Matt Dorff asked this question about Rebecca:
Why does du Maurier put the epilogue of REBECCA at the front of the book? The dream yes, I understand that. But placing the narrator and Maxim together with marriage intact (though having come through some trauma) and even disclosing that Mrs. Danvers has survived the ordeal seems to undermine a great deal of suspense. It's a miracle that du Maurier achieves the suspense she does (through masterful plotting).
Jayne Kleinfeld In my opinion, putting the epilogue at the beginning of the book added to the book's suspense because it gives the reader a glimpse of the characters'…moreIn my opinion, putting the epilogue at the beginning of the book added to the book's suspense because it gives the reader a glimpse of the characters' ultimate fates without revealing what led to the events that took place. So the suspense is not really in the ending, but in what events actually led to the ending. It also allows du Maurier to leave the actual ending of the book ambiguous without tying everything up in a neat bow at the end. (less)
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