Annemarie Selinko (1 September 1914 – 28 July 1986) was an Austrian novelist who wrote a number of best-selling books in German from the 1930s through the 1950s. Although she had been based in Germany, in 1939 at the start of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

she took refuge in

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

with her Danish husband, but then in 1943, they again became refugees, this time to Sweden. Many of her novels have been adapted into movies and all have been translated into numerous languages. Her last work ''Désirée'' (1951) was about

Désirée Clary Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary ( sv, Eugenia Bernhardina Desideria; 8 November 1777 – 17 December 1860) was Queen of Sweden and Norway from 5 February 1818 to 8 March 1844 as the wife of King Charles XIV John. Charles John was a former Fr ...

, the one-time

fiancée An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be ''fi ...

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

and later Queen of Sweden and Norway. It is dedicated to her sister Liselotte, who was murdered by the Nazis. Translated into 25 languages, in 1954 it was turned into a major Hollywood film starring Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons.

Bibliography

Novels

* ''Ich war ein häßliches Mädchen'' (''I Was an Ugly Girl''), Vienna: Kirschner Verlag, 1937 * ''Morgen ist alles besser'' (US title: ''Tomorrow Is Another Day'', UK title: ''Everything Will Be Better Tomorrow''), 1939 * ''Heute heiratet mein Mann'' (''My Husband Marries Today''), 1943 * ''Désirée'', 1952

Filmography

*''

Tomorrow It Will Be Better ''Tomorrow It Will Be Better'' ( nl, Morgen gaat het beter) is a 1939 Dutch film directed by Frederic Zelnik. Cast *Lily Bouwmeester as Willy Verhulst, het schoolmeisje *Paul Steenbergen as Alfred Herder, programmaleider van radio-omroep *Theo ...

'', directed by

Frederic Zelnik Frederic Zelnik (born Friedrich Zelnik, 17 May 1885 – 29 November 1950) was an Austrian producer, director, and actor. He was one of the most important producers-directors of the German silent cinema. Zelnik achieved success through period oper ...

(Netherlands, 1939, based on the novel ''Morgen ist alles besser'') *', directed by

Ragnar Arvedson Ragnar Arved Arvedson, (4 December 1895 – 2 October 1973) was a Sweden, Swedish actor, director, writer and producer. Arvedson appeared in about 50 roles in films between 1920 and 1970 and directed about 20 films between 1935 and 1949. Selected ...

(Sweden, 1943, based on the novel ''Heute heiratet mein Mann'') *'' Everything Will Be Better in the Morning'', directed by

Arthur Maria Rabenalt Arthur Maria Rabenalt (25 June 1905 – 26 February 1993) was an Austrian film director, writer, and author. He directed more than 90 films between 1934 and 1978. His 1958 film '' That Won't Keep a Sailor Down'' was entered into the 1st Moscow ...

(West Germany, 1948, based on the novel ''Morgen ist alles besser'') *'' Désirée'', directed by

Henry Koster Henry Koster (born Hermann Kosterlitz, May 1, 1905 – September 21, 1988) was a German-born film director. He was the husband of actress Peggy Moran. Early life Koster was born to Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He was introduced to ci ...

(1954, based on the novel ''Désirée'') *''

I Was an Ugly Girl ''I Was an Ugly Girl'' (German: ''Ich war ein häßliches Mädchen'') is a 1955 West German romantic comedy film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Sonja Ziemann, Dieter Borsche and Karlheinz Böhm. It is based on the 1937 novel of the ...

'', directed by

Wolfgang Liebeneiner Wolfgang Georg Louis Liebeneiner (6 October 1905 – 28 November 1987) was a German actor, film director and theatre director. Beginnings He was born in Liebau in Prussian Silesia. In 1928, he was taught by Otto Falckenberg, the director of th ...

(West Germany, 1955, based on the novel ''Ich war ein häßliches Mädchen'') *'' My Husband's Getting Married Today'', directed by

Kurt Hoffmann Kurt Hoffmann (12 November 1910 – 25 June 2001) was a German film director, the son of Carl Hoffmann. He directed 48 films between 1938 and 1971. He ran a production company Independent Film along with Heinz Angermeyer. His 1958 film ' ...

(West Germany, 1956, based on the novel ''Heute heiratet mein Mann'') *', directed by Géza von Bolváry (West Germany, 1957, based on the novel ''Morgen ist alles besser'') *''Heute heiratet mein Mann'', directed by (Austria, 2006, TV film, based on the novel ''Heute heiratet mein Mann'')

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Selinko, Annemarie 1914 births 1986 deaths Writers from Vienna Austrian emigrants to Denmark Jewish emigrants from Austria after the Anschluss Austrian women novelists Danish Jews Naturalised citizens of Denmark 20th-century women writers 20th-century Austrian novelists Burials at Hellerup Cemetery