Deric Longden

Deric Longden (* 1936 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, † June 22, 2013 in Marsh, West Yorkshire ) was a British novelist and screenwriter.

Life and career

Longden led a company that manufactured women's underwear, before he began writing in the 70s. He wrote lyrics for several popular radio programs of the BBC. Then his wife Diana myalgic encephalomyelitis ( in Germany known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ) fell ill, he was forced to sell his company, and to make writing his career. His wife succumbed to her illness in 1985, and Longden recorded his experiences in the book Diana 's Story, which was published in 1989 and his breakthrough as a writer. The book was made ​​into a film in 1993 by the BBC under the title Wide - Eyed and Legless Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Thora Hird in the lead roles. His second book, Lost for Words, is autobiographical and deals with aging and death of his mother. The book was also made ​​into a film starring Thora Hird in the role of Longdens mother for television, Pete Postlethwaite played Deric Longden. The film won an Emmy Award as best foreign drama and a BAFTA for Best Actress.

His other books dealing humorously with his own life, including several books about his life with cats, of which so far two have been translated into German.

Longden married 1990, the visually impaired writer Aileen Armitage and lives with her in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Both were in 2002 an honorary doctorate from the University of Huddersfield. From his marriage with Diana, he has two adult children.

Longden died age of 77 on June 22, 2013 of esophageal cancer at his home in Marsh, a suburb of Huddersfield.

Works

• Diana 's Story, 1989
• The Cat Who Came in from the Cold, 1991 ( German: The kitten came out of the rain)
• I'm a Stranger Here Myself, 1994
• Enough to Make a Cat Laugh, 1996 ( German: A kitten Hazzard )
• A Play on Words, 2000
• Paws in the Proceedings, 2007