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fraggerbot's review against another edition
2.0
Buddy read with mina and selina.
2.5 stars.
Rebecca is like that painfully long, boring journey you make to that much hyped destination. Its dreamy narrator, elaborate descriptions tired me enough that by the time I reached the interesting parts, there is no energy to care about it. This just didn't work for me.
I have mixed feelings about Rebecca. I saw that most of my GR friends have loved this book and I hoped I will love this too. But I was wrong. I guess this is one of the cases where the book is just my kind of book. If not for my buddies, I would have left it half-way as I was almost at the brink of hitting a reading slump.
*** Spoilers for Rebecca beyond this point ***
The first of the book is filled with vivid descriptions of the Manderley estate (that I didnt care about beyond a point), and our unnamed dreamy, imaginative narrator. This was very difficult for me to read and push myself through due to lack of substance. The middle part is somewhat better than the first, but is still bland with our narrator fitting into Rebecca's shoes. The last part, is the interesting part of the book with a good amount of suspense. But it ends up being predictable, for a current generation mystery/thriller reader.
Rebecca is basically Amy Dunne of 1930s. If have watched/read Gone Girl, you get the idea. For a dead character, I got to say she's got the biggest influence on our narrator. I am glad that our narrator is nameless, for I dont know how many times I would have cursed her through out. I have to say her growth from a child-like girl in the beginning to someone who tries to get a handle of things by the end, is well done. However, her dreamy imaginations are what irked me and made hate her. The below meme sums it up, its just that our narrator's imagination is much wilder.
Maxim is that husband who carries his dark secret, while trying to seem everything is okay. Beatrice is that sister-in-law who is good natured, but too direct with her (sometimes annoying) questions. Mrs. Danvers is that creepy house-keeper you see in spooky movies. Favell is that guy who seems like a flirt and you kind of hate him, but if not for him, the whole last part is just non-existent. The only character that felt 'normal' was Frank, who is kind to our narrator and loyal to Maxim till the end.
The book has some creepy moments.. Below are a couple involving our narrator and Mrs. Danvers.
For me, Rebecca is that book which ticks a couple of boxes, but misses most of them. Considering how much everyone loved it, my thoughts should not be taken too seriously before anyone picks up this book. If someone loves vivid (lengthy) descriptions, detailed narration, this book might be for them. Just not my kind of book.
2.5 stars.
Rebecca is like that painfully long, boring journey you make to that much hyped destination. Its dreamy narrator, elaborate descriptions tired me enough that by the time I reached the interesting parts, there is no energy to care about it. This just didn't work for me.
I have mixed feelings about Rebecca. I saw that most of my GR friends have loved this book and I hoped I will love this too. But I was wrong. I guess this is one of the cases where the book is just my kind of book. If not for my buddies, I would have left it half-way as I was almost at the brink of hitting a reading slump.
*** Spoilers for Rebecca beyond this point ***
The first of the book is filled with vivid descriptions of the Manderley estate (that I didnt care about beyond a point), and our unnamed dreamy, imaginative narrator. This was very difficult for me to read and push myself through due to lack of substance. The middle part is somewhat better than the first, but is still bland with our narrator fitting into Rebecca's shoes. The last part, is the interesting part of the book with a good amount of suspense. But it ends up being predictable, for a current generation mystery/thriller reader.
Rebecca is basically Amy Dunne of 1930s. If have watched/read Gone Girl, you get the idea. For a dead character, I got to say she's got the biggest influence on our narrator. I am glad that our narrator is nameless, for I dont know how many times I would have cursed her through out. I have to say her growth from a child-like girl in the beginning to someone who tries to get a handle of things by the end, is well done. However, her dreamy imaginations are what irked me and made hate her. The below meme sums it up, its just that our narrator's imagination is much wilder.
Maxim is that husband who carries his dark secret, while trying to seem everything is okay. Beatrice is that sister-in-law who is good natured, but too direct with her (sometimes annoying) questions. Mrs. Danvers is that creepy house-keeper you see in spooky movies. Favell is that guy who seems like a flirt and you kind of hate him, but if not for him, the whole last part is just non-existent. The only character that felt 'normal' was Frank, who is kind to our narrator and loyal to Maxim till the end.
The book has some creepy moments.. Below are a couple involving our narrator and Mrs. Danvers.
“This was the nightdress she was wearing for the last time, before she died. Would you like to touch it again?” She took the nightdress from the case and held it before me. “Feel it, hold it,” she said, “how soft and light it is, isn’t it? I haven’t washed it since she wore it for the last time.”
She pushed me towards the open window. I could see the terrace below me gray and indistinct in the white wall of fog. “Look down there,” she said. “It’s easy, isn’t it? Why don’t you jump? It wouldn’t hurt, not to break your neck. It’s a quick, kind way. It’s not like drowning. Why don’t you try it? Why don’t you go?”
For me, Rebecca is that book which ticks a couple of boxes, but misses most of them. Considering how much everyone loved it, my thoughts should not be taken too seriously before anyone picks up this book. If someone loves vivid (lengthy) descriptions, detailed narration, this book might be for them. Just not my kind of book.
kcsu's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve wanted to read this book for many years, but ended up reading Du Maurier’s other book, My Cousin Rachel first. I will probably be an anomaly by preferring her lesser known work to this one. I found it much more captivating and thought-provoking.
martyrbat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Bullying, Incest, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol
smaver's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daines's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
dzaxxe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
It was honestly an amazing read… worth the wait, I want to go back to the person I was before and read it again to experience the shock once more <3
dzulik's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
ambiemmm's review against another edition
5.0
i fear this is my new favorite book and i will not be able to shut up about it... it’s now everyone’s problem
for anyone attempting to read it, i know it's a slow start but it is so worth it!
for anyone attempting to read it, i know it's a slow start but it is so worth it!