Rebecca in The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

Sep 05, 2020 Danielle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Really 4.5 stars.

I really liked this book; however, parts were very, very slow. I kept thinking that they should just get on with it, but once things got going it was such a whirlwind! I loved it!
The characters were well-developed and even though little was really known about our narrator, I really felt for her throughout the book.

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Jan 06, 2019 Ron rated it it was amazing

A nameless narrator recalls herself at age twenty-one in Monte Carlo as paid companion to a tacky American who brings her near a wealthy widower twice her age, which widower unexpectedly finds her attractive and marries her in time to rescue her from an unwanted voyage to New York. Not all is tea and flowers, though, for Cinderella girl, as life on hubby's grand English country estate is rather tense with everyone else comparing her to the recently drowned and perfectly beautiful first Mrs. (Reb ...more

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Sep 28, 2014 Shay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, classic, gilmore-challenge, gothic

I love this book. It is so beautifully written. I love the descriptions, the atmosphere, the story kept me glued to the pages. I didn't know much of anything when starting this book. I had assumed the main character was named Rebecca, was surprised to find out that wasn't the case and that she had no name. It did drive me a little crazy at first, especially when her name was alluded to but never said.

As for the characters though, I didn't particularly like any of them at first Maxim was critic I love this book. It is so beautifully written. I love the descriptions, the atmosphere, the story kept me glued to the pages. I didn't know much of anything when starting this book. I had assumed the main character was named Rebecca, was surprised to find out that wasn't the case and that she had no name. It did drive me a little crazy at first, especially when her name was alluded to but never said.

As for the characters though, I didn't particularly like any of them at first Maxim was critical and had some crazy moods. He also wasn't very loving or passionate. Some have claimed this a romance but I wouldn't say it's a romance. The second Mrs. deWinter even compares his affection for her to that of hers with the dog. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see them on their honeymoon. Once they were back at Manderley he was somewhat cold and distant.

As for she who shall not be named, what a doormat! I kept hoping she would speak up. She was just expected to be Rebecca 2.0. She had to have the same routine, put the flowers in the same spot. At the point when she was bothered about the morning room and using Rebecca's things I wanted her to just order the servants to throw out everything and make the room hers.

Mrs. Danvers was horrid. I loved when she was scolded by Max. That woman defiantly forgot her place. She wasn't the mistress of the house she was an employee. I hated how Mrs. de Winter let her get away with treating her so badly. The costumes party? What a bitch! Mrs. Danvers was the worst but really the other servants were bad also in the beginning.

Frank, I loved him. For most of the book I think he was much better than Max. He treated Mrs. deWinter much better, he was more concerned about her and helped her out while Max ignored her or was mean or dismissive.

Once the truth about Rebecca was revealed I was relieved that Mrs. de Winter stood up to Mrs. Danvers. I wasn't surprised to learn about Rebecca, I could tell early on that she wasn't really as great as everyone believed and that the marriage wasn't a happy one. I was surprised to learn the truth about her death. I did NOT see that coming. It was nice seeing Maxim finally admit his love, even I didn't think he really loved the second Mrs. de Winter. It was nice to see them open up to each other. I finally started to feel like they had a connection. This is a book I will most likely read many times. ...more

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Jan 23, 2016 Rachel N. rated it really liked it

The tale of the second Mrs. deWinter and how her husband maximilian is still haunted by his first wife Rebecca. For some reason I thought this was going to be a ghost story which it isn't. It is an absorbing love story with plenty of twists and turns and a few good villians. ...more

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