Rose Tremain, 83, Publishes Novel 'The Housekeeper' Reimagining Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca'

At the age of 83, Rose Tremain has released a new novel titled The Housekeeper, which offers a fresh perspective on the inspiration behind Daphne du Maurier's renowned work, Rebecca. Initially conceived as a short story in 2014, it has since been transformed into a screenplay for a film directed by Richard Eyre, featuring Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter. As a member of Granta's 1983 list of 20 Best of Young British Novelists, Tremain reflects on the loss of six peers, including Martin Amis, and highlights the challenges faced by her contemporaries, such as Salman Rushdie's stabbing and Julian Barnes's battle with blood cancer. She emphasizes her lifelong dedication to writing, recalling a poignant moment during a 2019 pancreatic cancer procedure when she feared the end of her storytelling journey. Inspired by David Hockney's philosophy of consistent artistic engagement, Tremain dismisses claims that her later works are lesser, pointing to the acclaim received for The Gustav Sonata (2016), Islands of Mercy (2020), Lily (2021), and Absolutely and Forever (2023). She fondly remembers winning an award for her 1984 BBC radio play Temporary Shelter, which starred Roy Kinnear, and how its themes influenced her 1988 novel Restoration. Tremain resides in Norfolk and has a daughter and grandchildren.