Helpful Score: 5
I'm not an obsessive fan of mysteries or romances but this book has just enough of both to keep it interesting. It's the story of a young woman who marries a widower and discovers, too late, that overcoming his memories of his deceased wife will be a real journey.
Helpful Score: 5
Perhaps I was raised cynical or turned that way by TV, but I guessed the "secret" by page 120, well before it was even alluded to, and finally, by the end on page 380, I summed up the book in the following way: It basically follows the same exact path as Jane Eyre. Spunky, yet reserved underling female finds an older, immensely wealthy mansion-owner, who is immeasurably attractive in his ability to brood and unwittingly distress his female companion. They are somewhat happy for a little while, but something comes between them. It certainly isn't what the heroine believes is affecting their relationship, and it has to do with his former wife. I found it a good read, but thought the unnamed narrator's "reactions" were a bit trite, especially when the "shocking" secret is revealed. My mind kept drawing "Jane Eyre" parallels and found this to have only a smattering of Bronte's lyricism and insight; I also enjoyed Jane Eyre more because Bronte had the grace to make her anti-hero physically unattractive and punished him severely and Oedipally, whereas the question of meting out justice here was a stretch ("Justice," in terms of court proceedings, was never done, and Max's ensuing heartache may count as punishment, but barely). However, this is probably one of the better romances following in Bronte's Gothic vein. 3.8/5 stars because it's a decent yarn and a page-turner, but several stars off because it lacks credibility and lyricism of prose.
Helpful Score: 3
This book will suck you right in! I still cannot believe it's not a contemporary book--it's filled with mystery and intrigue and feels very current, though a classic.
Helpful Score: 3
Daphne du Maurier's writing is as haunting as the character Rebecca herself. I found myself sitting up half the night to finish it.
Helpful Score: 2
One of the best books ever written!!!!!
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of those books that the story line stays with you forever, maybe not every word, but it makes an impression that lasts.
It takes place on the Cornish coast telling the story of a young bride who doesn't know her groom very well and then the mysteries begin to appear.
It takes place on the Cornish coast telling the story of a young bride who doesn't know her groom very well and then the mysteries begin to appear.
Helpful Score: 2
Chilling, haunting book.
Helpful Score: 2
One of my favorite classics and a great read. Gets better with each time.
Helpful Score: 2
One of my favorite authors! She tells a story very well, and it moves quickly. Pop quiz... what is the main character's first name? Read it and find out.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a very gripping novel with an ending that leaves you wanting more.
Helpful Score: 1
A good story, full of suspense.
Helpful Score: 1
The first sentence on the first page was enough to pull me in and has stayed with me since I was 17. Daphne DuMaurier is one of those authors that puts her words together in such a way that the reader becomes part of the story. Beautifully written, great story, one of the books I have read and reread over the years.
Helpful Score: 1
This was such a great story! It sucked me in right from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down. It was so well written and well worth reading more than once! It's one of my all time favorite books.
Helpful Score: 1
A classic novel of love.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my all time favorites... loved it when I was 13 and love it still at 52!
Helpful Score: 1
After reading so many of the predictable murder mysteries of today, this was a breath of fresh air.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book, but then I am one of those people who always want to know what happens to everyone after the story has ended. It starts out slow, but is a wonderful read.
Helpful Score: 1
Great, very creepy.
Helpful Score: 1
If you have or have not seen the movie, you have to read this book. Beautifully written, its a page turner
Helpful Score: 1
Its a classic!!
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a great read, despite what I had previously heard about it. I really enjoyed it and her books are really good.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book! It kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the bestselling novels of all time, this is a classic romantic suspense story.
Helpful Score: 1
A haunting classic, beautifully written. NOTE: This is not a large print edition.
Helpful Score: 1
LOVED THIS BOOK when I first read it at age 17 (many years ago!)....named my first daughter "Rebecca" after my favorite book! Love the way Daphne du Maurier told this wonderful story.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. There were so many beautiful details. So many twists and turns that I didn't expect.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought that this book started off very slow. It was a bit redundant at first. But as I got to the halfway point, the book took a great turn. I couldn't put the book down. Absolutely exceptional! The book is very detailed, almost too detailed.
Do not expect romance, because romantic moments are few and far between.
Do not expect romance, because romantic moments are few and far between.
Helpful Score: 1
Rebecca is a psychological thriller without sloppy love scenes and no bloody crimes, but the drama is superb. Also a must is the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name, starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, and Judith Anderson as the housekeeper.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a book you will never forget. A wonderful and haunting story, told in beautiful prose. This book is in my permanent hardcover collection.
Helpful Score: 1
This is my favorite book of all time! It will be one of your favorites, too, if you read it correctly. Let the author carry you...don't try to think ahead and figure stuff out. The beauty of this book lies in the journey that you and the unnamed young woman are taking together. If you try to think ahead, you will lose some of the details that make this lushly written and beautiful story work. This book totally sucked me in and I felt something for every one of the characters, whether I liked them or not. When you are done with this book, go on to read Stephen King's "Bag of Bones". It's very different, of course, but he references this book often in his story. I have to agree that some of the story is a bit predictable but some of the most important pieces at the end surprised and touched me.
One of my all time favorites.
Helpful Score: 1
Fascinating read!
For the time it was concidered quite dark. A very beautiful story well worth the effort to read!
For the time it was concidered quite dark. A very beautiful story well worth the effort to read!
Helpful Score: 1
The classic mystery novel.
Helpful Score: 1
A largely unknown classic but none other I have read compares. DuMaurier was an amazing storyteller.
Helpful Score: 1
The tale of Rebecca is a thrilling read from start to finish. She was a beautiful, talented woman who cared only for herself and used others. However, she hid the selfish attributes behind an exterior that seemed to make everyone love her except her husband who knew what she really was. Rebecca died in a boating accident and her husband, Max, was grief stricken. He traveled to try to recover and he meets a very young woman who makes him laugh and enjoy life once again. She is a companion to an elderly woman. When the woman returns home, Max marries the young woman and takes her to Manderley, the beautiful home treasured by his family and decorated lavishly by Rebecca.
Everywhere the young wife looks she sees Rebecca's influence. Even the housekeeper who cared for Rebecca as a child resents her presence. Sinister, devious, she plans to evict her from Manderley. To the young wife, it seems as if Max can only think about Rebecca. He shows little affection and expects much. While her youth and inexperience were part of what caught Max's attention, it leads her into frightening experiences and social errors that make her doubt her decision to marry Max even though she loves him dearly.
As the story unfolds, one discovers there is much more to Rebecca's life than one can imagine. Manderley is only a one place where she spends her time. The ending is unexpected and exciting making this one of the best reads of the year for me.
Everywhere the young wife looks she sees Rebecca's influence. Even the housekeeper who cared for Rebecca as a child resents her presence. Sinister, devious, she plans to evict her from Manderley. To the young wife, it seems as if Max can only think about Rebecca. He shows little affection and expects much. While her youth and inexperience were part of what caught Max's attention, it leads her into frightening experiences and social errors that make her doubt her decision to marry Max even though she loves him dearly.
As the story unfolds, one discovers there is much more to Rebecca's life than one can imagine. Manderley is only a one place where she spends her time. The ending is unexpected and exciting making this one of the best reads of the year for me.
This story will stay with you forever. It has the lush storytelling that the author is famous for and characters that make you feel deeply for them. This story is one of the few that truly makes you feel as if you are there, living in the story. It is a definite must for any fan of good literature. Although reading this book is a treat, it is one of those that is just as wonderful to hear read aloud. It allows you to just get lost in the story. I highly recommend it!
One of the great classics of suspense and romance.
Great book... Amazing author! Another book I read almost every year.
This is a very good book. I enjoyed reading this and it always kept me in suspence. There is a surprise on every page....
This is a must read.
This is a must read.
So much more than expected!
I held off reading this book for a long time - even though it came highly recommended from varied sources -because the book itself is marketed as a romance. And I'm not fond of romances. While there is a story of love in the book, the unraveling of figuring out Rebecca is so much more than that.
This is a book that wants to defy classification. Mystery & suspense is where my gut says to place it, but it's unlike any other I've read. After a tad bit of a slow start, I simply HAD to keep reading and became completely engrossed.
This book was rightfully recommended to me, and I'm sorry I put off reading it as long as I did. You don't want to miss this fascinating book.
I held off reading this book for a long time - even though it came highly recommended from varied sources -because the book itself is marketed as a romance. And I'm not fond of romances. While there is a story of love in the book, the unraveling of figuring out Rebecca is so much more than that.
This is a book that wants to defy classification. Mystery & suspense is where my gut says to place it, but it's unlike any other I've read. After a tad bit of a slow start, I simply HAD to keep reading and became completely engrossed.
This book was rightfully recommended to me, and I'm sorry I put off reading it as long as I did. You don't want to miss this fascinating book.
I had to read this book back in the late 1980's/early 90's as required for Honors English in Highschool.. but even though I was required to read the book... I LOVED IT! I recommend it to people who enjoy books such as The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, etc.
The new Mrs. De Winter is made to feel worthless and can not meet up to the expectations of those around her who idolized Rebecca, the first wife, now deceased... She is young, insecure... but as the truth behind the first marriage unwinds you truly love and hate certain characters in the book!
I have re-read this book on occasion throughout the years, and the sequel. And I enjoy it more every time I read it... wondering does Max still love his dead wife... and the truth is sooo shocking!!
This book is so well written... and you can't help but to really feel for the characters.. each and every one..
The new Mrs. De Winter is made to feel worthless and can not meet up to the expectations of those around her who idolized Rebecca, the first wife, now deceased... She is young, insecure... but as the truth behind the first marriage unwinds you truly love and hate certain characters in the book!
I have re-read this book on occasion throughout the years, and the sequel. And I enjoy it more every time I read it... wondering does Max still love his dead wife... and the truth is sooo shocking!!
This book is so well written... and you can't help but to really feel for the characters.. each and every one..
Rebecca is a novel of mystery and passion, a dark psychological tale of secrets and betrayal, dead loves and an estate called Manderley that is as much a presence as the humans who inhabit it: "when the leaves rustle, they sound very much like the stealthy movement of a woman in evening dress, and when they shiver suddenly and fall, and scatter away along the ground, they might be the pitter, patter of a woman's hurrying footsteps, and the mark in the gravel the imprint of a high-heeled satin shoe." Manderley is filled with memories of the elegant and flamboyant Rebecca, the first Mrs. DeWinter; with the obsessive love of her housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who observes the young, timid second Mrs. DeWinter with sullen hostility; and with the oppressive silences of a secretive husband, Maxim. Rebecca may be physically dead, but she is a force to contend with, and the housekeeper's evil matches that of her former mistress as a purveyor of the emotional horror thrust on the innocent Mrs. DeWinter. The tension builds as the new Mrs. DeWinter slowly grows and asserts herself, surviving the wicked deceptions of Mrs. Danvers and the silent deceits of her husband, to emerge triumphant in the midst of a surprise ending that leaves the reader with a sense of haunting justice.
Fantastic book... reading Mrs. De Winter The Sequel to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca now. Then on to Rebecca's Tale.
http://www.dumaurier.org/reviews-rebecca.html
Fantastic book... reading Mrs. De Winter The Sequel to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca now. Then on to Rebecca's Tale.
http://www.dumaurier.org/reviews-rebecca.html
This is a WONDERFUL book, and so much better than the movie! (the Hitchcock version is the best, if you see it, by the way). Really wonderful.
The novel begins, as does a Sherlock Holmes story, with a hint of the denouement. It bodes of tragedy. As I read, I find that her writing rivals that of the Brontes. Rebecca de Winter is an unusual protagonist. She has a secret. Unfortunately, she cannot disclose it, as our heroine has been dead for at least a year. Little by little, we learn about her from the narrator, the next Mrs. de Winter, as she interacts with a host of supporting characters. Rebecca is a maven, and it seems to me as if she is a forebear of Martha Stewart. The deeper that I get into this novel, I return to the title page to verify that I am not reading Jane Eyre. No, wait! It cannot be! They are zipping around in motorcars. At the onset, we are told the fate of Manderley, the de Winter estate. It is similar to that of ?????? Will Du Mauriers characters share a common fate with those of Charlotte Brontes? I am intrigued by the enigmas. Rebecca is loved by everyone, but what is her secret? What is the next Mrs. de Winters given name? Her husband never mentions it; to all else she is Mrs. de Winter. I wait while the narrator peels away the layers that reveal the true Rebecca. Finally, the end sends us back to the beginning. Holmes again. But, certainly not quite Finnegans Wake.
I always put off reading this story because I thought it was a romance. Granted I based this solely off the book cover, so imagine my delight as I got older and heard that it was instead, decidedly Gothic and creepy.
The entire story is told through a flashback of events that occurred when the unnamed narrator is a hired companion for Mrs. Van Hopper, a gossipy brute of a woman. While traveling through Monte Carlo, they meet Maxim de Winter, whose story is one that Mrs. Van Hopper willingly offers up. Maxim's recent loss of his first wife Rebecca is a sad fate, and as the young narrator spends more time with him, they decide within only a few weeks that they will get married and move to his estate, entitled Manderley.
But upon arriving to Maxim's estate, it becomes quite a different experience than she anticipated. The mansion is huge, with a full staff to keep up the house and grounds, and the ever-present ghost of the beautiful, social, and popular Rebecca is behind everything that is desirable about Manderley, and even the parties she's hosted are still talked about. But not only is she a part of Manderley's past, she is very much a part of a creepy and sinister presence about the house. Rebecca is everywhere that the new bride finds herself in - from the beautiful landscape of the grounds, the cove where Rebecca lost her life, the little cottage down by the sea that she used to rest in after she would go sailing. Rebecca is everywhere, and the new Mrs. De Winter, meek, quiet, and shy, cannot keep up. Even the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers is cold and intimidating, harboring secrets that make the new bride fearful. She knows she is being compared by the housekeeper, the visitors to the house on their social calls, and she can't quite help feeling like even Maxim is doing the same, ultimately wondering if he is contemplating if he made the right choice to marry her.
I loved this story. I've read Du Maurier's short stories last year and enjoyed them, but this struck me much more than anything else and was much, much creepier. It is beautiful and dark and perfect for autumn. I absolutely recommend this story
The entire story is told through a flashback of events that occurred when the unnamed narrator is a hired companion for Mrs. Van Hopper, a gossipy brute of a woman. While traveling through Monte Carlo, they meet Maxim de Winter, whose story is one that Mrs. Van Hopper willingly offers up. Maxim's recent loss of his first wife Rebecca is a sad fate, and as the young narrator spends more time with him, they decide within only a few weeks that they will get married and move to his estate, entitled Manderley.
But upon arriving to Maxim's estate, it becomes quite a different experience than she anticipated. The mansion is huge, with a full staff to keep up the house and grounds, and the ever-present ghost of the beautiful, social, and popular Rebecca is behind everything that is desirable about Manderley, and even the parties she's hosted are still talked about. But not only is she a part of Manderley's past, she is very much a part of a creepy and sinister presence about the house. Rebecca is everywhere that the new bride finds herself in - from the beautiful landscape of the grounds, the cove where Rebecca lost her life, the little cottage down by the sea that she used to rest in after she would go sailing. Rebecca is everywhere, and the new Mrs. De Winter, meek, quiet, and shy, cannot keep up. Even the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers is cold and intimidating, harboring secrets that make the new bride fearful. She knows she is being compared by the housekeeper, the visitors to the house on their social calls, and she can't quite help feeling like even Maxim is doing the same, ultimately wondering if he is contemplating if he made the right choice to marry her.
I loved this story. I've read Du Maurier's short stories last year and enjoyed them, but this struck me much more than anything else and was much, much creepier. It is beautiful and dark and perfect for autumn. I absolutely recommend this story
So the second Mrs. Maxin de Winter remembered the chilling events that led her down the turning drive past the beeches, white and naked, to the isolated gray stone manse on the windsweot Cornish coast. With a husband she barely knew, the young bride arrived at this Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca, dead but never forgotten...her suite of rooms never touched, her clothes ready to be worn, her servant-the sinister Mrs. Danvers-still loyal. And as an eerie presentiment of evil tightened around her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter began her search for the real fate of Rebecca...for the secrets of Manderley.
Loved it. I'm surprised this story was written in '38, and I hadn't heard of it till now. The mystery, while a bit predictable, was played out with such great eeriness and foreboding that I didn't care that I'd figured it out. I did find that reading Chapter 1 again after turning the last page was even more interesting, and I recommend everyone else do the same...just for the fun of it.
This book is a jewel. The writing style captivated me from the beginning and my mind didn't wander at all while reading this one (kind of a big deal for me). It was a joy to read, but I can only give it 3.5 stars because I really did not like the ending.
I wasn't sure what to expect and the story kept surprising me as it was unveiled. And what an ending! I never saw that coming! It had more mystery than romance.
This is another eternal classic by DuMaurier. I first read it
when I was twelve and make it a must read every few years.
I never tire of this one or the follow-up "Mrs. DeWinter".
when I was twelve and make it a must read every few years.
I never tire of this one or the follow-up "Mrs. DeWinter".
For the second Mrs. de Winter, the new mistress of Manderley,her husband's great country house was a labyrinth of terror. Wherever she went, whatever she did, the innocent young bride was stalked by the ominous presence of Manderley's first mistress--Rebecca.
A classic--great read!
A classic--great read!
Very enjoyable romantic intrigue, beautifully written, couldn't put it down.
My all time favorite classic. I have read this book over and over and love it every time!
If you loved the movie, you will love reading about
Rebecca. It entails a loveless marriage that ended in
tragedy and ends the same way. This is a real good book.
Rebecca. It entails a loveless marriage that ended in
tragedy and ends the same way. This is a real good book.
It's funny that everyone else seems to love this book, I found it boring and painful to get through. I liked the intrigue of the mystery surrounding the first wife, but it was lost amongst her overly active imagination and daydreaming. And I hated the ending. Or should I say, non-ending. Now I remember why I stopped reading this when it was required reading in school.
This book is as good as I remembered it from many years ago.
One of my very favorite spooky stories.
Not too impressive, for me.
"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again..." With these words, the reader is ushered into an isolated grey stone mansion on the windswept Cornish coast, as the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter recalls the chilling events that transpired when she began her new life as the young bride of a husband she barely knew. For in every corner of every room in the immense, foreboding house were phantoms of a time dead but not forgotten-a past devotedly preserved by the sinister housekeeper, Mr. Danvers: a suite immaculate and untouched, clothing laid out and ready to be worn, but not by any of the great house's current occupants. With an eerie presentiment of evil tightening her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter walks in the shadow of her mysterious predecessor, determined to uncover the darkest secrets and shattering truths about Maxim's first wife - the late and hauntinly beautiful Rebecca.
excellent! an all time favorite.
Well written, richly detailed mystery. With romance thrown in.
Highly entertaining read!
Highly entertaining read!
The quintessential romantic suspense novel. This is a classic! A must-read!
Romantic suspense
gothic romance. considered the unsurpassed modern masterpiece of romantic suspense and one of the best-selling novels of all time.
A bit slow moving for my taste.
This was one of the most bizarre books I've ever read in my life.
Let me begin by saying that du Maruier is not a bad writer. Her prose is often beautiful, but it's bogged down by overly detailed descriptions. Her skill in writing is also, in my opinion, wasted in trying to chronicle the attitudes and antics of such strange and unlikable characters.
The book begins with our unnamed narrator (I took the liberty of calling her 'Hortense' in my head) living in Monte Carlo with the woman she works for. There, she meets Mr. de Winter, a handsome widower, who for some reason takes a fancy to her. Hortense and Mr. de Winter go on a few drives and have dinner together, and all of a sudden she's in love with him. For a supposedly romantic book, I wasn't feeling the romance at all. Hortense notes several times that de Winter never mentions loving her or being happy with her, despite asking her to marry him. Strange sense of romance, if you ask me.
Once married, the two return to de Winter's estate, Manderley. Hortense quickly learns that the house still functions as if the first Mrs. de Winter was still alive - they have tea when she had it, arrange things as she arranged them, etc. Hortense makes no attempt to change anything, saying she's too shy to stand up to anyone. Her actions give shy people a bad name. I'm shy myself, but I'm not a spineless automaton who lives entirely inside my own head.
That brings me to my next point. So much of this book revolves around Hortense thinking about the past, future, or how the present could be different. The amount of pages we had dedicated to imagined conversations, what-ifs, and wishful desires was ridiculous. I could barely focus on the plot because every two paragraphs Hortense was breaking off to think about something else entirely. Many of the things were in her control to change, but Hortense doesn't take action. She acts as if she has no willpower. It was difficult to read about and impossible to empathize with such a strange, weak-willed character. She's supposedly 21 but acts more like a child of 10 or 11 - and a meek one at that.
Everyone in this book has an obsession with Rebecca. Hortense hates her and is jealous to the point of obsession. De Winter is obsessed with her essentially coming back and haunting him. Mrs. Danvers is just plain obsessed with her (I assume because she practically raised her). It's disturbing to read about a group of adults who are so fixated on one person. Very odd incident of hivemind that I don't even think the author knew she was creating.
The most bizarre part of the book was when Hortense learns that de Winter killed Rebecca (this plot point, by the way, was so obvious, I can't imagine anyone being surprised by it), all she can think is how great it is that he never actually loved Rebecca. What? You learn the man you're married to is a cold-blooded murderer and you're HAPPY about it? What kind of sane woman would have this reaction?
Speaking of marriage, now would probably be a good time to talk about the fact that their relationship is laughable. Once he's confessed to being a murderer, de Winter gushes about how much he loves Hortense, after treating her like an annoying guest at Manderley ever since they've been married. He's hardly paid any attention to her, much less tried to make her happy or at least comfortable. And last time I checked, you don't keep huge, disturbing, life-altering secrets from someone you truly love.
Since I mentioned it at the beginning of this review, I suppose I should elaborate on the overly detailed writing. We don't need three paragraphs about plants that Hortense saw in a dream, or half a page about what's being served for lunch. Conversations that Hortense was IMAGINING sometimes spanned entire pages. Why - just why was this written? Why?
To summarize: there was nothing romantic about this book. The 'suspenseful' plot twist could be seen coming from a mile away. The characters were detestable. This reads like a botched version of Jane Eyre with absolutely none of that novel's redeeming qualities.
Let me begin by saying that du Maruier is not a bad writer. Her prose is often beautiful, but it's bogged down by overly detailed descriptions. Her skill in writing is also, in my opinion, wasted in trying to chronicle the attitudes and antics of such strange and unlikable characters.
The book begins with our unnamed narrator (I took the liberty of calling her 'Hortense' in my head) living in Monte Carlo with the woman she works for. There, she meets Mr. de Winter, a handsome widower, who for some reason takes a fancy to her. Hortense and Mr. de Winter go on a few drives and have dinner together, and all of a sudden she's in love with him. For a supposedly romantic book, I wasn't feeling the romance at all. Hortense notes several times that de Winter never mentions loving her or being happy with her, despite asking her to marry him. Strange sense of romance, if you ask me.
Once married, the two return to de Winter's estate, Manderley. Hortense quickly learns that the house still functions as if the first Mrs. de Winter was still alive - they have tea when she had it, arrange things as she arranged them, etc. Hortense makes no attempt to change anything, saying she's too shy to stand up to anyone. Her actions give shy people a bad name. I'm shy myself, but I'm not a spineless automaton who lives entirely inside my own head.
That brings me to my next point. So much of this book revolves around Hortense thinking about the past, future, or how the present could be different. The amount of pages we had dedicated to imagined conversations, what-ifs, and wishful desires was ridiculous. I could barely focus on the plot because every two paragraphs Hortense was breaking off to think about something else entirely. Many of the things were in her control to change, but Hortense doesn't take action. She acts as if she has no willpower. It was difficult to read about and impossible to empathize with such a strange, weak-willed character. She's supposedly 21 but acts more like a child of 10 or 11 - and a meek one at that.
Everyone in this book has an obsession with Rebecca. Hortense hates her and is jealous to the point of obsession. De Winter is obsessed with her essentially coming back and haunting him. Mrs. Danvers is just plain obsessed with her (I assume because she practically raised her). It's disturbing to read about a group of adults who are so fixated on one person. Very odd incident of hivemind that I don't even think the author knew she was creating.
The most bizarre part of the book was when Hortense learns that de Winter killed Rebecca (this plot point, by the way, was so obvious, I can't imagine anyone being surprised by it), all she can think is how great it is that he never actually loved Rebecca. What? You learn the man you're married to is a cold-blooded murderer and you're HAPPY about it? What kind of sane woman would have this reaction?
Speaking of marriage, now would probably be a good time to talk about the fact that their relationship is laughable. Once he's confessed to being a murderer, de Winter gushes about how much he loves Hortense, after treating her like an annoying guest at Manderley ever since they've been married. He's hardly paid any attention to her, much less tried to make her happy or at least comfortable. And last time I checked, you don't keep huge, disturbing, life-altering secrets from someone you truly love.
Since I mentioned it at the beginning of this review, I suppose I should elaborate on the overly detailed writing. We don't need three paragraphs about plants that Hortense saw in a dream, or half a page about what's being served for lunch. Conversations that Hortense was IMAGINING sometimes spanned entire pages. Why - just why was this written? Why?
To summarize: there was nothing romantic about this book. The 'suspenseful' plot twist could be seen coming from a mile away. The characters were detestable. This reads like a botched version of Jane Eyre with absolutely none of that novel's redeeming qualities.
I couldn't finish this book, because the Second Mrs. De Winter's complete lack of a spine drove me up the wall.
This was a gripping book about identity as the nameless new wife tries to make sense of her place at Manderley, believing that she could never replace the memory of Rebecca. I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the 1940 Hitchcock film version starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson.
This is a classic. It holds its own well as it ages. A nice mystery.
Rebecca: a classic that calls to me and demands to be read time and again. After suffering a series of painful headaches preventing me from reading, my friend surprised me with the audio version I was a little hesitant listening to it, but am so glad I did. Anna Massey does an outstanding job narrating this classic Her soft, clear voice makes for the perfect Mrs. de Winter, and she does a beautiful job of changing her voices tone and accent to fit the other characters as well. I highly recommend to Rebecca lovers.
Finally got around to reading REBECCA. This is one of those books that I've had on my shelves for years but for some reason never got around to reading even though I've read and enjoyed several other novels by du Maurier. Well, I'm sorry I waited so long to get to this. It's a wonderful novel that should be read by most everyone. I know I saw the Alfred Hitchcock 1940 movie version of this many years ago and I must have retained enough of the film in the back of my mind because many of the scenes in Rebecca seemed very familiar. I now want to see the movie version again. I found that it's available on Youtube so I'll probably be revisiting it soon.
Anyway, the novel was one of those that you don't want to put down -- full of suspense and foreboding. It's the story of a young woman who meets Mr. Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo, falls in love with him, and returns to his estate, Manderley, on the coast of England. When they return there, the new Mrs. de Winter (we are never told her first name), is like a fish out of water. She is the new mistress of the estate but she is from a very humble background and is very shy and withdrawn on top of that. Right away she encounters the ominous Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper who doted on the former mistress of the house, Rebecca, who was drowned in an apparent accident one year previously. Rebecca seems to haunt Manderley, not as an actual spirit, but as a somewhat eerie presence wherever Mrs. de Winter turns. Rebecca seemed to have been loved by all but as the novel progresses it is apparent that Rebecca may have led a somewhat secret and scandalous double life. The novel gets more and more foreboding as it progresses. The boat Rebecca drowned in is found and maybe her death was not an accident. The way the novel starts out with a dream of a ruined Manderley is a definite foreshadowing of things to come and provides a dark and mysterious mood throughout the novel.
I would definitely recommend this novel. It is a classic that should be read.
Anyway, the novel was one of those that you don't want to put down -- full of suspense and foreboding. It's the story of a young woman who meets Mr. Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo, falls in love with him, and returns to his estate, Manderley, on the coast of England. When they return there, the new Mrs. de Winter (we are never told her first name), is like a fish out of water. She is the new mistress of the estate but she is from a very humble background and is very shy and withdrawn on top of that. Right away she encounters the ominous Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper who doted on the former mistress of the house, Rebecca, who was drowned in an apparent accident one year previously. Rebecca seems to haunt Manderley, not as an actual spirit, but as a somewhat eerie presence wherever Mrs. de Winter turns. Rebecca seemed to have been loved by all but as the novel progresses it is apparent that Rebecca may have led a somewhat secret and scandalous double life. The novel gets more and more foreboding as it progresses. The boat Rebecca drowned in is found and maybe her death was not an accident. The way the novel starts out with a dream of a ruined Manderley is a definite foreshadowing of things to come and provides a dark and mysterious mood throughout the novel.
I would definitely recommend this novel. It is a classic that should be read.
decent story, terrible writing
I loved this book so much that I have now put it into my English I Pre-AP reading list. You could not go wrong with this wonderful classic.
I loved this old time classic tale. Daphne du Maurier's atmospheric descriptions are vivid and you can easily picture Manderlay as she builds her plot with suspense and clues as the reader follows along. With plenty of twists and turns, this is a real page-turner right down to the last page. I highly recommend Rebecca as it is truly a wonderful read.
I loved this book! I'd recommended it to anyone and would read it again if I didn't have so many other books to read.
(from the back)
"Last Night I Dreamt
I Went To Manderley Again."
So the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter remembered the chilling events that led her down the turning drive past ther beeches, white and naked, to the isolated gray stone manse on the windswept Cornish coast. With a husband she barely knew, the young bride arrived at this immense estate, only to be inexorably drawn into the life of the first Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca, dead but never forgotten...her suite of rooms never touched, her clothes ready to be worn, her servant -- the sinister Mrs. Danvers -- still loyal. And as an eerie presentiment of evil tightened around her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter began her search for the real fate of Rebecca...for the secrets of Manderley.
"Last Night I Dreamt
I Went To Manderley Again."
So the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter remembered the chilling events that led her down the turning drive past ther beeches, white and naked, to the isolated gray stone manse on the windswept Cornish coast. With a husband she barely knew, the young bride arrived at this immense estate, only to be inexorably drawn into the life of the first Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca, dead but never forgotten...her suite of rooms never touched, her clothes ready to be worn, her servant -- the sinister Mrs. Danvers -- still loyal. And as an eerie presentiment of evil tightened around her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter began her search for the real fate of Rebecca...for the secrets of Manderley.
The book pictured is newer than the one I have. fair condition. With a husband she barely knew, the young birde arrived at the immese estate only to be inexorable drawn into the life of the first Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca dead but never forgotten.
none at this time
