Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - Restarting October 18th 2021

[Keyona]

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .

The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives--presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.

[Raven]

I am late! Three BRs of mine are clashing together, so it has been a struggle.

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 1-5

(view spoiler)[Slightly embarrassed that it's taken me this long to pick this book up!

Mrs Van Hopper is a character, isn't she? I wouldn't want to be stuck with her. I loved her comment about the man who used to dart down stairs away from her, and she thought it was because he was in love with her and not that he was trying to avoid her haha!

So we have a mysterious widower and our young protagonist. Obviously we know they end up married, but I'm excited to see how it unfolds..

Already we can see that our protag is enjoying Mr de Winter's attention and status, but he seems a bit.. strange. That scene when they were out in his car was weird and I was as nervous for the narrator as she was.

Oh, and he's kinda rude. I know this book isn't a romance, but aren't we supposed to like this guy at the beginning? Or is this the beginning of a controlling personality appearing??

The last paragraph in chapter 5 suggests that the narrator is already feeling a bit of jealously towards the previous Mrs de Winter. The fact that she was able to casually call him Max, and he had asked the narrator to call him Maxim. A hint at things to come perhaps?

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 6-9

(view spoiler)[Wow. What a proposal. How could you say no to that? How could any woman turn down a man who calls her ignorant and implies that she has not yet matured into a woman? Seriously, why is this girl attracted to this guy?? So what if he's attractive and has money, his personality sure isn't that great!

Despite the fact that Mrs Van Hopper is awful and she's being really rude and mean, I fear she has a point. I think she might be making a mistake. Obviously shit's gonna go down when she marries him and moves into Manderley. Also, the ghost of his ex-wife is hanging clearly over them, and he's never even said how he feels about the narrator... so why are you getting married to him?

Mrs Danvers is a bit scary. I'm expecting some run-ins with her over the course of the book.

How annoying is it that the staff keep referring to what the previous Mrs de Winter did? Guess what, she's dead now and the narrator is Mrs de Winter now, so stop comparing the two!!

Beatrice is straight to the point as well, isn't she? Not holding back at all, that one!

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 10-15

(view spoiler)[Maxim is soooo weird. Obviously he didn't want to go to where his former wife died, but why is he taking it out on the narrator? He was awful to her in that scene.

A dangerous game our narrator is playing. Fishing for information about Rebecca from the bishop's wife and Frank. She's so hung up on her predecessor, isn't she? I suppose it doesn't help with the comparisons from Beatrice and the staff.

I'm getting quite annoyed with 'Mrs de Winter used to do this, Mrs de Winter used to do that'. Narrator, you are Mrs de Winter now. These people are your staff. You tell them what you want to do. Stop following in Rebecca's footsteps. She's dead. You're not. I understand she's still young and hasn't been brought up in this environmental, but surely you'd want to live your own life and not a dead woman's??

Oh and Maxim is kinda emotionally abusive. Fuck this guy.

Ohh....kayyy.. so Mrs Danvers is crazy and terrifying. What the actual fuck?!?!? She's clearly obsessed with Rebecca.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 16-20

(view spoiler)[I had a feeling that the narrator's fancy dress outfit would be something to do with Rebecca. I knew when Mrs Danvers was pressuring her to pick it. Well she got what she wanted, she caused a rift between the narrator and Maxim.

Is it possible that Rebecca is possessing the narrator and letting her see past events? The scene at the dinner table where she recalls a scene between Rebecca and Maxim, and then Maxim asks her what she's doing because she's been mimicking the movements seems to hint at that.

I think Mrs Danvers was in love with Rebecca, as was everyone apparently. Also, was it true that Rebecca was unfaithful??

As if she's trying to persuade the narrator to commit suicide?!?!? What the actual fuck is going on?!??!

And then the boat crash and now they're acting like nothing just happened? Whaaat?

WAIT WHAT???????????? MAXIM KILLED REBECCA?????????

And she's okay with all this? I'm so confused..

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 21-End

(view spoiler)[I wasn't so keen on the abrupt ending. I'm not sure who I think set the house on fire, although there's lots of motive for Mrs Danvers to do it.

So Rebecca was dying of cancer and it would have only got more painful for her, so she taunted Maxim into killing her?

The narrator and Maxim had such a weird relationship. They seem to marry out of necessity; the narrator so she can escape her life as a companion for Mrs van Hopper and Maxim to escape the ghost of Rebecca. They don't seem to have a happy marriage until Maxim confesses to killing Rebecca which is weird. It's like they cling to each other and a wall between them is torn down.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book but it hasn't become a new favourite for me unfortunately.

(hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

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Date changed. Restarting October 19th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Johanna]

I would love to join! :-)

[Dannii]

Johanna wrote: "I would love to join! :-)"

Awesome :) The more the better :)

[Johanna]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[I love the feeling of old times in this book, that's why I love classics. There is something so mysterious and creepy, you know that something is going to happen to our heroness in Manderley and you have no idea what has happened to Rebecca (I mean if he has something to do with her death or if not: what has made her to take her own life). I love the way her love has described, I think it's accurate for young people. I can't wait for her arriving to Mandarlay because I've a feeling there is going to happen something creepy. And by the way: I wan't also have a flu like Mrs. Van Hopper: you do even your makeup in bed, haha (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'll be starting this later today/tomorrow :)

[Johanna]

Dannii wrote: "I'll be starting this later today/tomorrow :)"
Yay!

[Johanna]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[I love love love the atmosphere!! It's so nice to follow the life of our narrator. This kind of life where you have people taking care of things - not listening audiobook while doing household chores Dannii 😂 It's a bit horrid that Max has never said something about feelings. Our narrator is young and insecure, I think she needs somekind of confirmation. And she deserves it as well! But it seems like she is nothing else than a company and I can believe she is going to get some strange ideas when she is idle and when everybody is talking about perfection named Rebecca all the time. And how people tell her how much Max loved Rebecca. I feel for her. It's interesting to see how this is going to develop. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[I'm starting to wonder if Rebecca had a relationship with Frank and saw him in the cottage. Then she is not so good and perfect than everybody is saying: specially if you think what she has then said to Ben. And what's this thing with Rebecca's cousin, there is something strange. I'm so happy that I don't have servants and I can do what ever pleases me in my home, it would be awful to live thinking somebody is watching you all the time. There was so good thoughts about older people: it's so true that only they understand how it is to be like them. And where really disappears the younger versions of them. Really good sentences, read them loving every word! (hide spoiler)]

[Jules]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ This feels like a very atmospheric read. The author really took their time describing things and I love reads like this. The suspense is rising at this point I don’t trust her husband, I’m come on their marriage was so sudden. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[There was signs that Rebecca wasn't really so good that everyone said but that she was THAT evil... that was interesting! And now I'm wondering how they're going to get away from the situation! I think and maybe even hope that man with our narrator in the beginning was Maximilian. It was quite awful what happened at the ball :( Poor woman. It was really tense scene when Danny tried to talk our narrator to jump from the window!! I love how things has started to be so tense and even creepy. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Johanna wrote: "Chapter 5
[spoilers removed]"

I agree with all your early thoughts. I loved learning of the characters first meet and interact but was excited for Manderley to be introduced. It overshadowed all previous conversations and so almost felt like a character itself.

[Dannii]

Johanna wrote: "Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

Hahahaha! This made me laugh. That life would be nice! I also (view spoiler)[wish Max had mentioned his feelings. He called her a 'fool' during his proposal and our anxious little protagonist deserved better. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Julia wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Max's proposal was so suspiciously sudden and his lack of emotion during the proposal was definitely suspicious. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[Our lovely, little, unnamed protagonist is immediately lovable. She is shy, anxious, and eager to please. These are all qualities that Max saw and his proposal was therefore based on these rather than attraction to who she is beneath them. He has remained entirely unemotional throughout, so far. I was so eager for the setting to move to Manderley, after so many hints dropped about its beauty and grandeur. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Mrs Danvers is such a challenge and makes life as hard as she possibly can for her new mistress. Max's sister confides Mrs Danvers' love for Rebecca, which helps to explain her coldness towards the woman who took her place. As for Max's sister herself, I thought her such a likable and warm character, if very abrupt. Max remains just as emotionless and cold, in comparison.

I'm feeling lots of second-hand embarrassment for our poor protagonist. She is so unsure of herself and manages to always inadvertently put her foot in it. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Dannii wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Chapter 5
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[You're right; Manderley almost feel like a person, specially in the beginning when it was descriped so mysterously! (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Dannii wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It's almost weird how easy it was to believe in this story even with a proposal like that. It might be easier to believe when you're reading a classic. It would be really strange to read a new book with this kind of proposal and that leading to marriage xD But well our young lady hasn't relatives and only opportunity to win something through a marriage. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter
(view spoiler)[Now when you said it: I laughed when she answered to phone first time and how she tried to hide when her sister-in-law came to visit. Haha, it was so easy to imagine me in those situation, doing something likewise stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Johanna wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The age of the book definitely alters how I view the events depicted. If this was a modern day protagonist I'd have been screaming at her to have more agency. Haha! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Johanna wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Second quarter
[spoilers removed]"

I cringed so hard when she answered the phone. Poor thing. That was such a blunder to make!

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Mrs Danvers attempted to ruin our protagonist and I felt more embarrassment for her when it was revealed that she had inadvertently copied Rebecca's previous fancy dress outfit. The only positive to take from this scene was that it caused Mrs Danvers to reveal her true feelings and intentions instead of continuing with false politeness and underhanded tactics. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Max spills his secrets to our protagonist so quickly once he learns that a body has been found, as though the guilt weighed heavily upon him and he was eager to alleviate it. We learn that Rebecca was not the perfect wife the protagonist thought her and she did not have the perfect marriage with Max, either. She had created an entirely fictional version of the life they led together. He was very lucky to escape freely from the murder investigation but I guess the burning of his beloved home can be seen as his consequence and fate playing its part. (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Finish
(view spoiler)[It was so thrilling to follow what's going to happen when Rebecca's cousin came with his accusions and they started to investigate the case. The ending could be a different but this was quite an enjoyable read! (hide spoiler)]

[Johanna]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[This was so good version about things thas happens behind the closed doors... People have always wanted to others think things are going okay even they aren't. Nowadays that happena through instagaram.

Thank you so much for this BR! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Johanna wrote: "Finish
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It really made the tension and pacing pick up towards the end. The investigation could have gone in any direction!

Thanks for the BR too :) (hide spoiler)]

[Jules]

I just got done with Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[Omg Mrs. Danvers is so creepy she’s literally trying to scary the protagonist. (hide spoiler)]

[Jules]

Sorry it’s taking me forever! I work in a restaurant and we’ve been getting our butts kicked for the past 2 weeks

[Johanna]

NP, I'm here waiting your comments whenever you have time ^_^

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting October 18th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Ta || bookishbluehead]

1 % (view spoiler)[Starting this now. I had this on my TBR forever and I keep hearing about it. I’m excited. (hide spoiler)]

14 %(view spoiler)[We’re now at Manderley. I think the story will pick up now and so far I’m really enjoying it. (hide spoiler)]

61 %(view spoiler)[Got sucked into this book, I like it. Mrs. Danvers tried to make our MC (does she have a name?) jump of the cliff. I think she’s the one keeping Rebeccas presence alive. I really dislike Mrs. Danvers. (hide spoiler)]

73 %(view spoiler)[I wonder now, that they found the real body of Rebecca if someone will try to blame her death on Maxime. (hide spoiler)]

77 %(view spoiler)[Well, he killed her… (hide spoiler)]

100 %(view spoiler)[Even though he did kill his wife, I was happy with it being ruled out as a suicide. They’ve lost Manderley but they still have each other and maybe that’s for the best. I’ll have to watch the movie now, to see if it can hold up with my high expectations. I really enjoyed this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)["last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" Having read this book before gives this first line a haunting quality. I get shivers every time I hear it.

I hate insta-love and yet witnessing Max and the protagonist fall so quickly makes me feel strangely soft towards them. Even when he calls her "a little fool" I don't dislike him or feel he cares as little for her as his composed exterior seems to suggest. (hide spoiler)]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Their return to Manderley quickly ruins ends their honeymoon period. Both seem haunted by the memories that lurk there. It also becomes even more apparent how anxious and shy our protagonist is and how quick Mrs Danvers is to make comparisons between her naivety and Rebecca's confidence. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[The secrets and mysteries, concerning Rebecca's death, are proving they won't stay buried. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I loved my time with this book just as much as I did during my first reading. It is such a cleverly sinister and Gothic read! I also love how the dramatic second half was followed by a quiet yet sorrowful conclusion. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "1 % [spoilers removed]

14 %[spoilers removed]

61 %[spoilers removed]

73 %[spoilers removed]

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I'm so glad you loved this one as much as I did, Ta :) I'd definitely recommend the Netflix adaptation. It has a different feel to the book but I really enjoyed it and thought the casting was great.

I also shared your dislike for (view spoiler)[Mrs Danvers. She seemed like a villain throughout this! Max was a murderer and yet I never hated him for his actions. I'm glad for the way the conclusion went. It was a pretty sad yet fair ending, it felt to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Dannii wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "1 % [spoilers removed]

14 %[spoilers removed]

61 %[spoilers removed]

73 %[spoilers removed]

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I'm so glad you loved..."

Since your recommendation I watched the Netflix adaption this weekend, thank you for that, you were right it was really good, I had fun with it.

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - "last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" Having read this book before gives this first line a haunting quality. I get shivers every time I hear it.

I hate insta-love and yet..."

First quarter (view spoiler)[Until you said it I didn't even realize the insta-love, normally I dislike this trope, but here it fits the story so perfectly and didn't bother me at all. (hide spoiler)]

Forth quarter (view spoiler)[Yes, du Maurier seems to know how to create a atmospheric book. Just like our MC I felt slightly uncomfortable in Manderley, but couldn't resist it's pull. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "1 % [spoilers removed]

14 %[spoilers removed]

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I'm so..."

I'm glad you loved it too :)

[Ashley W]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "1 % [spoilers removed]

14 %[spoilers removed]

61 %[spoilers removed]

73 %[spoilers removed]

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1% - Yep, it's been on my list since high school. I've heard it's like Jane Eyre, but I don't want to set it to that standard. I'm pretty excited though.

[Ashley W]

7%
(view spoiler)[ Did I miss her name or have they not said it? (hide spoiler)]

[Ta || bookishbluehead]

Ashley wrote: "7%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[You didn't miss it, her name's not said. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ashley wrote: "7%
[spoilers removed]"

She never reveals it. One of the mysteries of this book.