Rebecca in WACKY READING CHALLENGES

Mar 30, 2017 Jody rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-before-you-die, aty-reject-challenge, popsugar-2017, aty-2017, bbc-100, bbc-big-read, rory-gilmore, guardian-1000, radcliffes-rival-100, book-bub-100-classics

I loved this book. It was atmospheric, creepy, addictive. The characters, even though almost none of them were likeable, were fantastic. Mrs Danvers ... a deliciously horrible woman. The narrator was infuriating, but so real, with her constant imagined scenarios and insecurities.

Manderley was a character in itself, and du Maurier's descriptions of it were incredible.

I could not put this down once I hit about three-quarters through, and finished it at 1am. Well past my bedtime. That ending! From ...more

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Jan 19, 2016 Olivermagnus rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, classics, fiction

First published over 80 years ago, Rebecca remains one of the best loved modern Gothics. Rebecca is the story of two marriages, one in the present and one in the recent past. The story is narrated by the second Mrs. de Winter, older and wiser now, who is looking back on her younger self and the tragedy that she and her husband have been through. Following a brief courtship, Maxim de Winter brings his young bride, who remains nameless throughout the novel, home to Manderley, the family estate on First published over 80 years ago, Rebecca remains one of the best loved modern Gothics. Rebecca is the story of two marriages, one in the present and one in the recent past. The story is narrated by the second Mrs. de Winter, older and wiser now, who is looking back on her younger self and the tragedy that she and her husband have been through. Following a brief courtship, Maxim de Winter brings his young bride, who remains nameless throughout the novel, home to Manderley, the family estate on the coast of Cornwall. There she meets her nemesis, the housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, who for some unknown reason takes pleasure in humiliating her shy young mistress at every turn.

Our poor heroine finds herself competing for the affections of her husband with his dead wife, Rebecca, who seems very much alive in spirit. From the moment she enters Manderley, she feels oppressed by Rebecca's shadow. Maxim has become increasingly aloof and she believes it's because he is haunted by his memories of Rebecca. She was a charming, vivacious, and beautiful woman. Everyone who knew her, loved her, Mrs. Danvers most of all. Our narrator is near paralyzed with insecurity. As the author ratchets up the suspense, our heroine becomes unnerved and unsure of Maxim's love. Events come to a head when a skeleton is found in a place where it shouldn't be. Whose is it?

Overall, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Rebecca. I very rarely stop and examine the beautiful quality of a sentence as I did numerous times while reading this book. I thought it was exquisitely written and suspenseful. I think the author did a wonderful job of showing the shy, insecure young mistress of the house, lost and alone, desperate to fit in. The only flaw I experienced with this novel is that the character seems very passive. The narrator acknowledges the ridiculousness of youth but with a sympathy for it. I'm glad I finally took the opportunity to reread this classic. I can see why it's stood the test of time and has never been out of print since it's 1938 debut. ...more

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