what themes are explored in "myself when young"?

   the memoir explores several key themes, including daphne du mauriers relationship with her father, her education in paris, her early romantic experiences, her feelings about london life and the theatre, and her deep-seated ambition to become a successful writer. it also highlights her profound connection to cornwall.

4. who is daphne du maurier?

   daphne du maurier was a highly acclaimed english novelist, biographer, and playwright, known for her mastery of suspense and atmospheric storytelling. born in 1907, she hailed from a family prominent in the arts. her most famous works include "rebecca," "jamaica inn," and "the birds," many of which were adapted into successful films, notably by alfred hitchcock.

5. what is the significance of "the shaping of a writer" in the title?

   the subtitle "the shaping of a writer" directly refers to the books core focus: daphne du mauriers journey and ambition to become a professional writer. it details the early influences, challenges, and the determined effort she put into developing her craft and achieving literary success from a young age.