Trilby

(Hardback)

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Trilby (1894) is a novel by George du Maurier. Originally serialized in Harpers Monthly the novel went on to become an international bestseller, attracting controversy and interest for its depiction of bohemian life in 19th century Paris. Although Trilby has been criticized by such readers as George Orwell for its anti-Semitic depiction of Svengali, the novel has been adapted countless times for theater and film, including a 1931 motion picture starring John Barrymore and a 1983 television movie starring Jodie Foster and Peter OToole. Three English art students enjoy a bohemian lifestyle in Paris. Drawn into the coterie of musicians Svengali and Gecko, they observe with humor the efforts of Trilby, a young Irishwoman, to become a professional singer. Despite her beauty and captivating stage presence, she proves completely tone-deaf, all-but ensuring a life of drudgery as a laundress and artists model. Following the tragic loss of her younger brother, Trilby turns to Svengali for guidance. Using hypnosis, the musician turns Trilby into a gifted singer, sending her into a trance every time she steps on stage. Some years later, one of the Englishman recognizes Trilby at a concert and begins to grow concerned at her gaunt appearance. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of George du Mauriers Trilby is a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Author Bio

George du Maurier (1834-1896) was a Franco-British cartoonist, novelist, and short story writer. Born in Paris, du Maurier was raised in an aristocratic family whose fortunes had dwindled following his paternal grandfathers implication in a 1789 financial scandal. His mother, Ellen Clarke, was the daughter of courtesan Mary Anne Clarke, the former mistress of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. Educated in Paris at the art studio of Charles Gleyre, du Maurier moved to Antwerp and Dsseldorfwhere he sought help for an ailment in his left eyebefore settling in London in 1851. There, he married Emma Wightwick, with whom he would raise five children, some of whom went on to successful careers in the arts. In 1865, du Maurier found work as a cartoonist for Punch magazine, where he gained a reputation as a leading satirist for cartoons poking fun at Victorian society and the burgeoning middle class. In addition to his black and white drawings for Punch, du Maurier produced illustrations for such periodicals as Harpers, The Graphic, and The Cornhill Magazine. As his eyesight failed, du Maurier turned increasingly to fiction, writing the play Peter Ibbetson (1891) and the popular gothic horror novel Trilby (1894), both of which have been adapted for theater and film.