Rebecca in Crazy Challenge Connection

Oct 14, 2017 BookishStitcher rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I absolutely loved this book so much! From the very first line the novel draws you into what could possibly be the most atmospherically creepy book I have ever read. Daphne du Maurier also has this beautifully decadent writing style that was so lovely and rich. The last paragraph of this book maybe the best book ending I've seen. I'm so glad that I read this, and I definitely want to read more by this author soon.

The line that reviewer Malorie Blackman said, "Rebecca is dead and yet she influenc ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2019 Ashleigh rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-read

I've had this book to read for an embarrassingly long time, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. It's slow to start, but once we get to Manderley, the suspense builds and I kinda enjoyed it. The characters are unlikeable (I think that's the point), and the narrator, in particular, really got on my nerves. She spends so much time allowing herself to be compared to Rebecca, and even comparing herself to Rebecca, and I just wanted her to say, look this is me and this is how I'm gonna do things. Als ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

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

Shelves: 2020, fiction, classics

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

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2018 Kristin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gothic, own-hb, 2018-books, 5000-books

Rebecca is a fine example of an early gothic novel. Daphne du Maurice does a good job creating an atmosphere of sadness, dread, and doom.

Rebecca is the dead wife of Max de Winter. The author shows us her magnetic personality and strong presence only through the living characters of this book. The second wife, a young inexperienced woman, also feels her presence. The housekeeper was enthralled with Rebecca and does everything in her power to destroy the confidence of the new Mrs. de Winter. The ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 21, 2017 Kate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A slow beginning, but it improves as the story develops.

4 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2015 Martha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2016, fiction, read-women-20, feminism, would-read-again, read-2020, favorites, big-books-20

Another foray into "classic literature" that has absolutely paid off!

Rebecca is the haunting tale of a young, unnamed heroine who marries the enigmatic widower, Maxim de Winter. Our heroine spends much of the book struggling to realise her own identity under the shadow of Maxim's dead wife, the seemingly perfect Rebecca. Full of twists, suspense and gothic intrigue; many elements make this a modern Jane Eyre, while being simultaneously more accessible and more complex.

Not only did the story have ...more

2 likes · Like · see review