Book Review: The Extraordinary Life of A A Milne
Katie 
Alan Alexander Milne is probably best known for the creation of Winnie the Pooh and friends. But AA Milne was also a playwright, screen writer and novelist. Even 60 years after his death, he is a mystery to many. He died resentful because he was only known as a ‘whimsical’ children’s author. His son, Christopher Robin, felt exploited, even though the stories were a combination of things that happened to Christopher, things that happened during AA Milne’s childhood and other things that were made up. But Christopher was always picked on about being the “real” Christopher Robin. He ended up marrying his first cousin which led to them having a handicapped child – their daughter, Clare, had Cerebral Palsy. Alan married Daphne and they slept in separate rooms. Many believe Daphne to be ‘anti sex’. Most of Christopher’s time was spent with a nanny growing up. It is also said that the home they lived in was cursed – it was sold to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, who ended up found dead in the pool.
This book was fascinating to find out about all that was going on behind the scenes. I love Winnie the Pooh and his crew and the stories, but I didn’t realize how it was Daphne that seemed to play more with the toys than Christopher and all that went on with Alan and how he wanted to be known for his other writings as well. Definitely a fascinating read.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
VERY few authors can ever dream of coming close to the legacy left by A A Milne. He remains a household name in almost every corner of the globe thanks to a phenomenally popular collection of whimsical children’s stories about a boy named Christopher Robin and his beloved teddy bear.
Generations of children have grown up loving the tales of Winnie The Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood, which are still among the most popular – and profitable – fictional characters in the world.
But while the adorable poems and stories have brought unparalleled joy to millions, Alan Alexander Milne, himself was never able to enjoy the fame and fortune they brought him. He died deeply resenting Pooh’s success, as far as he was concerned those stories were just such a tiny fraction of his literary work, but nothing else he produced came close in terms of public appreciation.
Milne died still unable to reconcile the fact that no matter what else he wrote, regardless of all the plays and stories for adults he had published, he would always be remembered as a children’s storyteller.
And his son, widely hailed as the inspiration for the adorable character of Christopher Robin, could never accept his unique place in literary history either. He had barely reached his teens before he grew to loathe his famous father, who he bitterly accused of exploiting his early years.
The Extraordinary Life of A A Milne delves deep into the life of Milne and sheds light on new places, and tells stories untold.