Diana [Paperback]

R. F. Delderfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 1977

Beautiful, resourceful, treacherous, vulnerable - she was a woman full of contradictions and he would never stop loving her. As a young girl Diana is irrepressible, untameable and, to the orphaned John, endlessly fascinating. Only daughter of a wealthy businessman, she is drawn both to a rigorous outdoor life in the west country with her horses and the glittering London society that will be her destiny. They spend a magical unconventional childhood together but Diana's ambition, her passion for life that makes her so desirable, pulls her away from all that makes her happy. The fierce friendship that grew inevitably to love, develops as inevitably to conflict and a betrayal that will mark them both - until the trials of war offers them redemption.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for R F Delderfield: 'R.F. Delderfield is a born storyteller' -- Sunday Mirror 'He built an imposing artistic social history that promises to join those of his great forebears in the long, noble line of the English novel. His narratives belong in a tradition that goes back to John Galsworthy and Arnold Bennett' -- Life Magazine 'Seldom has the enchantment of young love been so tenderly drawn as in this story' -- Literary Guild 'Sheer, wonderful storytelling' -- Chicago Tribune 'Highly recommended. Combines tension with a splendid sense of atmosphere and vivid characterisation. An excellent read' -- Sunday Express 'A charming novel ... recaptures with refreshing simplicity the awkwardness, excitement and delights of youth.' -- New York Times 'It is always a pleasure to read R F Delderfield, because he never seems to be ashamed of writing well ... Today he is a bestseller wherever English language books are read' -- Books and Bookmen 'Mr Delderfield's manner is easy, modest, heartwarming' -- Evening Standard --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

R F Delderfield was born in South London in 1912. On leaving school he joined the Exmouth Chronicle newspaper as a junior reporter, where he went on to become Editor. From there he began to write stage plays and then became a highly successful novelist, renowned for brilliantly portraying slices of English life. With the publication of his first saga, A Horseman Riding By, he became one of Britain's most popular authors. He died in 1972. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Pocket (October 3, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671819682
• ISBN-13: 978-0671819682
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,482,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unjust review, May 5, 2001

By 

John Pelkey (Allyn, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diana (Paperback)

It is incredible to think DIANA is unreviewed. I have treasured it's reading for 33 years. Mr. Delderfield spins a story of love and dreams unparalleled in devotion to character. As Jan is enthralled with Diana, so am I to be allowed into the view of his view, of her, of his own drab life, and of his dreams, all seemingly detached, yet thrown together for 18 years.

The lead characters become alive and friends, not from glorious events or special effects, but from the daily grind of their lives offset by their collisions with each other so vividly presented. Nobody needs to be concerned about terms such as co-dependency or rating the chances of their uneven relationship being a success. This is the ultimate better to have loved than not have loved story.

Read the book and let yourself be someone else for a minute. This adventure is what Mr. Delderfield brings with his books. I can't do justice in a review to the value of his writings, only readers can.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars unforgettable, February 15, 2003

By 

Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diana (Paperback)

How good was this book? Well, I read it when I was nine and some twenty years later I still think about it quite often. The tragic/romantic story of country lad Jan and his love for Diana, the rich man's daughter is simply glorious.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book teaches you about hope, courage and honour, March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Diana (Paperback)

Diana was the first RFD book I read. It was the first book that ever brought a tear to my eye. I have many shared characteristics with Jan and have over the years grown more & more like him. I live on the outskirts of London but manage to travel to Devon on business a few times a year, as I near the border my heart begins to quicken and I can never resit pulling over in the car to take in large breaths of heather and gorse. RFD is by far my most favourite author, and I would recomend Diana to anyone who has read and enjoyed any of his books.