The novel which first brought to George Du Maurier fame as a writer of fiction. Its success led to the writing of the two other novels, 'Trilby' and 'The Martian,' which complete the author's major literary achievement.
It is important to remembers that these works were produced as a venture, by one who was not a professional writer. Du Maurier was an artist, and first became famous as an illustrator of Punch. In 1859, at the age of 25, he suddenly lost the sight of one eye as a result of detached retina. When the sight of the other eye became uncertain, he lived under the fear of becoming unable to earn his living by his regular work. He therefore turned to writing. About 1891, encouraged by Henry James, Du Maurier wrote 'Peter Ibbetson' for Harper and Brothers.
The story was published serialized in Harper's Magazine in 1891 (June to November numbers inclusive), and was later issued in book form.
Three factors contributed to the success of the work.
First, the scenes of the story are those of Du Maurier's own early life, and over the whole narrative, particularly over the early chapters, there hangs; a truly wonderful atmosphere of reminiscence. Certainly, few readers can resist the appeal of Du Maurier's narrative of young Peter's journey from London to Paris—from "a dingy house in the heart of London in a long street of desolating straightness that led to a dreary square and back again," to Passy, the suburb of Paris, where he awoke to find himself "on a beautiful June morning in a charming French garden, where the warm, sweet atmosphere was laden with the scent of lilac and syringa, and gay with butterflies and dragon-flies and humblebees."
Second, the supernatural element attracted many readers. The action of the story centers about the ability of Peter Ibbetson and Mary, Duchess of Towers, to live in the world of dreams a life entirely apart from their actual life.
Lastly, Du Maurier illustrated his own story with the skill which only a gifted artist can summon, especially the artistic features of the novel that handle the supernatural element.
The delicate feeling evidenced in the autobiographical portion constitutes the chief charm of the story, and will keep the work alive for a long time. 'Peter Ibbetson,' like 'Trilby,' has been successfully dramatized.
This edition contains 90 illustrations by George du Maurier.
