This is a fascinating biography of a complex, difficult, extremely talented man.The death of his adored older brother at a very young age, seems to have driven Barrie to strive for success,in order to compensate his parents, particularly his Mother, for the loss of her favourite son.He became a successful journalist, then a highly regarded playwright in Edwardian London. He tended to fall in love with his leading ladies, and married Mary Ansell, a popular actress, who appeared in many of his productions.
I knew that Barrie had married a beautiful actress, and that they had divorced in painful circumstances, that there were perhaps sexual problems in the marriage.
Lisa Chaney's theories on Barrie's psychological problems regarding physical relationships, was a fascinating insight on this aspect of his life.
Barrie's later relationship with the Llewelyn-Davies family which ultimately led to the writing of his masterpiece
Peter Pan is also beautifully explored.