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A review by stavoosh
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
My face when I finished this book... priceless.
We follow an unnamed narrator who serves as a young companion to a bitter old woman and falls in love with the mysterious Manderley estate owner, Maxim de Winter. From the beginning, she compares her "gaucherie" to his late wife, Rebecca's, sophistication. The story unfolds as the narrator tries to find her place in Manderley and has trouble taking on the role of a wife and lady of the house because of her inexperience and their large age gap.
Daphne du Maurier is a talented writer. The setting of Manderley seems to come right off the page and the motifs/symbolism interwoven throughout the setting is worth the read. I know that she actually based the setting on an estate she rented, which is obvious with how the descriptions seem cinematic.The introduction to Manderley through a dream played like a movie in my head. The obsession with Rebecca and becoming this woman that is bigger than life- a manic pixie dream girl, if you will- was also handled really well.
Although the book begins with the aftermath of the story, reaching the end after a long journey almost reinforces the surprise. I can completely understand how this is a gothic classic. I think heavy critique of this book fails to consider that it was published in 1938 and therefore, it has thrilling aspects that are creepy but not as freaky as they would've been had it been written today. I did find it boring at times and lacking the seed of mystery that usually carries you through a thriller. If I hadn't known this book had a creepy factor to it, the gothic aspect would've completely gone over my head until the <i>window incident</i>. The story definitely picked up the pace towards the last third and had me coming up with crazy theories(and tbh some of my theories would've been better than what actually happened... but again, 1938!!!) . Last thought- I would not categorize this as a romance... their relationship is nothing to fawn over. It added to the thriller vibes more than anything.
Would definitely recommend, especially to people who prefer subtle thrillers that aren't too explicit and are more creepy than scary. Also the writing is study-worthy!
We follow an unnamed narrator who serves as a young companion to a bitter old woman and falls in love with the mysterious Manderley estate owner, Maxim de Winter. From the beginning, she compares her "gaucherie" to his late wife, Rebecca's, sophistication. The story unfolds as the narrator tries to find her place in Manderley and has trouble taking on the role of a wife and lady of the house because of her inexperience and their large age gap.
Daphne du Maurier is a talented writer. The setting of Manderley seems to come right off the page and the motifs/symbolism interwoven throughout the setting is worth the read. I know that she actually based the setting on an estate she rented, which is obvious with how the descriptions seem cinematic.
Although the book begins with the aftermath of the story, reaching the end after a long journey almost reinforces the surprise. I can completely understand how this is a gothic classic. I think heavy critique of this book fails to consider that it was published in 1938 and therefore, it has thrilling aspects that are creepy but not as freaky as they would've been had it been written today. I did find it boring at times and lacking the seed of mystery that usually carries you through a thriller. If I hadn't known this book had a creepy factor to it, the gothic aspect would've completely gone over my head until the <i>window incident</i>. The story definitely picked up the pace towards the last third and had me coming up with crazy theories
Would definitely recommend, especially to people who prefer subtle thrillers that aren't too explicit and are more creepy than scary. Also the writing is study-worthy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Suicide attempt