Reviews

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

juniperluvie's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

5.0

amandalyn's review against another edition

3.0

I had a hard time connecting with this novel honestly. I really enjoyed the writing, but sometimes it just dragged so much in certain places, focusing on unnecessary parts, which made the parts that had weight feel rushed in comparison. I enjoyed the plot and the ending a lot, but the was just a lot that I didn’t really think added to the novel.

novabird's review against another edition

3.0

“.. boredom is a pleasing antidote to fear.”

A not entirely dull, early modern version of a ghost story where what we leave behind leaves no supernatural after effects and instead leaves behind psychological consequences. As a popular gothic novel this one didn’t work for me as well as I thought it would. The suspense was curtailed by the obvious survival of both of the de Winters II. Even the tension of unacknowledged love between them in their first stage of marriage was presented as something that would eventually be overcome, so the apprehension that Mrs. De Winter experienced as a young new bride that their marriage would dissolve lacked substance.

Instead it was Mrs. Danvers who embodied the tension of Manderley. Mrs. Danvers held the underlying conflict between the ingénue Mrs. De Winter and the cold-hearted Mrs. De Winter under her control. Here the relationship of the three women can be seen in this passage, with Mrs. De Winter II represented by lilac, Mrs. De Winter I symbolized by copper beech and Mrs. Danvers. found in the ivy:

A lilac had mated with a copper beech, and to bind them yet more closely to one another the malevolent ivy, always an envy to grace, had thrown her tendrils about the pair and made them prisoner.”

The occasional gothic atmospheric elements of fog, heavy rain and thunder, were, I should say, rather unfortunately counterbalanced by the lush descriptive writing of du Maurier, that was very nicely done with vivid and lasting images of landscapes with trees and flowers as well as interior settings.

The haunting elements were found in held secrets, withheld knowledge and silence was the most evident hint of an antagonist who though dead and entirely off-stage, Rebecca, managed to convey a sense of power over the characters.

I found this more psychologically aware than thrilling. In comparison to, “Romance of the Forest,” in which I experienced a slight tingling sensation of fear, “Rebecca,” does not even come close to causing any similar occasion of shivers. However, it did, I think perhaps, open up the Gothic convention to more abstract developments. 3.25

blueglowinglight31's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

nicola323's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

critisighs's review against another edition

emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

bebina's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kittynoell's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

madamecashew's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dreaminthepages's review against another edition

5.0

This was an exceptional read and I flew threw it! It gave me goosebumps all the way and part of that was to do with the fact it was told in the first person narrative but also Manderley definitely gives big, isolated haunted house vibes even though the story was set in the summer. Mrs Danvers also gave me the creeps and chills - a truly well-written character. There was also a lot of depth to the main character and I found it so fascinating

Spoiler

how her husband compares her to Alice from Alice in Wonderland (its so fitting especially with her innocence, youth, naivety, meekness and constant daydreaming scenarios)

.

This stories mystery and plot twists were excellently executed and I was definitely at the edge of my figurative seat the whole time I was reading the last few chapters.

I really appreciated the afterword by Sally Beauman as it reflected my thoughts perfectly as well as providing more details. You can also easily read between the lines of Daphne du Mauriers thoughts when reading this story.

This is definitely going to remain a classic for years to come! I cannot wait to read more of her novels!