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Where madness lies : the double life of Vivien Leigh Cover Image Book

Where madness lies : the double life of Vivien Leigh / Lyndsy Spence.

Double life of Vivien Leigh (portion title)
Spence, Lyndsy, 1988- (author.).

Summary:

"Vivien Leigh was one of the greatest film and theatrical stars of the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. Her Oscar-winning performances in Gone With the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire have cemented her status as an icon of Hollywood. From 1940 to 1960, Leigh was married to Sir Laurence Olivier, and together they were considered the royal couple of British theatre. Indeed, their romance and acting partnerships captured the imagination of the public around the world. Behind the scenes, however, Leigh’s personal life was marred by manic depression that remained undiagnosed until 1953. Largely misunderstood and subjected to barbaric mistreatment at the hands of her doctors, she would also suffer the heartbreak of Olivier’s infidelity. Contributing to her image as a tragic heroine, she would die at the age of fifty-three. Unlike previous biographies, Where Madness Lies begins in 1953 when Leigh suffered a nervous breakdown and was institutionalized. Featuring a wealth of unpublished material—including private correspondence—Lyndsy Spence reveals how this Hollywood luminary tragically fell victim to the draconian medical practices of her era."-- Dust jacket flap.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781639368051
  • ISBN: 1639368051
  • Physical Description: 256 pages, 18 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, photographs ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First Pegagus Books cloth edition.
  • Publisher: New York, New York : Pegasus Books, 2025.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 227-247), filmography, and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Author's notes -- Acknowledgements -- Where Madness Lies -- Afterword -- Filmography -- Further Reading -- Notes -- Index.

Search for related items by subject

Subject: Leigh, Vivien, 1913-1967.
Leigh, Vivien, 1913-1967 > Mental health.
Leigh, Vivien, 1913-1967 > Marriage.
Actresses > Great Britain > Biography.
Actors > Great Britain > Biography.
Motion picture actors and actresses > Great Britain > Biography.
Genre: Biographies.

Available copies

  • 9 of 15 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
  • 1 of 2 copies available at Rockingham County Public Library.

Holds

  • 8 current holds with 15 total copies.
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Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Reidsville Library B Leigh (Text) 31554012286331 Adult New Nonfiction Available -
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24510. ‡aWhere madness lies : ‡bthe double life of Vivien Leigh / ‡cLyndsy Spence.
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250 . ‡aFirst Pegagus Books cloth edition.
264 1. ‡aNew York, New York : ‡bPegasus Books, ‡c2025.
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300 . ‡a256 pages, 18 unnumbered pages of plates : ‡billustrations, photographs ; ‡c24 cm
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504 . ‡aIncludes bibliographical references (pages 227-247), filmography, and index.
505 . ‡aAuthor's notes -- Acknowledgements -- Where Madness Lies -- Afterword -- Filmography -- Further Reading -- Notes -- Index.
520 . ‡a"Vivien Leigh was one of the greatest film and theatrical stars of the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. Her Oscar-winning performances in Gone With the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire have cemented her status as an icon of Hollywood. From 1940 to 1960, Leigh was married to Sir Laurence Olivier, and together they were considered the royal couple of British theatre. Indeed, their romance and acting partnerships captured the imagination of the public around the world. Behind the scenes, however, Leigh’s personal life was marred by manic depression that remained undiagnosed until 1953. Largely misunderstood and subjected to barbaric mistreatment at the hands of her doctors, she would also suffer the heartbreak of Olivier’s infidelity. Contributing to her image as a tragic heroine, she would die at the age of fifty-three. Unlike previous biographies, Where Madness Lies begins in 1953 when Leigh suffered a nervous breakdown and was institutionalized. Featuring a wealth of unpublished material—including private correspondence—Lyndsy Spence reveals how this Hollywood luminary tragically fell victim to the draconian medical practices of her era."-- ‡cDust jacket flap.
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6001 . ‡aLeigh, Vivien, ‡d1913-1967 ‡xMental health.
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