Oct/ Nov 2015 Group Read Selection - Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

[Esther]

The end with (view spoiler)[ the house burning down and no-name taking charge with Maxim a crushed man (hide spoiler)] is very similar to Jane Eyre though Mr Rochester I find more appealing because he is more aware, both of his own failings and Jane's hardships, and he has a sense of humour.
I like the BBC series from 1970s with Joanna David. She makes noname seem less pathetic.

@ Feliks
I almost feel like we are twins!!
"My Cousin Rachel" is also my favourite. Olivia deHavilland was too beautiful and there was the weird way Richard Burton draped the bread and butter over his fingers in the tea scene.
The actress in the excellent 1982 version was Geraldine Chaplin , Charlie's daughter.
Du Maurier's short stories are very creepy. Hitchcock's The Birds was based on one but the best (scariest) one I read was The Blue Lenses

[Zoe]

I think that's the point she is a child still really even though she is an adult she has more or less been in safe places throughout her life and until she met mr de winters.

[Zoe]

Yes that's true I too agree with you that Jane is written well and that you have more sympathy with mr Rochester whereas me de winters is a bit like an old retired gentleman wanting a younger bride because of her innocence rather than herself as in he wants the shell without the fire or spark that makes a person themselves

[Bill]

Esther wrote: "The end with [spoilers removed] is very similar to Jane Eyre though Mr Rochester I find more appealing because he is more aware, both of his own failings and Jane's hardships, and he has a sense of..."

I have The Blue Lenses and other stories on my shelf to read, Esther. I'm looking forward to trying it.