The recent Disney film, “Saving Mr.
Banks”, highlighted the story behind the making of their earlier
film, “Mary Poppins”. It touched upon the life of the stories'
author, P. L. Travers, an odd yet imaginative woman whose
contribution to literature, film and culture carries on to this day.
In this book, writer Valerie Lawson delves deeper. She, too,
describes Helen Lyndon Goff's childhood in Allora, Australia, and her
complex relationship with her father, Travers Goff, an alcoholic. Of
course, she spends time in her book telling us about the making of
the film version of “Mary Poppins”. Yet there is much more to
the story.
Pamela, as P.L. Travers preferred to
be known, was probably not someone who would be fun to have a
conversation with. She was sharp and snobby, and very demanding.
Valerie Lawson shares with us everything from Pamela's spiritual
beliefs to her adoption of her son, Camillus, a twin, whose brother
she left behind. We learn about her time as a writer in residency on
the college scene, and how she herself managed to sabotage her own
attempts to be accepted by the students, with her brusque manner.
Lawson does not ask us to like Travers, but does justice to her life
by giving us a well-rounded picture of who she was and why.
I enjoyed reading it and learning more
about the creator of Mary Poppins. The book was originally published
in 1999. (Travers passed away in 1996). The copy I found was a
paperback reprint through Simon & Schuster. ISBN
978-1-4767-6292-0. Suggested retail price was $16 US or $18.99 in
Canada.
