The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! ๐
meh697's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Murder, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Racism, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Gun violence, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Classism, Incest, and Infidelity
Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, Medical content, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Infertility
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall, Rebecca was a very enjoyable read and I am glad I (finally) read it. I can see the influence that du Maurier has had on modern Gothic literature, and I fully understand the love for this novel.
For those of you who've read it, I have one question: do you also kind of hate Maxim? I see him as a snobby misogynist who never really improved.
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, Murder, and Gun violence
vaughanreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall, my engagement with Rebecca was middle of the road. I was noticeably more immersed in the second half of the book.ย
In the first half, my interest lulled with all the descriptions of Manderly and its surroundings. Whereas the investigative nature of the second half really pulled me in!
๐ป Language = 3
Daphne du Maurier definitely utilised suitable for her time. Personally, reading it today, and having no background in English Academia, it took a few sittings to get into that gear. HOWEVER, once that initial barrier was negotiated, I had a pretty easy time of it. ๐
๐ต Plot = 4
I loved the plot points of this story. It's dark, mysterious, inquisitive, quite offensive at times ๐ (see characters), and had a fantastic final act that completely hooked me! If you're a fan of the murder mystery genre, this is totally for you!
๐ฅ Characters = 5
Maxim de Winter is a monolith of a character within this story! Revered by the bourgeois in Monte Carlo but adored by his latest fiancรฉ, Max can seemingly do no wrong. The first few scenes show him as perfect to "Mrs de Winter's" eyes. This is then challenged by certain acts - the main being his proposal. Throughout the middle of the story, he just seemed like an asshole with a sprinkle of misogyny. The end portion really put Max in a new light and I grew to appreciate him a lot more!
The new Mrs de Winter, for she actually has no given name, is another fantastic character. She realises early on that the idyllic husband didn't exist in Max and her life in Manderly was made rather uncomfortable by his efforts. I'm glad that she hardened in these conditions and blossomed into a proper lady of her own estate.
๐บ Re-Read = 4
I would happily re-read this book again. Certain issues upon the first read would likely be ironed out much quicker on second viewing.
Minor: Murder and Gun violence
arayo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Infidelity, and Incest
Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, Cultural appropriation, and Dementia
lauramcc7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Suicide, Incest, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship
ravenpuff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Minor: Racism, Suicide, Cancer, Gun violence, and Infidelity
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
"I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end."
WARNING: unpopular opinion ahead!!
I've been meaning to read Rebecca for years now, and after I saw one of my favorite books of 2023 The Hacienda being compared to this classic I decided to not wait any longer and finally pick it up. I had high hopes for this story, as I do love a good gothic thriller... But in the end I guess it wasn't ment to be. I know that the fact that I've been struggling with a reading slump might have been part of the problem, but I can't look past the fact that it took me eleven! days to finish reading a book that would usually only take me a day or two. I was warned of the slow start, and I definitely agree with that warning. I'm not sure if I would have continued reading if it hadn't known about the slow start, because the beginning is rather dull and tedious. Things do improve when the couple arrives at Manderley, and there are some clever twists and developments along the way. Sadly, I found the second Mrs. de Winter to be such a frustrating character to deal with though; having to spend so much time inside her head only made it more difficult to fight that slump and pick up my copy of Rebecca. The fact that she is basically a human doormat and lets everybody walk all over her became SO annoying, and she never fully redeemed herself for me. I did appreciate the descriptions of Manderley and the general gothic feel of the plot, but it wasn't enough to properly enjoy this story. I still might try a reread at some point to see just how big of a role the reading slump played when it comes to my reaction to this classic...ย
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Animal death, Violence, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Ableism
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Alcoholism
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Pregnancy, Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Blood, Cancer, and Fire/Fire injury
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Classism
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Infidelity, Body shaming, Sexism, Murder, Ableism, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence