brekekeks_'s review
4.0
Pomimo doprowadzenia mnie do białej gorączki przez Filipa i Rachele to 4 gwiazdki bo to Daphne du Maurier i ona wie co zrobić żeby czytelnik chciał dowiedzieć się co stanie się na końcu. No i nie byłoby 4 gwiazdek gdyby ta wnerwiająca baba nie dołączyła do grona nieboszczyków hehe
thegothiclibrary's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
My favorite Daphne du Maurier novel after Rebecca.
See my full review: https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/my-cousin-rachel-review-more-daphne-du-maurier/
See my full review: https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/my-cousin-rachel-review-more-daphne-du-maurier/
moonpix's review against another edition
5.0
The perfect read for this time of year. This is the gothic at its best, for she uses the trappings of genre not to simplify the world though exaggeration but rather to emphasize the ambiguity of real life. (And in this novel specifically, the ambiguity of desire in a society poisoned by misogyny). I really admire her commitment to this project; it shows that she trusts her reader enough to give them the responsibility of sitting with a lack of surety. The circularity of the final sentences could not be more fitting, for as Philip considers his similarities to the hanged man we consider our similarities to Philip (and Rachel), and the subjectivity of the characters endlessly refracts onto the subjectivity of the reader.
karaklos's review against another edition
5.0
My Cousin Rachel was such a fun read. Suspenseful and atmospheric, DuMaurier had me guessing from beginning to end and I’m still not sure I know what happened exactly.
Phillip Ashley is the incredibly immature and idiotic main character. As an unreliable narrator, DuMaurier cleverly plants little seeds of doubt through him that make the reader question everything.
Cousin Rachel seems so sinister but portrayed through Phillip’s lens, it’s unclear if she truly is evil.
This is not a fast-paced book. DuMaurier takes her time slowly revealing bit by bit, slowing down and quickening up the pace very strategically. Everything is ambiguous and odd. Modern things occur in a time when candles light the way and everyone travels by carriage (Phillip takes a daily bath and spends time alone with Rachel in her boudoir).
Beautifully written with weather, light, and landscape setting the scene. The open ending is disturbing but intriguing. I really enjoyed it.
Phillip Ashley is the incredibly immature and idiotic main character. As an unreliable narrator, DuMaurier cleverly plants little seeds of doubt through him that make the reader question everything.
Cousin Rachel seems so sinister but portrayed through Phillip’s lens, it’s unclear if she truly is evil.
This is not a fast-paced book. DuMaurier takes her time slowly revealing bit by bit, slowing down and quickening up the pace very strategically. Everything is ambiguous and odd. Modern things occur in a time when candles light the way and everyone travels by carriage (Phillip takes a daily bath and spends time alone with Rachel in her boudoir).
Beautifully written with weather, light, and landscape setting the scene. The open ending is disturbing but intriguing. I really enjoyed it.
martacorreia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rosh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
s4r1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookscoffeeandpassion's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
It's a classic, so I expected it to be slow. But this was even slower than what I expected.
However, the mystery kept me interested and the gothic vibes were great.
I really liked the ending!
However, the mystery kept me interested and the gothic vibes were great.
I really liked the ending!
s4r1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
combatbabie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting