Reviews

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

cgkrewson's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

4.5


ana6454's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

What a great introduction to classics which I have barely any experience in. So eery, full of suspense as you follow our narrator in an unfamiliar environment which characters who may not have her beat interest at hand.

sayjay's review against another edition

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5.0

that book was insane and also one of the best things i’ve read this year

marlenereads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Die Prämisse dieses Buches hat sich sehr spannend angehört. Eine nicht wirklich paranormale, aber doch unheimliche Geistergeschichte, gepaart mit Mystery. In der Realität hat der Gruselfaktor bei mir allerdings nicht wirklich gegriffen. Der Schreibstil ist nämlich sehr direkt, macht Dinge etwas zu offensichtlich. Allerdings baut er so auch eine interessante Atmosphäre auf, denn Rebecca spielt im Sommer auf einem weitläufigen Anwesen, einem riesigen Herrenhaus umgeben von Wald und Meer. Die zahlreichen Schilderungen dessen lassen einen wirklich eintauchen, und übermitteln eine paradoxe sommerlich-angespannte Stimmung. 
Ehrlich gesagt habe ich die erste Hälfte vor allem als Metapher fürs (Ehe-)Frau-Sein und (soziale) Ängste gesehen, und mit dieser Interpretation konnte mich die relativ ereignislose Handlung doch mitnehmen. In der zweiten Hälfte wurde es dann spannender, wenn auch nicht völlig unvorhersehbar. 
Alles in allem ist dieser Roman sehr ruhig, für Grusel oder Spannung würde ich ihn also nicht lesen. Und auch nicht für sympathische Charaktere, denn besonders aus heutiger Sicht konnte ich weder Maxim noch die Protagonistin leiden, und besonders ihre „Liebesgeschichte“ nicht. Allerdings sind die Figuren trotzdem irgendwo interessant, und so hatte ich trotz der Kritikpunkte eine gute Zeit beim Lesen und kann das Buch durchaus empfehlen.

sky130's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

ghiblies's review against another edition

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4.5

November 2023 - BBC Radio 4 dramatisation:

Rebecca is one of my all time favourite classics, if not my favourite, and as preparation to see Rebecca the musical last weekend, I thought I'd listen to the BBC Radio 4 dramatisation since I find them to be faithful and generally well-executed adaptations. I wasn't let down - this was just the refresher I needed before the musical (which I loved by the way).

The only reason this adaptation isn't 5 stars (the original book is 5 stars no question), is that I've always thought Manderley was pronounced 'Mander-lee' as opposed to 'Mander-lay'. It was such a small thing that actually became quite jarring each time it was said, which was very often lmao.

danielle67's review against another edition

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3.0

“I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.”

Good spooky vibes, and very atmospheric with luscious writing! Hard to believe this was written 85 years ago.

“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.”

(I probably would have enjoyed this more if I hadn’t seen the movie/if I didn’t know what was coming!)

emilykeogh23's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

jenn_h's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25

evelykink's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75