From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier

Start date: July 15, 2016

Finish date: August 14, 2016

Discussion: "Let us Chat a Moment!"

Discussion leader: Lesle

Why we're reading this: Came in First in the Poll and is an English Classic
[close] Came in First in the Poll and is an English Classic

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"Let us Chat a Moment!"

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What Members Thought

Dec 11, 2020 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Such a good book! The slow crawl really kept you engaged and wondering what was going to happen. I really love du Maurier's writing style as well, very descriptive and it really puts you in the story.

I'd read this some time ago, so I had a sense of the plot, but actually really didn't remember a lot. It was such a good interplay between the characters and always rather guessing as to what had happened, who do we need to be concerned about, etc. I was with it from beginning to end! ...more

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Jun 11, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, mysteries-thrillers, 1001-books, gothic-lit, national-book-award-winners

This is another wonderful book about which I was completely wrong -- I had absolutely no understanding of what this book was about. It is not a love story, or a romance. It isn't sweet. Now, some of you would have known this because you knew Daphne du Maurier, but I was not knowledgeable about her and had not read any of her books until a few weeks ago.

I was completely wrong and I am so glad about it.

This book is really fantastic. The setting is dark and brooding and so well drawn that I could s This is another wonderful book about which I was completely wrong -- I had absolutely no understanding of what this book was about. It is not a love story, or a romance. It isn't sweet. Now, some of you would have known this because you knew Daphne du Maurier, but I was not knowledgeable about her and had not read any of her books until a few weeks ago.

I was completely wrong and I am so glad about it.

This book is really fantastic. The setting is dark and brooding and so well drawn that I could see it clearly. The author's descriptions of Manderley were rich and detailed; her words were full of artistry, tightly knitted together creating a mood. I now know that Alfred Hitchcock used her works and created at least three films. He was a master of film noir, and this book is a perfect example of what I can only call "novel noir."

In the very beginning of the book du Maurier told the reader how the book will end, but doesn't give away the surprise. Each moment, each twist in the story, is a surprise. The characters are fully fleshed out people, each struggling with their own demons, holding their own secrets. Each is flawed and unique and often unlikable. Even the protagonist provoked me at times because I found her to be silly and simpering. Her extreme self-consciousness and weakness was painful to read. She was so certain that Rebecca was more beautiful, smarter, sweeter, and more loved. Her certainty didn't come from any real place -- it all came from her own insecurities. And her husband didn't do anything to help her. He was dealing with his own guilt and depression, and he was so focused inward that he ignored his wife and failed to notice her.

I loved how du Maurier kept the tensions in her words and that when the story climaxed I was completely surprised. I loved how even after the story resolved there was one more shocking event. I loved how the story isn't wrapped up in a pretty little bow. It seems that one of du Maurier's trademarks was to leave questions open and lingering in your mind. I saw this in My Cousin Rachel and The House on the Strand, and now in Rebecca too.

Deciding my rating for this one was difficult. It was easily 4 stars; Maybe almost 5 stars. But I liked My Cousin Rachel even better so I am only giving it 4. EDITED TO ADD: I changed my rating to five stars in Nov 2017 because of how well the book has lingered in my mind. ...more

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Jan 04, 2022 Martina Bila rated it it was amazing

Prvá kniha roku 2022 a - vynikajúca!

Aj keď je centrom deja (nevyrovnaný) vzťah medzi postarším bohatým vdovcom a chudobnou hlavnou hrdinkou je pre mňa príbeh o niečom inom. Daphne du Maurier bravúrne vykresľuje vzťah tejto postavy k samej sebe a aké to je byť otrokom vedomia vlastnej nedokonalosti.

"I was glad, of course, to be relieved of responsibility, but it rather added to my sense of humility, to feel that I was not even capable of licking stamps."

Zároveň je veľmi ťažké odlíšiť, nakoľko sa ...more

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Oct 12, 2023 Jose Pacheco rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

"If only there could be an invention," I said impulsively, "that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again."

"I'm afraid I think rather differently than you. All memories are bitter, and I prefer to ignore them. Something happened a year ago that altered my whole life, and I want to forget every phase of my existence up to that time. Those days are f ...more

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Feb 02, 2025 Nicole rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This one was worth all the hype. Beautifully dark and haunting just like the elaborate setting of Manderley. I love how an older novel like this can truly transcend time. I had such vivid imagery in my mind the entire time I read it. I'm almost amazed (but definitely thankful) this was never made into some sort of film. ...more

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