Book Review: Mrs. de Winter by Susan Hill ... Beautifully written and so very satisfying. Susan Hill is the best ghost story writer ever (The Woman in Black). She has a gift that matches Hitchcock for suspense, insightful mind-bending, and atmospheric brilliance. Mrs. De Winter (sequel to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca) has a power that does not let you down. Loved the ending because it was so perfectly written and poignant. I felt like I was reading Daphne du Maurier the whole time. Hill remained true to the character of the new Mrs. De Winter in that, yes, the woman is overwhelmed with fear of Mrs. Danvers and the ghost of Rebecca, fear of life and all its shadows, a woman who makes all the wrong choices, but drives the story deeper to expose the despicable Maxim de Winter. While Maxim is a tad warmer than what he was in Rebecca, you still want to kick him down the stairs for his arrogance and cowardice. I have to disagree with most of the 1-star reviews that have faulted Hill for not giving Mrs. De Winter more spine and aggression. She’s not your modern woman using self-esteem for her fuel. Yet, she does find how to live in her own shoes. Does she grow? Yes, but not in the cliché way you might expect. More than “fan fiction” this story is a delicious return to the haunting and sadness that is the curse of Manderley. And how Mrs. De Winter’s innocence sparks the justice Maxim has coming to him. Now it’s Maxim who is afraid of the shadow. I loved it! In the end, she drives the story to its inevitable ending. Dark, dreamy, and pervasive. I read this book via my local library. Recommended. Paula Cappa is an avid book reviewer and an award-winning supernatural mystery author of novels and short stories. paulacappa.wordpress.com
Mrs. de Winter by Susan Hill ...
Beautifully written and so very satisfying. Susan Hill is the best ghost story writer ever (The Woman in Black). She has a gift that matches Hitchcock for suspense, insightful mind-bending, and atmospheric brilliance. Mrs. De Winter (sequel to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca) has a power that does not let you down. Loved the ending because it was so perfectly written and poignant. I felt like I was reading Daphne du Maurier the whole time. Hill remained true to the character of the new Mrs. De Winter in that, yes, the woman is overwhelmed with fear of Mrs. Danvers and the ghost of Rebecca, fear of life and all its shadows, a woman who makes all the wrong choices, but drives the story deeper to expose the despicable Maxim de Winter. While Maxim is a tad warmer than what he was in Rebecca, you still want to kick him down the stairs for his arrogance and cowardice. I have to disagree with most of the 1-star reviews that have faulted Hill for not giving Mrs. De Winter more spine and aggression. She’s not your modern woman using self-esteem for her fuel. Yet, she does find how to live in her own shoes. Does she grow? Yes, but not in the cliché way you might expect. More than “fan fiction” this story is a delicious return to the haunting and sadness that is the curse of Manderley. And how Mrs. De Winter’s innocence sparks the justice Maxim has coming to him. Now it’s Maxim who is afraid of the shadow. I loved it! In the end, she drives the story to its inevitable ending. Dark, dreamy, and pervasive. I read this book via my local library. Recommended. Paula Cappa is an avid book reviewer and an award-winning supernatural mystery author of novels and short stories.
paulacappa.wordpress.com
Mrs de Winter
Susan Hill