Rebecca in Retro Chapter Chicks

Nov 08, 2016 Candi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classics-shelf, mystery-crime, cornwall, gothic, favorites

Oh, how I wish I could rewind the past month and start all over again! Then I could pick up Rebecca and experience this breathtaking novel once more as if for the first time. Truth be told, this wasn’t actually my first time reading this quintessential piece of classic gothic literature. However, I am ashamed to say that the number of years that have passed between my first reading and this recent one, combined with what I like to call a lingering case of ‘momnesia’, effectively rendered this re Oh, how I wish I could rewind the past month and start all over again! Then I could pick up Rebecca and experience this breathtaking novel once more as if for the first time. Truth be told, this wasn’t actually my first time reading this quintessential piece of classic gothic literature. However, I am ashamed to say that the number of years that have passed between my first reading and this recent one, combined with what I like to call a lingering case of ‘momnesia’, effectively rendered this reading very much like a first time. For that I am actually grateful, because I completely immersed and surrendered myself to the beautiful writing of the remarkably talented Daphne du Maurier.

The unnamed narrator is an inexperienced and insecure young woman with not much of a future to speak of – unless becoming a companion to an overbearing busybody by the name of Mrs. Van Hopper could be called a promising prospect! So when the handsome, mysterious and wealthy Maxim de Winter seems to take an interest and offers a much more enticing alternative – that of being his wife – what is a girl to do but accept?! The honeymoon at an end, the newly married couple returns to Manderley, Max de Winter’s estate. Manderley itself is a major character in this novel. I could sense it almost as a living, breathing entity; the descriptions of this magnificent place were so masterfully crafted. I felt as if I were sitting right there with Mrs. de Winter as she approached Manderley for the first time.

"Suddenly I saw a clearing in the dark drive ahead, and a patch of sky, and in a moment the dark trees had thinned, the nameless shrubs had disappeared, and on either side of us was a wall of colour, blood-red, reaching far above our heads. We were amongst the rhododendrons. There was something bewildering, even shocking, about the suddenness of their discovery. The woods had not prepared me for them. They startled me with their crimson faces, massed one upon the other in incredible profusion, showing no leaf, no twig, nothing but the slaughterous red, luscious and fantastic, unlike any rhododendron plant I had seen before… these were monsters, rearing to the sky, massed like a battalion, too beautiful I thought, too powerful; they were not plants at all."

Rhododendrons, Red, Rebecca… She is everywhere. The second Mrs. de Winter (the only name by which she will ever be identified) had not expected the ceaseless competition from the deceased first Mrs. de winter, Rebecca - Rebecca with a capital R written with such confidence, a confidence that even transcends death. She lingers in the morning-room, she lurks in the gallery, she tarries in the cottage by the beach. But most of all, Rebecca dwells within the minds of everyone living in the West Country along the rugged coast of England. Max de Winter becomes a brooding and aloof husband once back within the clutches of Manderley and Rebecca’s memory. The new Mrs. de Winter is tormented by her own fantasies of this formidable adversary. Since the novel is cleverly written from the perspective of this naïve young woman, the reader becomes intimate with the psychological turmoil she endures. She is also subject to the criticism and malice of the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. Mrs. Danvers worshiped Rebecca during her life and continues to do so even after her death. I absolutely loved to hate this dark and intimidating woman!

"Once more, I glanced up at her and once more I met her eyes, dark and somber, in that white face of hers, instilling into me, I knew not why, a strange feeling of disquiet, of foreboding. I tried to smile, and could not; I found myself held by those eyes, that had no light, no flicker of sympathy towards me."

Every single character is drawn skillfully and comes to life within the pages of this book. The tension builds and one cannot help becoming entangled with the suspenseful buildup of events leading to the climax. I was transported to another time and place and was perfectly mesmerized. I can’t say much more without getting into spoiler territory if you have not yet read this masterpiece. Just grab a copy soon and experience this one – please! This is the best of the best and is going on that very special bookshelf at home.

"I wondered how many people there were in the world who suffered, and continued to suffer, because they could not break out from their own web of shyness and reserve, and in their blindness and folly built up a great distorted wall in front of them that hid the truth. This was what I had done. I had built up false pictures in my mind and sat before them. I had never had the courage to demand the truth."
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Nov 22, 2020 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-reads, classics, own, historical, machalo-tbr-challenge-2021, 5-stars, favorites, paperback-own

Buddy Read with my lovely friend, Vickie 😘 I had so much fun text reading this with her!

First and foremost, a big shout-out to Mrs. Danvers and a few other twats.

I absolutely loved this book. It was atmospheric. It was sad. It made me mad. It was utterly delicious and had me on the edge of my seat at the same time. Just when you think things are one way, they are not!! I was shocked at the twist and also totally delighted. Hmm, I wonder what that says about me 🤔

I loved these characters with al ...more

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Apr 04, 2014 Celia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ten-year-challenge, 1001-challenge, great-american-reads, 2018-caz, gilmore, 2018-read, classics, 100-must-read, voracious, fictitious-dishes

I read this book first as a 10 year old child... 60 years ago. Yes, I was precocious, at least regarding my reading. I loved the classics. (Of course, in 1958, Rebecca was barely a classic, having been written in 1938).

I realized when looking at the Great American Reads 100 list that I had read it, but barely remembered it. A re-read was definitely in order.

WHAT A BOOK!!

I believe this book defines Daphne du Maurier: it is a very well conceived plot that is both a page turner/mystery AND a psych ...more

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Aug 26, 2014 debbicat *made of stardust* rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: gothic-mystery-romance, 2016-reads, gothic, buddy-read, used-bookstore-finds-treasures, on-my-own-bookshelf, top-10, abc-doom-challenge

One of my favorites. Haunting and beautiful. Unforgettable.

Ahhhhhh Manderley. I can picture it so easily. Wish I could go there.

Rebecca is thought to be Du Maurier's most famous and well-considered novel. It was first published in 1938 and received Britain's National Book Award. It was made into a movie in 1940 and that won the Academy award for best motion picture.

UPDATE: April 25, 2016 Re-Read with the Reading for Pleasure Book Club. Large buddy read. Looking forward to the discussion with One of my favorites. Haunting and beautiful. Unforgettable.

Ahhhhhh Manderley. I can picture it so easily. Wish I could go there.

Rebecca is thought to be Du Maurier's most famous and well-considered novel. It was first published in 1938 and received Britain's National Book Award. It was made into a movie in 1940 and that won the Academy award for best motion picture.

UPDATE: April 25, 2016 Re-Read with the Reading for Pleasure Book Club. Large buddy read. Looking forward to the discussion with friends in the group.

HAS to be the BEST opening sentence there ever was...."LAST NIGHT I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

"I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while I could not enter for the way was barred to me."...."Then, like all dreamers, I was possessed of a sudden with supernatural powers and passed like a spirit through the barrier before me."

I don't think anything in this genre will ever top this read for me. The suspense, the house...The House! The coast. The un-named heroine... Rebecca...the first wife...Ms. Danvers - creepy Ms. Danvers.

Anyone questioning if they should give this a go. if it's their cuppa tea...if it lives up to the hype...question no longer. It delivers! It will haunt you and make you think about things for a long time to come.

Fascinating, brilliant, haunting, suspenseful, engaging - completely filled with everything you expect and want in a good gothic. Read it on a rainy day, read it on the train, read it by the beach, read it in your own backyard....it matters not where - just read it. Then come back here and tell me you did not love it.

A fun little note: for it's time...Alfred Hitchcock was making a movie and there is this one thing that happens...just a tiny little thing (or is it?) that was so shocking, well, Hitchcock changed it in the movie bc he thought the public would be outraged. In this day and age, probably not so much. But, it is fun trivia. Now I bet ya wanna read it and watch the movie. :-) The movie is good too! ...more

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Dec 05, 2010 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, classic, suspense, book-club, concierge, library, movie

I read the book and simultaneously listened to the audio performed by Anna Massey

Wow! Why hadn’t I read this before? Classic psychological thriller and the epitome of the gothic novel.

Our narrator begins her life as companion-in-training to the insufferable Mrs Van Hopper, who is spending the season in Monte (Carlo, that is). There they come across Mr Maxim de Winter in the resort restaurant. He is a well-known widower who “can’t seem to get over the loss of his wife.” Events lead the young nar ...more

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Apr 24, 2021 Theresa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-reads, classics-and-classic-redos, nostalgia, revisiting-faves, feminism, ghost-story, z-2021-top-10, gothic

The very last description I would give this novel is a great love story. It is so far from that as to be ludicrous that anyone would ever consider it so. To call it a love story, or allocate it as a 'romance' in the shallow manner so often employed by those who sniff in judgment of such genre reading, it doing it a grave disservice.

The plot is well-known - young girl marries older wealthy man, they set up house on his estate named Manderley, and new wife becomes haunted by the vibrant first wif ...more

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May 17, 2010 Tasha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-2012, gothic-ghost, historical-fiction, classics

I just have to give this one 5 stars. The narrator was not my favorite but the writing was just fantastic. I couldn't wait to get to this book every night and would have gladly spent an entire day reading if I had the chance. This is my first du Maurier book and you can bet it is not my last! ...more

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Nov 16, 2022 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

What a gothic thriller!
For those who have not read, Rebecca, expect darkness and foreboding as the new Mrs. de Winter struggles to find her place at the Manderley Estate.
The most frightful character is Mrs. Danvers; she works her 'dark magic' to frighten and bring about the ruin of the new Mrs. de Winter. And, how interesting that du Maurier chooses not to give her a first name!
Rebecca de Winter is a presence that cannot be forgotten by all that have encountered her. And, the members of the Ma ...more

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Aug 23, 2019 Kelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, 2019-52-book-challenge

This book was unlike any other I've read, or that I can remember reading anyway. I love the author's writing style; it fit the feel and tone of this book perfectly. I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the entire book and I can completely see why this book was made into an Alfred Hitchcock movie! ...more

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Jul 18, 2014 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it it was amazing

5 STARS

"The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives--presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave." (From Amazon)

One of my favourite ...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Phair rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club, classics

Didn't really want to read this one- never actually read any du Maurier before but as I had to lead the f2f group discussion on this it was a mad dash to finish it in a couple of days. It took about 100pp to get into it. At first it seemed overly wordy & slow but I could really see the roots of the "gothic romance" that came after this- Victoria Holt, Dorothy Eden, et al. Nice build-up of the sense of foreboding. Since I had only vague recollections of the old film I did not absolutely know wha ...more

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