Hearing voices

 

   

There can scarcely be a greater pleasure for a reader - apart from the freeing mental state of being lost in a good book, of course - than hearing the writer discuss how they came to write that book and what they discovered in the process, and so it was last night at the Edinburgh Book Festival when Mr. C. and I went to listen to Justine Picardie talk about Daphne.
   The event was chaired by Jennie Erdal (whose memoir Ghosting: A Double Life I've had on my tbr list for quite a while) and who was clearly in sympathy with Justine and her du Maurier/ Bronte subject matter, bringing out in their conversation many of the themes which had struck me in my reading of the book. Justine described the extraordinary coincidences and startling discoveries which occurred as she followed a trail of manuscripts, letters, books and other documents, all of which form the novel's impressively detailed factual basis, and as she learned more about Daphne du Maurier through her extensive writings and through conversations with her children and others who knew her well, she formed a clear impression of Daphne's 'voice' which she has captured beautifully on the page.
    The question of literary snobbery also arose, in that Daphne is perceived as a 'popular' writer - and a female one at that -, unworthy of critical study, and dismissed as 'romantic', and yet her books are much darker and more complex than is often thought, and what was seen as her happy and privileged life was far from a fairytale, a fact which informs her writing and 'appeals' - in the wider sense - to her enormous readership.
    I was delighted to have the chance to meet Justine afterwards and ask her some questions of my own, though her book is so rich and fascinating that there's a great deal left to discuss. She certainly left her audience wanting more!

Comments

[justine picardie]

It was so nice for me to meet you, and thanks for coming, and braving the rain... I loved being in Edinburgh, albeit briefly. It's such a beautiful city -- I'm never failed to be amazed by its extraordinary combination of architecture and natural landscape.

[Danielle]

I caved in and bought this a while back, and I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm starting with a reread of Rebecca first. Lucky you to hear the author speak--it sounds like a wonderful time with lots to think about!

[Angela Young]

Not at all to the Daphne/Picardie point ... but I just had to comment that I've noticed another beautiful cornflower photograph Cornflower ... this time pinned to a Cornflower-crafted creation?

[Susie Vereker]

How interesting. Thanks for writing all this, Karen. I was going to come to Ed for the bookfair this year but events overcame me. Sounds great fun.