Rebecca
Daphne du Maurier
first published 1938
386 pages
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This post contains my general thoughts on reading Rebecca…but there are also a few spoilers for both Rebecca and Jane Eyre. You have been warned. And if you’re not sticking around and you haven’t read this yet (yes, Andi, I’m talking to YOU), what the hell are you waiting for???
Okay, onward and upwards. There will be no summary, since the movie has made this so famous. Not that I’ve seen the movie. Also…did you know Hitchcock’s The Birds was based on a short story (or was it a novella?) that du Maurier wrote? I didn’t. Although I have seen that movie. And consequently, masses of chirping birds can be a little freaky (hey, I live in a seaside town in California with lots of seagulls…it’s easy for you to laugh from the safety of your landlocked home).
Anyhoosie, I digress. As usual.
So I had read that Mrs. Danvers (the housekeeper) is a spectacular villainess…she even made it on to a list of top baddies in literature. Which meant that I ended up being disappointed in Mrs. Danvers. While she obviously adored Rebecca (aka wife #1) and didn’t care a whit for our unnamed narrator (aka wife #2), I expected her to be more malevolent, especially at the end. Yes, she’s responsible for that disastrous moment at the costume ball, but I kept waiting for a discreet little push down the stairs. Or something. You know, more like this. Although…did she set the fire? Hmmm…
Still. I loved the book. The writing is gorgeous and Manderley so atmospheric and our narrator such a meek little mouse (until suddenly she wasn’t) and it all combined to make for a wonderful read. It’s also very evocative of Jane Eyre, with the mysterious first wife (I kept expecting Rebecca to jump out of the attic) and the fire and the housekeeper (although they were very different) and the living happily ever after in sort of misery part. And the assi-ness of both Rochester and Maxim (aka the tight-lipped husband), who both treat the narrators like children. Plus, I was surprised to discover the truth about Rebecca. Who knew she’d end up being such a bitch? That was pretty cool (not the fact that she was a bitch, but the fact that du Maurier made her such a bitch…does that make sense?).
Also…there is this: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
Sigh. That’s right up there with “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink” for favorite first lines. Which is from Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle, if you were wondering.
I am so glad you liked this one! I didn’t consider Miss Danvers to be very malevolent either (love that word!). I do think I am due for a re read though because the details are very fuzzy to me.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Fates Will Find Their Way
I just skimmed this review as this is a book that I really want to read, and have been looking forward to for some time. It sounds like it’s a gothic masterpiece, and that you really loved it! I hope I feel the same.
zibilee´s last [type] ..Alice Bliss by Laura Harrington 320 pgs
SO GLAD you enjoyed this book! Yes, I could see how it would be expected Mrs. Danvers would be more evil, but she was straight up bitchy just like Rebecca. Ugh, the two of them, drove me nuts. Maxim just loved his control over his new wife, the jerk. I know I’m supposed to like him a bit, but I really didn’t.
Andi really should read this…..
Natalie ~ the Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..First Chapter, First Paragraph
Everyone is reading this now, after all these years! I must read it!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “Grant’s Final Victory” by Charles Bracelen Flood
and don’t you get a kick out of people who think this is a silly romance?!??!?! I am always flabbergasted – I have heard it more than thrice. boggles.
Care´s last [type] ..Thoughts on the ‘Thon
For years, I thought this was a romance so I avoided it like the plague. This sounds like a book I’d like.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: Love Times Three
***Spoilers in my ravings*** I read this for RIP two years ago for the very first time. Danvers is subtly awful and creepy (and I am guessing, a closet lesbian who had a thing for Rebecca). It is like her menacing spirit is more threatening that anything she actually does. Just her presence, you know? And wife #2 needs a good bitch slapping. Oh who cares if you murdered someone? I’m just happy that you love ME!
Sandy´s last [type] ..Heart and Soul – Kadir Nelson
I still can’t think of Rochester as assy in any way.
And honestly, I never even related these two books until I heard about the possible connection months after reading Rebecca. So I’m glad that while it may be a retelling, it’s not SO close to the original that it feels like a copy. That’s the best way to do it!
I thought Mrs. Danvers was creepy. Especially in that scene where she nearly gets #2 to jump.
Amanda´s last [type] ..The Name of the Star, by Maureen Johnson
I loved this book! I actually just watched the Alfred Hitchcock version of the movie on YouTube in case you are interested!
Kailana´s last [type] ..Friday Reads – 15th Edition and Week in Review (38)
I so very much love this story. And I haven’t seen the movie either – bad film teacher. Bad.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Monk
I feel like EVERYONE has read this book, or some other book by Daphne Du Maurier. And I have read nothing by her. I am not sure why this is, but I am sure it’s a flaw on my side and nothing at all lacking on Du Maurier’s. This month seems the perfect one to read/watch Rebecca! Sadly, I am reading a different creepy novel to finish off the month instead – The Picture of Dorian Gray. I hear that’s quite good, too, though, so Daphne will just have to wait.
Aarti´s last [type] ..[TSS] Interlude: The Voynich Manuscript
I’m glad that I walked into this book not really knowing what it was about. Interestingly (or stupidly?) enough…I read this and Jane Eyre within a month or two from each other and NEVER tied them together until I heard everyone else doing so. *palm to forehead*
christina´s last [type] ..Blood Magic
I thought Mrs Danvers was plenty creepy in the book, but it’s the Hitchcock movie where she’s a truly spectacular villianness. There are some truly chilling scenes there!
Teresa´s last [type] ..Song of Susannah (Dark Tower #6)
I am glad you said where that other line came from because I didn’t know!
One day I will watch the movie of this one. Loved the book.
Marg´s last [type] ..Coming Soon: The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White
Can you believe I read this in college thinking it was new release because they’d slapped a fresh cover on it? I loved it though! I should probably reread it at somepoint!
Amused´s last [type] ..Book Review: The First Husband
I never read this book but it sounds like nice..I think i might buy this..I want to have one…Thank you for sharing!
nicole´s last [type] ..fabric window awnings
Ahhh, this book. I can never get enough of rereading this book. It is so good every time I return to it, it always exceeds my memory of it. And that first line is perfect for the tone of the book.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Review: River of Smoke, Amitav Ghosh
THANK YOU! For calling out Andi that is. Seriously, what is wrong with that girl?
Geez louise but I loved this book. I need to reread it, soon.
Also…there is this: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
Ditto sigh.
Glad you finally got around to Rebecca. A favorite of mine. And so is Jane Eyre. I know I first read Jane Eyre when I was in about 4th grade and I think I read Rebecca when I was in junior high but definitely by the time I graduated high school. You do the math, I don’t want to know how many years ago that was. Reread both many times. And wife #2? Ugh.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Thursday Tea: All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
My book club did a double meeting for this one. First we discussed the book, then got together the following week to watch the movie. Of course, we all loved it… I want to read it again!
JoAnn´s last [type] ..A Literary Friendship: Henry and Edith
I think I should try to read this book. It seems interesting! hank you for sharing your review.
FelipeG´s last [type] ..dog training
I remember liking this book a lot when I read it as a teen. It is definitely a novel that leaves you wondering.
I love Jane Eyre and have since I read it in high school, but when I listened to this one a few years ago I wasn’t that excited about it. Maybe one of these days I should try to read it.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Three Junes, by Julia Glass
This is one of my all time favourites. “I dreamed of Manderly again last night.” I don’t know why that line makes me feel the way it does, it just does. The movie was great too.