Scan barcode
A review by ojtheviking
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
3.25
I was looking for recommendations for classic Gothic novels, and this one popped up in one of them. I knew very little about the author beforehand, so I blindly gave it a try, and ultimately, I don't regret it.
The description I stumbled across promised elements of thriller and suspense. In the beginning, I didn't see too much of that, but the narrative has a few, shall we say, changes of pace and tone along the way, where these elements finally emerge. Some aspects of the story might be clichéd nowadays, but back in 1938, I can very well see this book captivating its readers greatly.
Not that it was disappointing prior to that, of course. The writing is consistent, and there are other forms of conflicts and dilemma that gets you invested in the main character early on, with the young, unnamed main character marrying a wealthy widower and being very spontaneously thrown into a life she's not accustomed to.
The beginning of this book could have set the tone for a standard romance novel. But then, the way it switches from her awkwardness and attempts at settling into her new life, to a scenario where she may be facing a type of sabotage, before the story morphs once again to suddenly add the elements of thriller and suspense, it keeps you interested from start to finish. It got me thinking that this could probably be a nice plot for a suspenseful movie back in the day, and sure enough, it was adapted into one of Alfred Hitchcock's earlier films.
It also seems that there are a handful of sequels not written by du Maurier herself, but approved by her estate. These were also written in much more recent times, between 1993 and 2001. I'm conflicted as to whether I should check them out or not. Perhaps one day.
Regardless, as I do want to read the occasional classic now and then, it's nice to be able to check this one off my list, and I found it a pleasant read overall.
The description I stumbled across promised elements of thriller and suspense. In the beginning, I didn't see too much of that, but the narrative has a few, shall we say, changes of pace and tone along the way, where these elements finally emerge. Some aspects of the story might be clichéd nowadays, but back in 1938, I can very well see this book captivating its readers greatly.
Not that it was disappointing prior to that, of course. The writing is consistent, and there are other forms of conflicts and dilemma that gets you invested in the main character early on, with the young, unnamed main character marrying a wealthy widower and being very spontaneously thrown into a life she's not accustomed to.
The beginning of this book could have set the tone for a standard romance novel. But then, the way it switches from her awkwardness and attempts at settling into her new life, to a scenario where she may be facing a type of sabotage, before the story morphs once again to suddenly add the elements of thriller and suspense, it keeps you interested from start to finish. It got me thinking that this could probably be a nice plot for a suspenseful movie back in the day, and sure enough, it was adapted into one of Alfred Hitchcock's earlier films.
It also seems that there are a handful of sequels not written by du Maurier herself, but approved by her estate. These were also written in much more recent times, between 1993 and 2001. I'm conflicted as to whether I should check them out or not. Perhaps one day.
Regardless, as I do want to read the occasional classic now and then, it's nice to be able to check this one off my list, and I found it a pleasant read overall.