J.M.Barrie and the Lost Boys Andrew Birkin

J.M. Barrie, novelist, playwright, and author of "Peter Pan or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up", led a life almost as magical and interesting as his famous creation. Childless in his marriage, Barrie grew close to the five young boys of the Llewelyn Davies family, ultimately becoming their guardian and devoted surrogate father when they were orphaned. Andrew Birkin draws extensively on a vast range of material by and about Barrie, including notebooks, memoirs, and hours of recorded interviews with the Llewelyn Davies family and their circle, to describe Barrie's life and the wonderful world he created for the boys. Originally published in 1979, this illustrated account is reissued with a new preface to mark the release of "Neverland", the film of Barrie's life, and the centenary of "Peter Pan".

Andrew Birkin has written many screenplays, including The Name of the Rose with Alain Godard and The Story of Joan of Arc with Luc Besson. He is currently writing the script for Patrick Suskind's Perfume.

"A psychological thriller... one of the year's most complex and absorbing biographies." Gerald Clarke, Time "A terrible and fascinating story." Eve Auchincloss, Washington Post "Positively the most captivating book I have read in years." Margaret Forster, Evening Standard "My most unforgettable read of the year." Ronald Blythe, Guardian