Intertextuality and Psychology in P. L. Travers’ «Mary Poppins» Books

As we approach the seventieth anniversary of the first appearance of Mary Poppins , interest in P. L. Travers’ most famous creation is still strong and the time is right for a reassessment of a work that is rich in meaning for child and adult readers alike. This book attempts to analyse some of the reasons behind the longevity and the ongoing appeal of the Mary Poppins material, with particular reference to intertextuality and the presence of what Freud described as «the uncanny». By comparing a