Reviews

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

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lostinabookworld's review against another edition

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mysterious 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

2.75

starzzz's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book has so many twists and turns that made my stomach feel uneasy throughout. Not in a horror sense, but in a gut-wrenching “I want everything to work out” way. Our nameless main character was although naive, such a realistic portrayal of what it is like to fall in love young.

libraryofdreaming's review against another edition

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5.0

I've been meaning to read Rebecca for absolute ages, but because it wasn't on the Kindle and my hands weren't feeling up to attacking the hardback, I hadn't read it. Until now when I had the brilliant plan of getting the audiobook instead! And boy, am out of practice listening to audiobooks! 12 hours of focused listening? So much harder than it used to be...

Anyway, I really enjoyed it! Because I had seen the movie first, I saw the plot twists coming from a mile away. Which was unfortunate, because it made the first half equal to watching a train wreck! *sigh* But I absolutely adored the writing! Daphne du Maurier is the kind of author I want to be when I grow up! Manor house and all! :) Her descriptions and setting were just delicious! I was especially in awe of the way she used small talk (the conversations that other authors would skip over) to portray a feeling of discomfort and awkwardness. While the nameless narrator/main character did get on my nerves a bit with her passivity during the first half, I still sympathized with her shyness and her introverted nature. Maxim... I'm not even sure what I think about him. Definitely not my ideal man! Mrs. Danvers was a very fascinating character, I wish we had seen more of her.

Spoiler

I'm still musing over the open ending. Did Mrs. Danvers set the fire like in the movie? Was it an accident? Was it divine retribution for Maxim's crime? I don't know, but I like the puzzle!

Oh, I could go on and on about the beautiful writing! I want to quote all of it! *_* I think Rebecca has officially gone on my favorites list! Now I want to read more of Daphne Du Maurier's work, and possibly a biography on her as well. She seems to have had a fascinating life.

One more thing, Rebecca reads almost like a warning against that classic dream of marrying a lord and getting a manor, but I must say, it only made me want it more! Yes to the manor house, please. Maxim de Winters need not apply, however.