Hello again! This is only my second book review and already I have had such a great welcome to blogging, thank you to everyone who follows me 🙂
This book review is for a book that I believe is often overlooked and understated. With classics such as ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ constantly re-created in films and shows, I find it sad that this great book is often dismissed by literary critics.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier is a mysterious, Gothic romance which incorporates vivid, beautiful description with breath-taking action. The book is told from the point of view of a woman, who is never named. She marries a wealthy, older man named Mr de Winter. He has already been married once before to the mysterious Rebecca. She has now died, but still haunts Mr de Winter’s new wife and their house, Manderley, through the formidable housekeeper and Rebecca’s former friend, Mrs Danvers.
Mr de Winter’s new wife finds it difficult to fit into her new life at Manderley, married to a man who is as distant and mysterious as his late wife. She feels she must constantly deal with comparisons between herself and Rebecca.
With plot twists and action that only Du Maurier could come up with, this novel is great for anyone who loves mystery. With Cornwall acting as the backdrop for the whole novel it makes ‘Rebecca‘ a really atmospheric book.
I found this book a fantastic page-turner and it was the first book by Daphne Du Maurier that I had read at the time so I loved her style- the beautiful, scenic description mixed with constant plot twists and character complexities. It’s difficult to give an in-depth review for this book without giving away too many spoilers but it really is a brilliantly written book that keeps you hooked!
I love Daphne Du Maurier because she provides fantastic endings, and I thought the ending to ‘Rebecca’ was satisfying and well-written.
While this book takes a little bit to get into, it’s really worth it! There’s also a black and white Hitchcock film version of ‘Rebecca‘ which is fantastic.
What are you reading at the moment? What do you think of my review of ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier? Have you read anything by Daphne Du Maurier?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
I also really liked this book, and I feel as though many people fail to appreciate its beauty!
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I agree! I think it often is an understated book, as well as author! 🙂
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I haven’t read this yet, but planning to in at the end of the month! Hopefully I’ll enjoy it 🙂 x
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I think you will, I did! Don’t give up after the first few chapters as it takes a bit to get into it! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂 x
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It’s a super book! So well-written, engrossing plot, all of it! There is a very atmospheric film of the book, by Hitchcock. Have you watched it? Bronte
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I haven’t watched it yet, but I really want to 🙂 bet he makes it really atmospheric!
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I started watching it the other eve but was too sleepy – I am looking forward to delving in properly again!
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Haha, I really want to watch it! My mum’s a massive fan as well and she’s told me about it- love how he had to change the key part in the storyline because it was too ‘shocking’ 🙂
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Great review of a great book! I love du Maurier – she really manages to create atmosphere and tension. The film is brilliant – you must watch it soon! 🙂
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Thank you! Her atmospheric-ness is amazing!! I know, I really need to watch it! Have you read any other Du Maurier book?
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I’m going to listening to this audiobook soon. I hope it’s just as enjoyable on audio! This is my friend’s favorite book, so I’m reading it for her (:
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I really hope you like it, I really like listening to books on audio as well as reading them. Haha, I love it when friends can talk to each other about books. 🙂
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Du Maurier is one of my favorite author. I hope you will carry on discovering her work and you will enjoy it.
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Thank you Catherine! I love her work and have made my way through lots of it already! 🙂
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I love this book so much, and it always makes me happy when other people love it too!
I agree with you that the main character is pretty bland in comparison to Rebecca, though it’s of course intentional. I also really enjoy Mrs. Danvers. I think she is one of the most fascinating (and terrifying) characters in literature. 🙂
Have you had a chance to read any other of Du Maurier’s work? In my opinion, Rebecca is her best, though I’ve enjoyed her other books I’ve read too.
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I know it’s so great, love it! Mrs Danvers is such a great character to read about, I agree! Yes, I’ve read My Cousin Rachel and Jamaica Inn and loved Jamaica Inn so much! Which ones have you read? I think Jamaica Inn and Rebecca are equal in being the best for me! 🙂
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I’ve read both Jamaica Inn and My Cousin Rachel and really liked them, though I agree that Jamaica Inn was the better of the two!
I also read a short story collection called The Birds and Other Stories. I remember really loving it, though the only story I remember is the bird one.
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I really like Jem as a character and think the romance between Jem and Mary is brilliant, even wrote about then in a post love them that much 😉. Yeah, my mum and me both love Du Maurier so much and she’s read those short stories, said they were eerie but great!
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Completely agree – Rebecca is one of my all time favourites! Love the blog 🙂
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Glad you agree! It is a great book! Thank you so much, can’t wait to check out your posts!! 🙂
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