The book is enhanced by hundreds of photographs including Wright's self-portraits in elaborate costumes and posed as a nude sea nymph, as well as those of her friends, family and suitors. Ashley grew up in her godmother's star-swirled orbit where Tallulah Bankhead's parakeet sipped champagne and Greta Garbo sought refuge from an intrusive public.ĭare Wright And The Lonely Doll uncovers the violent history behind Dare Wright's childhood separation from her father and brother while tracing the origins of Wright's concern that she might not be a fully real woman.

In an era when children's authors were not particularly photogenic, Dare Wright stood out as a stunning, articulate and mysterious beauty.Īuthor Brook Ashley was the young child whom Dare Wright brought into her magical world of dolls, bears and fairy tales to co-create scenes for Dare's early books The Lonely Doll and Holiday For Edith And The Bears.

Her protagonists were a felt doll named Edith and her two ursine companions, Mr. Written by Brook Ashley, Dare Wright's godchild and heir to her estate, the biography reveals the source of Dare Wright's family trauma, her fascination with mythical storylines, and the personal tragedies and creative successes that punctuated her extraordinary life.ĭare Wright captivated the children's literary world of the 1950s and 60s with a new genre of storytelling through simple text and haunting black and white photography.

As Dare Wright's godchild, author Brook Ashley grew up in a magical world of dolls, bears and fairy tales helping create the scenes for Wright's children's books.Ī poignant and revealing biography of Dare Wright, the beautiful and enigmatic photographer and author of The Lonely Doll children's book series, illustrated with over five hundred photographs. About the Book A poignant biography of Dare Wright, the beautiful and enigmatic photographer and author of The Lonely Doll children's book series, illustrated with over five hundred photographs.

Book the lonely doll