Billerica Public Library

Mary Poppins, she wrote, the life of P.L. Travers, Valerie Lawson

eng

Includes bibliographical references (p. [380]-381) and index"Published books by P.L. Travers": p. [382]

individual biography

platesillustrations

index present

non fiction

Mary Poppins, she wrote

bibliography

864035356

Valerie Lawson

the life of P.L. Travers

The story of Mary Poppins, the quintessentially English and utterly magical children's nanny, is remarkable enough. She was instantly hailed as a classic, then became a household name when Julie Andrews stepped into the role in Disney's hugely successful film. Now she is a Broadway sensation all over again. But the story of Mary Poppins's creator, as this first biography reveals, is just as unexpected and remarkable. Australian journalist Pamela Lyndon Travers came to London in 1924. She became involved with theosophy and traveled in the literary circles of W. B. Yeats and T. S. Eliot. Most famously, she clashed with Walt Disney over the film adaptation. As tart and opinionated as the big-screen Mary Poppins was cheery, her love of mysticism and magic shaped her life as well as the character of the clipped, strict and ultimately mysterious nanny. She fervently believed that "everyday life is the miracle."--From publisher description

Part I. The nymph, 1899-1934. Prologue : The moment between day and dark ; The real Mr. Banks ; Ellie and Allora ; Old England in Australia ; The creation of Pamela ; Falling into Ireland ; Lovers, gurus and the glimmering girl -- Part II. The mother, 1934-1965. Prologue : Out of the sky ; Poppins and Pamela in Wonderland ; A beautiful night for a death ; The crossing of Camillus ; Through the door to Mabeltown ; Monsieur Bon Bon says au revoir ; Shadowplay ; The Americanization of Mary -- Part III. The crone, 1965-1996. Prologue : An old woman in a rocking chair. A crone among the sleeping beauties ; Looking for Pamela Travers ; Fear no more the heat of the sun