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dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Violence
Minor: Cultural appropriation
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Dysphoria
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical content, Alcohol
Minor: Terminal illness, Cultural appropriation
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My god there is SO MUCH to unpack herešµāš«šµāš«
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide
Minor: Cancer
This one took me a couple of chapters before I got sucked into it, but wow, what a haunting, clever, gothic story.
The fact that the MC is never given a name really added to the story and the ending had me š¤Æ š
Note: There were a couple of problematic scenes, which I guess at the time wouldnāt have come across that way, but were cringe and uncomfortable to read in the modern day.
The fact that the MC is never given a name really added to the story and the ending had me š¤Æ š
Note: There were a couple of problematic scenes, which I guess at the time wouldnāt have come across that way, but were cringe and uncomfortable to read in the modern day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Minor: Incest
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
While this classic novel does have some elements that havenāt aged well, the overarching theme of the story has undoubtedly stood the test of time.
Frequently undersold as a āgothic romanceā, du Maurierās āRebeccaā is a masterclass in character work, suspense, and atmosphere. The titular character never appears or speaks a word throughout the novel but is so incredibly well written through the accounts of all the supporting characters that she stands out more than any of them.
The contrast of the headstrong and fiery Rebecca with the diminutive and awkward nameless narrator is one of the highlights of the book and a sharp take on the classic Madonna-Whore complex. Du Maurier manipulates her readers until the very end in to sympathising and hating the characters she wants us to despite their actions and motives, and asking us to consider what these feelings say about our own morality - after all, the truth doesnāt mean anything against a well crafted story.
Frequently undersold as a āgothic romanceā, du Maurierās āRebeccaā is a masterclass in character work, suspense, and atmosphere. The titular character never appears or speaks a word throughout the novel but is so incredibly well written through the accounts of all the supporting characters that she stands out more than any of them.
The contrast of the headstrong and fiery Rebecca with the diminutive and awkward nameless narrator is one of the highlights of the book and a sharp take on the classic Madonna-Whore complex. Du Maurier manipulates her readers until the very end in to sympathising and hating the characters she wants us to despite their actions and motives, and asking us to consider what these feelings say about our own morality - after all, the truth doesnāt mean anything against a well crafted story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Murder
Minor: Racism, Cultural appropriation
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Infertility, Cultural appropriation
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
daphne du maurier has become my writing INSPIRATION with this book. girl understands exactly how and when to leave me in suspense!! also sorry to my friend johnny for having to watch videos of me in shock due to this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder
Minor: Incest, Cultural appropriation
slow-paced
TL;DR: I have mixed feelings. I like the overall story, the atmosphere, I really enjoyed the first third/half, then it got way too slow, repetitive and boring. This review will be very negative despite my overall feelings. I didnāt hate the book at all I just have more to say about the negatives.
This is the most atmospheric book Iāve ever read, but imo itās to a fault. I like slow atmospheric books, and I really liked the writing in the beginning, but the long drawn out descriptions started to take away from the scene we were in and it got frustrating. It was obvious at times when it was being used to add suspense, drawing out the scene making you wait for a reveal or conversation to happen. Some people might like that, I found it irritating. Narratorās daydreams were funny and relatable at first, but again, got to be too excessive and were inserted at times that felt unnecessary or inappropriate. I found myself internally screaming at her to go talk to someone rather than sulk and daydream. The book overall is very slow, not much of the plot happens until the last 20%.
This book is so repetitive. Narrator has a lot of similar conversations and social interactions throughout the book. She has similar daydreams (too many daydreams), repeating thoughts, etc. Another annoying thing is something will happen or be said, and then the characters will talk about or explain the thing that we just saw happen. Sometimes multiple different characters will explain the same thing, so we end up reading about that same event or statement two or more times before we move on.. not to mention all the unnecessary
ā āYes,ā I said. ās
I hate Maxim. Of course this book isnāt a romance novel, and it was written over 80 years ago so the misogyny is not at all unexpected, but being as they remain a couple by the end itās irritating to me. Heās so patronizing and misogynistic towards Narrator from the beginning and it only gets worse later on. Frank had much better chemistry with Narrator, I didnāt feel like Maxim actually liked her at all, we hardly even saw them together. And the fact that he was so much older than her but also liked that she was young and innocent grossed me out.
ā āYes,ā I said. ās
I hate Maxim. Of course this book isnāt a romance novel, and it was written over 80 years ago so the misogyny is not at all unexpected, but being as they remain a couple by the end itās irritating to me. Heās so patronizing and misogynistic towards Narrator from the beginning and it only gets worse later on. Frank had much better chemistry with Narrator, I didnāt feel like Maxim actually liked her at all, we hardly even saw them together. And the fact that he was so much older than her but also liked that she was young and innocent grossed me out.
This book is very ableist, specifically towards people with intellectual disabilities.
On a less critical note (though still negative because itās depressing), I was surprised how much I related to Narrator with her social difficulties. I think the intention was that she was young and wasnāt used to all the social obligations of being a more well known person, but to me it read very similar to social anxiety or maybe even autism/adhd. She also had pretty intense insecurities and didnāt think very highly of herself (rejection sensitivity?), which honestly made me a bit sad while reading because I related to so much of it.
On a less critical note (though still negative because itās depressing), I was surprised how much I related to Narrator with her social difficulties. I think the intention was that she was young and wasnāt used to all the social obligations of being a more well known person, but to me it read very similar to social anxiety or maybe even autism/adhd. She also had pretty intense insecurities and didnāt think very highly of herself (rejection sensitivity?), which honestly made me a bit sad while reading because I related to so much of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Murder, Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Fatphobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Racism, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
Ageism. Minor spoilers related to the pedophilia and suicidal thoughts:Mrs Danvers is queer coded in her feelings towards Rebecca but itās stated that Mrs Danvers cared for her since Rebecca was a child. They also mention men being attracted to Rebecca when she was a child. Mrs Danvers suicide baits narrator and Narrator almost follows through. Youāre in Narratorās head in that moment.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So so good! It's best to go into the book knowing as little as possible, that'll help with the mysterious and thrilling feelings. In the British aristocracy everything is fine on the surface level, but if you keep peeling the onion, sooner or later it may even make you shed a tear or two. The psychological aspects of the late wife's shadow, Mrs. fucking Danvers and borderline grooming really made me feel on edge.
I KNEW THAT MANDERLEY WAS GOING TO BURN AT SOME POINT (hope mrs danvers went with the house)
i'd also like to know why it is so hard not to bang your cousin
i'd also like to know why it is so hard not to bang your cousin
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
Minor: Cancer, Incest, Suicide, Cultural appropriation
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Cultural appropriation