At last, I’ve managed to read a Daphne du Maurier book. This has been something I’ve wanted to do ever since I saw the statue of the Rook in Fowey, Cornwall during my travels.

This is a highly respected classic that was made into a film by Hitchcock in 1940 and a more recent adaptation on Netflix in 2020. I haven't seen either of these films yet, but now I can.

The story begins in Monte Carlo and then moves on to Cornwall at the fictional Manderley. These are two great locations to start the story. Set in the 1930s, the upper middle-class nature of the book gives it a Downton Abbey feel.

It was interesting to note that we never learn the name of the narrator of the story. She is only known as the second Mrs de Winter. Maybe this was a ploy by the author to emphasize her as a young, unsophisticated girl from a lesser class compared to Rebecca.

We have to feel for the narrator's shyness and lack of courage. However, the way the author wrote about her feelings was quite clever. She sort of knew what to do and say to some extent, but didn't have the conviction to follow through until perhaps later in the story when she had a moment of realization and came of age quickly.

The plot was intriguing, with several characters who you thought might influence the outcome. Once you reached the final third of the book, you just wanted to finish it immediately because it was that good.

I actually thought there was room for a sequel to this book and was surprised that nobody has considered it.

Overall, it is a brilliant and worthy classic. In my humble opinion, it is much better than Agatha Christie.

Oh my!

How I truly fell head over heels in love with this classic novel! I was completely smitten with the main protagonist. She was so well-developed as a character. Her constant ruminations and daydreams really set the perfect tone. It's an absolute delight to be inside her head, experiencing all her naive and neurotic thoughts. These thoughts often get carried away, making it a truly compelling read.

The story follows the main (unnamed) character when she moves to Manderley with her new husband. From the very beginning, she is acutely aware that she lives in the shadow of the former mistress of Manderley...Rebecca. Even though Rebecca is dead, her shadow seems to be everywhere. Her haunting presence becomes a terrifying nightmare for the new Mrs de Winter. The plot thickens beautifully, with a little twist added that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Oh, and how I adored the wonderful and vivid descriptions of Manderley. The dark, gloomy, gothic setting is so evocative. The slow and sinister mood that creeps in is just delicious. The ending, for me, was absolutely spot on. I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this book and now understand why it's considered such a classic! Five fun and creepy stars!!

Updated review after a reread in September/October 2020. Thoughts about the new movie at the end of the review.

If anyone has ever wondered where my love of creepy stories, gorgeous British estates and snarky Englishmen came from, one would have to look no further than Du Maurier’s classic novel. I think I snagged this one from my mother’s library when I was thirteen or fourteen and never gave it back. The way Maxim whisks his new bride off her feet seemed so romantic to my unexperienced teenage self. I had no idea back then that a memory can take more room in someone’s life than a flesh and blood presence. And that there are some things you should definitely, definitely tell your spouse…

A shy lady’s companion is staying in Monte Carlo with her obnoxious American employer. There she meets the mysterious and handsome Maxim de Winter, the recently widowed owner of a famous estate in Cornwall. To her great surprise, he proposes marriage and takes her back to his beautiful home, Manderley. But there, she is greeted by the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who adored the late Mrs. de Winter and makes it unambiguous that she thinks her new mistress does not belong in the house. Some rooms of which have been preserved almost like shrines to the memory of the titular Rebecca. Our heroine tries to understand what was so special about her predecessor, but the secrets she will unearth are not at all what she expected…

The beautiful house, the byronesque husband with a dark secret, the crazy housekeeper, the haunting presence of the other woman… Daphne Du Maurier clearly loved “Jane Eyre”. As I reread it, I found myself thinking that this novel might be the first and possibly most successful fanfiction in history. “Rebecca” is absolutely a Gothic novel in the Bronte’s tradition, as well as a psychological mystery of the finest kind. It’s still one of my favorite novels. I do have a weakness for a good Gothic story and cranky men, but I value good writing above genre, and “Rebecca” has some extraordinary writing! The atmosphere, suspense and images crafted by Du Maurier are spectacular and highly evocative! Not to mention the fascinating story and the clever narration.

One of the things that strikes me with "Rebecca" is that it really is about the Other Woman. The metaphorical ghost of Mr. de Winter's late wife takes so much space. Her influence is so obvious around the estate. Her memory and reputation are so omnipresent that she truly does haunt Manderley. There is nothing supernatural in this novel, and yet this is the story of how a dead person controls the living from beyond the grave. A flesh and blood mistress would not have the importance that this shadow commands over the life of all those who are under the roof of the grand old house.

Let’s be frank, it’s easy to dislike the nameless narrator. She’s such a hopeless daydreamer, a rather spineless wallflower. It can be hard to sympathize when she feels lonely and rejected because she never asserts herself. And she is way too eager to please her cold and mysterious husband Maxim De Winter. But the beautiful dream-like writing makes it hard not to fall along with her and feel like she (and you, the reader) got involved into something bigger and stronger than what she can reasonably handle. You begin to feel her anguish and confusion as the people around her all hint at things she doesn’t know, increasing her feeling that she simply doesn’t belong. But just like her, you become consumed with the need to find out what these people know that you don’t…

My recommendation is that you dive in along with her and devour this awesome and haunting novel. I don’t really think it’s romantic anymore. In fact, I find it hilarious that there was ever a version of me who thought this was a love story. But it’s still magnificent, complex and impossible to put down. Rereading it was a great pleasure. I had forgotten how beautiful and atmospheric Du Maurier’s prose was, and it also made me smile to realize how my love for this book had influenced my tastes, how it had become part of my reader’s DNA. If I had to take just a few books with me to a desert island, this one would definitely make the cut.

I’m going to have a little fit here about the movie. I do not know how to feel about it. Obviously, it doesn’t do the book any justice because so much of that narrator’s voice is conspicuously absent. And Ben Wheatley put a lot of emphasis on the “love story” aspect, which is an interesting choice. For instance, the movie’s Maxim is a lot closer in age to his new bride. It’s good because hot damn, this is serious eye candy. But it’s a little odd because the age difference made the new Mrs. de Winter naturally less experienced and more naïve. Was the age difference reduced because of the current paranoia about power dynamics in sexual relationships? Maxim may be a murderer, but at least he’s not twenty years older than his wife…? Shrug. So, no, it’s not Hitchcock. And no, Lily James is not Joan Fontaine, and Armie Hammer is not Laurence Olivier. Maybe my expectations were sky high because I loved Wheatley’s “High-Rise”, but I was expecting an atmosphere that I couldn’t feel. And I wonder how someone who has never read the book or seen another movie version would feel about this one. Seems a shame to make a movie of this arguably perfect story and the most memorable thing about it is the eye candy…

If by some strange twist of fate I found myself in Interstellar's tesseract, I might very well leave a coded message for my younger self to read Rebecca as soon as possible. My younger self, being less informed, was not deterred by overly sentimental narrators or the gender politics underlying the work. Her reaction to the book would likely have been more in line with the numerous glowing reviews on Goodreads and elsewhere.

Rebecca's saving grace is the author's decision to leave the young, immature bride of Maxim de Winter unnamed. However, everything else in the book failed to move me. The attempts to create a mysterious and spooky environment, the detailed descriptions of Manderley's interiors and gardens, the one-dimensional characters, and the uneventful plot progression all left me cold.

Rebecca, the former mistress of Manderley, was the only reason I continued reading. But even she is reduced to a vamp and denied her humanity. Her crimes, such as adultery and a domineering personality, are punished by a rather unjust fate.

Du Maurier's reluctance to develop fully realized characters and her sabotage of the concept of sisterhood only added to my disappointment. The protagonist's growth comes at the expense of Rebecca's character assassination, and a woman's murder is normalized under the guise of psychological provocation.

In conclusion, Rebecca may have had some literary merit five years ago, but I am now too jaded to appreciate it. Its mystery-horror-suspense elements and empty philosophizing no longer hold any appeal for me.

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. . . Nature had come into her own again and, little by little, in her stealthy, insidious way had encroached upon the drive with long, tenacious fingers. The woods, always a menace even in the past, had triumphed in the end.” These opening words are truly iconic in English literature. In her dream, the narrator recalls the serpentine drive, not in its beautiful and flowery state, but in a time of fear. Du Maurier masterfully描绘s both the beauty and terror of life at Manderley, never repeating herself in her vivid descriptions of the gardens, woods, clothes, and weather.

The narrator tells us how she came to be at Manderley. She was in Monte Carlo as the paid companion of Mrs. Van Hopper, a gossipy and name-dropping American woman. Their scenes together are quite amusing. Mrs. Van Hopper spots Maxim de Winter at the hotel and manages to get him to their table to pump him for gossip. He makes some sarcastic remarks that go over Mrs. Van Hopper’s head but are picked up by the young heroine, and Mr. de Winter seems to notice.

The next day, the heroine reflects on Mrs. Van Hopper. She describes her pig-like eyes darting to the neighboring table and her fork heaped high with ravioli, pausing mid-air as she talks about the “appalling tragedy” of Rebecca, Maxim’s drowned wife. Mr. de Winter sometimes appears stressed but seems to be seeking diversion. He is in his early forties, landed gentry, while the heroine is a naïve and unsophisticated girl in her early twenties. When Mrs. Van Hopper falls ill and is ordered to bed, Mr. de Winter invites the girl out to sightsee, and he clearly finds her refreshing.

She has fun and begins to fall for him. She discovers a book of his poems inscribed with “Max – from Rebecca, 17 May” in a curious slanting hand. The name Rebecca stands out, strong and tall, dwarfing the other letters. The poor girl is beside herself with grief when she thinks Mrs. Van Hopper will take her away to New York and she’ll never see Maxim again. She describes her youthful tears and the efforts to hide them in the morning.

The book blurb reveals that she marries and moves to Manderley. It’s hard to imagine any young woman making a place for herself in a manor house with staff, let alone measuring up to the glorious previous Mrs. de Winter. Our young woman also struggles. Max is kind and caring but distracted, and she feels he loves her absent-mindedly, like the dogs. Mrs. Danvers, the intimidating head of the household, constantly refers to Rebecca. The heroine finds odd rooms locked and others looking lived in, and doors and windows opened with drafts blowing through the halls. The characters are clear and wonderful, and the story is full of mystery and atmosphere. If you haven’t read this, you’re missing out!

"If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent."

When I was a very young girl, I read this novel and remembered it as a love story. Since I couldn't bottle up my memory like scent, I had this strange flavor of romance in my nose. I wasn't eager to smell it again as I had no interest in that kind of fiction at all. However, as life twists and turns, on a swelteringly hot and oppressive summer day, I felt compelled to reread it.

And to my surprise, I was captivated despite myself. What a magnificently intense psychological thriller this is! The main character is either the mansion, Manderley, or a woman who passed away a year before the narrative commences. Both the house and the heroine are shrouded in mystery. The young, unnamed narrator of the story has to painstakingly peel back the layers like an onion to reach the core of pain that lingers over her moody, taciturn husband and his peculiar entourage.

At times, the young lady grated on my nerves, being a bit like David Copperfield - too naïve to understand the story he tells himself. But Daphne Du Maurier, like Dickens, manages to pull it off. It works. And as the reader gradually learns to see the different interpretations of truth as seen by Maxim de Winter, Mrs Danvers, Mr Favell, Frank Crawley, etc., the story begins to resemble the masterpieces of dark entanglement by Du Maurier's predecessors. Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights come to mind.

As for the evil spirit of Rebecca, she has a worthy successor in Steinbeck's East of Eden. Cathy was the first female character to terrify me. She would have gotten along splendidly with the beautiful wicked witch of the West in Manderley.

It's a perfect scare for a hot summer night, with thunder and lightning looming over dry landscapes, maintaining the tension without breaking out in a relieving rain shower.

Like a fine wine!

Rebecca is a captivating tale. It's about Max de Winter, a widower who marries a young woman serving as a companion to a wealthy American. When the new Mrs. de Winter arrives at Manderley, her new home, she meets the household staff. But the ghost of Rebecca, the late Mrs. de Winter, still haunts the place, making the new Mrs. de Winter feel inadequate.

This book has a slow pace, yet I found it truly delightful. It's unique as it explores the complex emotions one experiences when entering a new relationship and having to deal with the memories and habits of the late wife. Mrs. Danvers is my new favorite villain! She was just perfect.

The author could have used a greater variety of words as Manderley was mentioned countless times. Also, the frequent use of the word "Mackintosh" made me curious. I discovered it's a long raincoat, and it's now back in fashion. So, if you have some extra money, you can dress up in one and imagine you're at Manderley.

For this reading, I tried immersion reading. There was a short conversation missing in the Audible version, but otherwise, the audiobook was enjoyable. Overall, Rebecca is an excellent example of modern gothic literature, perfect for those who love a slow-paced domestic thriller.

It's another book from the BBC's list of 100 Books to Read Before You Die.

2025 Reading Schedule
Jan - A Town Like Alice
Feb - Birdsong
Mar - Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr - War and Peace
May - The Woman in White
Jun - Atonement
Jul - The Shadow of the Wind
Aug - Jude the Obscure
Sep - Ulysses
Oct - Vanity Fair
Nov - A Fine Balance
Dec - Germinal

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“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” This famous first line of the novel Rebecca has endured for 80 years since its publication, remaining in print despite being initially mispromoted by the publisher as an “exquisite love story” (per the Afterward by Sally Beauman).

Daphne du Maurier always claimed her novel was a study in jealousy. Maxim de Winter’s first wife, Rebecca, lives on in spirit among the staff at Manderley as the true “Mrs de Winter”. His second wife, the narrator, remains unnamed and is only referred to as “Mrs. de Winter”.

The story begins at the end, with the second “Mrs. de Winter” in exile with her husband. Then we return to the start, where Maxim, a widower, meets and proposes to a naive woman young enough to be his daughter. He does so without expressing love and brings her back to Manderley, where she constantly compares herself to Rebecca.

I thought I knew the story from seeing part of the Hitchcock movie based on it. I’ve read about “Mrs. Danvers” (Danny), Rebecca’s devoted housekeeper who keeps her spirit alive and perpetuates her image as the perfect wife and hostess. I thought she was the ultimate villain, but I felt Maxim was worse. He married a younger woman, never showed love or intimacy, called her “child”, walked ahead of her, and did nothing when Mrs Danvers disrespected his new wife or set her up to fail.

When he reveals his truth, the new “Mrs. de Winter” meekly accepts it, and instead of being scared, she is happy? Relationships were different 80 years ago, but this is no love story. It is, however, a fascinating novel that used several narrative techniques, perhaps for the first time, setting a standard for gothic literature.

Rebecca continues to inspire conversations, articles, and other books. I read it simultaneously with “The Winters” by Lisa Gabriele to contrast and compare. Now I’m planning to read “Rebecca’s Tale” by Sally Beauman, which is officially approved by the du Maurier estate and continues the original plot, and is also considered consistent with Susan Hill’s 1993 sequel “Mrs de Winter”.

Gothic suspense is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this beautifully written book.

From the very first page, the author weaves a spellbinding tale that draws the reader in and refuses to let go.

The atmospheric setting, filled with dark shadows and mysterious corners, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

The characters are richly developed, each with their own secrets and motives that slowly unfold as the plot progresses.

There are moments of heart-pounding excitement, as well as tender and emotional scenes that tug at the reader's heartstrings.

This book is not just a work of gothic suspense, but a literary masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good story, beautifully told.

One of the best books I have ever read!

This timeless classic is truly a masterpiece. It skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, romance, and suspense, creating a captivating narrative that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

It is a gothic tale that explores the age-old theme of good versus evil. The characters are vividly drawn, and the setting is atmospheric and充满诡异.

The story unfolds with twists and turns that are both unexpected and satisfying. The romance between the main characters is touching and adds an extra layer of depth to the plot.

Breathtaking! This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery or romance. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

5 out of 5 stars.

'Rebecca' is a truly remarkable classic gothic novel that had been lingering on my TBR list for what felt like an eternity. For some unknown reason, I had never managed to pick up this highly lauded book. But then, finding myself in a bit of a reading rut, I decided to take the plunge and give it a go. And boy, am I ever glad that I did!

I approached this book with no prior knowledge, other than its status as a classic. I had no idea what to expect, but I naively anticipated a sweet and innocent love story similar to those penned by the Bronte sisters. However, while there was indeed a love story of sorts, it was far from what I had imagined. There was nothing innocent about this tale. It was filled with suspense and at times, downright creepy. There was an eerie sense of unease that permeated the entire novel. Despite being nearly a century old, its impact was not diminished in the slightest.

The story commences in Monte Carlo, where the wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, befriends a young paid companion of a rich, elderly social climber. When her shallow employer falls ill, the young lady, who remains unnamed, is invited to gallivant around Monte Carlo with Mr. de Winter. She is incredibly naïve and instantly falls head over heels for the older, influential man. When her employer regains her health and they are set to return to America, she is heartbroken. She seeks out Mr. de Winter to say goodbye, only to be presented with a shocking proposition. Happy for the first time since the death of his beloved wife, Rebecca, he proposes marriage. She accepts, believing that all of her dreams have come true. Little does she know what lies ahead.

After a rushed wedding, Maxim and his new wife return to his famous country estate, Manderley. It doesn't take long for the mood to turn dark. The second Mrs. de Winter feels like an imposter in her new home, constantly reminded of the beautiful wife who preceded her and was seemingly beloved by all. Mrs. Danvers, the head housekeeper, is all too eager to remind her at every opportunity that she will never be able to measure up. On top of that, Maxim seems like a different man at the estate. He is moody, withdrawn, and keeps her at arm's length. As she tries to navigate her new high-class lifestyle, which she is completely unaccustomed to, he can be almost antagonistic at times.

The longer she stays at Manderley, the more she realizes that things are not as they seem. Rebecca had secrets, and as the second Mrs. de Winter uncovers more and more, she begins to question what she has gotten herself into and what kind of danger lurks within the walls of Manderley. There is a major twist that I didn't see coming, but it didn't overly shock me. It changes everything and sheds new light on the mystery surrounding Rebecca's untimely death. The second Mrs. de Winter finally gets the answers to all of her questions, but she may wish that she had never dug up the truth.

Since I am primarily a romance reader, I did wish that the love story was a more central aspect of this story. I can't say that I ever truly believed that Mr. de Winter loved his second wife, or even lusted after her for that matter. I never felt a genuine emotional connection between the two, which made the story a little less enjoyable for me. However, overall, I still thought that this was a fantastic story. I was amazed by how easily it was able to transcend time and remain chilling and compelling today. It was a great choice to break out of my reading rut. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend this book. I've heard that the movie is also fabulous, so I plan to check it out in the near future.

They are not brave, the days when we are twenty-one. They are full of little cowardice, little fears without foundation, and one is so easily bruised, so swiftly wounded, one falls to the first barbed word.

For days, I have been visiting Manderley, and it has truly inhabited my thoughts and dreams. For the past several years, this book has been on my reading list. It was a book that my mother frequently thrust into my hands, insisting that I must read it. I had tried several times. Somewhere among my books, I have the old paperback copy that she had read and reread many times. I had planned to read it two years ago, and then again last year, but I finally opened the pages on the anniversary of my mother's birthday. I read this, and listened to the audio version as well, which was wonderful.

Rebecca is ever present in this story. Even if not physically there, her presence is felt throughout. From the decor of Manderley, the grand home of Maximilian de Winter, to Rebecca's portrait on the wall, along with the clothes she left behind. But Rebecca is gone as this story begins. Early on, de Winter's new, 21-year-old bride arrives with him to a new life, and to a very different lifestyle from the one she had previously lived as a paid companion. It is through her that we learn about life at Manderley and the story of Rebecca.

Most people are familiar with the opening line of this story: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Even before I read this, I could have easily quoted it on demand, much like Rhett Butler's "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" or Obi-Wan Kenobi's "May the force be with you." It's an iconic line, especially as it serves as an introduction to this story.

When they arrive at Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter receives a chilly welcome from Mrs. Danvers, who thoroughly disapproves of her. Mrs. Danvers' never-ending loyalty belongs only to Rebecca, the first Mrs. de Winter. Even without much interaction, you can feel the condescending tone and the dismissive nature of her responses to the new Mrs. de Winter. Mrs. Danvers' love and loyalty remain with Rebecca, whose presence is always felt.

Rebecca, always Rebecca. Wherever I walked in Manderley, wherever I sat, even in my thoughts and in my dreams, I met Rebecca. I knew her figure now, the long slim legs, the small and narrow feet. Her shoulders, broader than mine, the capable clever hands. Hands that could steer a boat, could hold a horse. Hands that arranged flowers, made the models of ships, and wrote “Max from Rebecca” on the flyleaf of a book. I knew her face too, small and oval, the clear white skin, the cloud of dark hair. I knew the scent she wore, I could guess her laughter and her smile. If I heard it, even among a thousand others, I should recognize her voice. Rebecca, always Rebecca. I should never be rid of Rebecca.

Even the grounds surrounding Manderley are described beautifully, with luscious, vivid detail, which I loved. "A lilac had mated with a copper beech, and to bind them yet more closely to one another the malevolent ivy, always an enemy to grace, had thrown her tendrils about the pair and made them prisoners."

There is something about this that was similar for me and brought to mind the overall tone of "Gone With the Wind" - the language, the dramatic nature of the story. I was surprised to find that they were written just slightly more than two years apart, and yet there is a timelessness to "Rebecca," whereas "Gone With the Wind" is undisputedly rooted to a particular time and place.

"Rebecca" is exquisitely told with an almost reverential sense of beauty, nature, human emotions, and some basic truths about life and love. It is one that will undoubtedly remain relevant through the ages, and one that will likely haunt me for some time.