Erika’s Comments (group member since Nov 26, 2019)

Erika’s comments from the #ClassicsCommunity 2021 Reading Challenge group.

(I'm late!) I've already gushed about how much I loved this book, but I guess I'll reiterate haha: I couldn't put it down! The language and the overall story were so engaging and interesting. I wasn't expecting to love it this much.
1) So maybe I'm giving the characters a bit too much credit but: I honestly didn't doubt that the narrator loved Maxim for his personality (rather than the idea of him) even after he broke down and confessed. @Miriam touched upon how the narrator fell in love with the "real" Maxim which I agree with; she fell in love with his kindness and respectful nature, and with the more carefree version of him, I think. And her love for him allowed for her to sympathize with his actions. (I obviously do not condone murder!) but after hearing about the cruelty and mind games he endured during their marriage, I'm sure it was a bit easier to rationalize the event. Thus, it wasn't difficult for the narrator to stand by him.
2) Yes! I kept saying, "Don't choose that costume, don't choose that costume! Something bad is going to happen" haha. I suspected that it was most likely a costume that Rebecca had worn.
3) I believe Maxim rushed into marriage in an attempt to forget the past. Perhaps he assumed it would be easier to avoid his thoughts with a spouse. And also, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he may have been very taken with the narrator in his own way. She was unlike anyone in his circle, and the complete opposite to Rebecca.
4) Yes, I was honestly not expecting that reveal! I had no idea/suspicions. And oh my goodness, I was so grossed out by that relationship!!!! I was thinking, "okay Rebecca, you are a narcissist or sociopath and don't truly care about anyone and you want to cheat on your husband, fine, whatever. But could you at least limit your affairs to non relatives???"
So gross.
5) No, not yet. I'm planning on watching it soon though!

@Shannon I'd be up for another Daphne Du Maurier book!

@Anna I have had that same experience a couple of times in the past (watching the movie/mini series first, and because the characters were brought to life on screen it was a bit easier to quickly connect with them while reading. One book/mini series pair that comes to mind is Band of Brothers). How did you like the Netflix adaptation?

@Janice I finished a few days ago as well, I couldn't put it down! Such a good book.

This will be my first time reading Rebecca. I'm very intrigued, and can't wait to start it!

I'm a bit late to the discussion, but the book choices for the upcoming months look great!

@Ashley Murder on the Orient is my all time favorite Christie book, actually! I agree with Shannon that the twist in this book is definitely Christie-like, but I would say that (like I mentioned in my other post) the ending in And then there were none is a bit bleak compared to her other stories. And a bit different in the sense that you required the message in the bottle to understand what happened. I guess I feel like the majority of her other stories have slightly neater endings (although not formulaic!), and are more detective stories so we have someone to root for, unlike this story.
Some stories that I really enjoyed: Murder at the Vicarage, Death on the Nile, Halloween Party, and Cat Among the Pigeons. I prefer Poirot usually, although Murder at the Vicarage is Miss Marple, and I'm not really a huge fan of the Tommy and Tuppence stories (but I haven't read them in a very long time, so I suppose my opinion could have changed)

1. I think this book is genius and still holds up. However, it probably falls in the middle for me (I still enjoy it though). I think this might be because I prefer the detective aspect of her other stories, and how they triumph and get the murderer. This one has an ending that feels more bleak to me.
2. Nope, I didn't see it when I first read the book many years ago and I didn't see it now. Which is why I love Christie.
3. Absolutely not! haha. @Avni yes, same, being an introvert makes it seem like a less than enjoyable prospect.
4. I didn't even realize that there was a newer adaptation of this book. I would like to try it out.

Can't wait to discuss it!! ☺️

@Janice and @Gia I'm so glad that you guys enjoyed it!! And yes, you guys should check out the movie(s) if you have the time! I obviously have to be of the opinion that the book is always better lol, but I think the movie is also good and entertaining.

1. I think I agree with this statement. When I think of Sherlock Holmes I instantly think of Watson, Baker St, and The Hound of the Baskervilles.
2. Absolutely!! I think the setting (the lonely moors/country) were a perfect choice for a spooky story such as this. And something about the way Doyle wrote this one makes it way more atmospheric than his other stories.
3. I've already said this a million times in our book club, but I LOVE this story. It's my favorite Sherlock Holmes book, and I can always return to it and enjoy it.
4. I like that Watson is in driver's seat for some of the book (or at least, it appears to be so). And the only thing I don't like about this book is an implied animal death...)
5. I'm actually rewatching the series now (@Shannon you brought it up last month and it made me think it was definitely time to revisit the show!), but I haven't gotten to the Hound episode yet.

Overall I enjoyed revisiting this book, and I'm really looking forward to next month's pick. It's been many, many years since I've read And Then There Were None.

@Shannon oh I love that Sherlock episode!!!

1. Loved it! It was complex and thrilling and I loved the characters.
2. Yes to both, actually. And I find the feeling of deja vu very frustrating since I can't remember why something seems familiar. Of course, I haven't experienced anything close to Gwenda's deja vu episode.
3. This is difficult to answer... On the one hand the house has a lot of bad memories, so selling it and starting new somewhere else might be the best choice. But also, Gwenda managed to begin transforming the house and making it a cozy English residence, so it has potential to be a happy home. @Nada and like you pointed out it's by the sea, and such a dream location!! I think I might stay despite the house's history.
@Nada I didn't know about the 1987 adaptation. I will definitely check it out!

I'm very excited for another reread ☺️. @Gia I hope you like it as much as I do!!

I think these are great choices. Looking forward to the months ahead!!

So sorry that I'm late to the first discussion (I got my dates mixed up!).
1. Sleeping Murder is a reread for me, and I'm loving it even more the second time round! And I like that Miss Marple is directly interacting with Gwenda (compared to her kind of being in the background in the other books we've read).
2. I really like Gwenda. Like Gia said, I admire her. She seems like a very determined, yet sweet, person.
3. Absolutely not!! haha. Even though the house seems so picturesque, something like that would definitely drive me out of it immediately. Even while rereading this story I was a little creeped out by Gwenda's flashbacks. Very eery!

The Moonstone was a great read, so I wouldn't mind exploring more Wilke Collins' works! And I'm really intrigued by Anna Katherine Green,. A.A Milne, and Louisa May Alcott's works. This is such a great list @Shannon (I want to read almost everything hahaha)!!! Thank you for compiling it. And I agree Rebecca seems like a good choice!

I'm voting A (obviously), but I'll enjoy whichever one wins ☺️. @Gia it really is an awesome Sherlock mystery, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Even if it is a bit spooky!

Alternating between Christie and other classics sounds like a lot of fun. And it will help me fit in more classics (which I've neglected doing this year, even though it was a goal of mine eeeek!). Love, love, love the idea of reading And Then There Were None! Love that book. Also, if we were to implement a few Sherlock Holmes books into the mix, I think we should try to include The Hound of the Baskervilles (unless no one likes the idea)? It's my favorite one, and I'm always up for a reread.

The Sleeping Murder discussion dates are fine by me too ☺️. And I also like the idea of an Oct. 31st discussion!