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laurataylor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Infertility
damitajo's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer and Domestic abuse
visorforavisor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s been years since I read du Maurier’s classic, Rebecca, and it’s still just as good — better, even.
The tension in the story, the alluring kindness of Maxim de Winter, and the fact that his past with Rebecca is getting in the way of him expressing his true affections to his young bride are simply fantastic to read. The pace of the story is very slow but somehow the pages just flew by. It doesn’t feel as though the book is as long as it is (well over a hundred thousand words, I believe). The characters are varying degrees of relatability: personally I see a lot of myself in our nameless narrator, and I love Frank Crawley; Beatrice is the kind of bumbling, filterless person I really like; and Maxim does try, bless him.
Oddly, despite the inevitable historical language, I actually didn’t mind the portrayal of the “idiot”, Ben. The acknowledgement that people do abuse and manipulate us (mentally disabled people), and make threats that nobody would ever believe have been made, felt good. The simple fact, too, that he is a nice person was wonderful. For 1938 it’s good!
The intrigue and mystery surrounding the late Rebecca de Winter is one of the best tension-fuelled factors in any book. For more or less the entire story, our narrator is motivated by her desire to live up to Rebecca and what she represented, even just in the estimation of Maxim; I think that she could take or leave people like the bishop’s wife. As we find out more and more about Rebecca and how universally adored she was, our picture of her becomes clearer — and the periodic reminders that she died by drowning make us feel sicker.
I remembered the reveal from the last time I read this (about six years ago), but it was still so bloody good. The suspense, the heightened emotions, the tightly-strung importance of that scene: they were so strong, just like the scent that our narrator finds on Rebecca’s things.
Maxim’s behaviour is dubious, and he is careless. I don’t think, however, that he is the abuser that some would have painted him as. He is emotionally disconnected and hasn’t done a lot of the work that he should have. I think, though, if we claim he’s manipulating his second wife, we remove her agency. She knows he’s a shitty person. Her decision (which it is) to still love him makes her interesting (as well as considerate, I think, given the circumstances of why he did what he did). He treats her badly sometimes, out of what I believe is carelessness and emotional trauma from having been abused, but he also treats her well when he realises what her problems are. They’re both absolutely dreadful communicators, and — don’t get me wrong — he could have been a lot nicer about the whole dress thing. But I think some people could do with remembering that men can be abused too.
The tension in the story, the alluring kindness of Maxim de Winter, and the fact that his past with Rebecca is getting in the way of him expressing his true affections to his young bride are simply fantastic to read. The pace of the story is very slow but somehow the pages just flew by. It doesn’t feel as though the book is as long as it is (well over a hundred thousand words, I believe). The characters are varying degrees of relatability: personally I see a lot of myself in our nameless narrator, and I love Frank Crawley; Beatrice is the kind of bumbling, filterless person I really like; and Maxim does try, bless him.
Oddly, despite the inevitable historical language, I actually didn’t mind the portrayal of the “idiot”, Ben. The acknowledgement that people do abuse and manipulate us (mentally disabled people), and make threats that nobody would ever believe have been made, felt good. The simple fact, too, that he is a nice person was wonderful. For 1938 it’s good!
The intrigue and mystery surrounding the late Rebecca de Winter is one of the best tension-fuelled factors in any book. For more or less the entire story, our narrator is motivated by her desire to live up to Rebecca and what she represented, even just in the estimation of Maxim; I think that she could take or leave people like the bishop’s wife. As we find out more and more about Rebecca and how universally adored she was, our picture of her becomes clearer — and the periodic reminders that she died by drowning make us feel sicker.
I remembered the reveal from the last time I read this (about six years ago), but it was still so bloody good. The suspense, the heightened emotions, the tightly-strung importance of that scene: they were so strong, just like the scent that our narrator finds on Rebecca’s things.
Maxim’s behaviour is dubious, and he is careless. I don’t think, however, that he is the abuser that some would have painted him as. He is emotionally disconnected and hasn’t done a lot of the work that he should have. I think, though, if we claim he’s manipulating his second wife, we remove her agency. She knows he’s a shitty person. Her decision (which it is) to still love him makes her interesting (as well as considerate, I think, given the circumstances of why he did what he did). He treats her badly sometimes, out of what I believe is carelessness and emotional trauma from having been abused, but he also treats her well when he realises what her problems are. They’re both absolutely dreadful communicators, and — don’t get me wrong — he could have been a lot nicer about the whole dress thing. But I think some people could do with remembering that men can be abused too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Incest and Suicide
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
magellen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Whenever I read this book I'm just like dang did the ADHD/autistic girlies in 1938 feel seen.
Oh poor sweet HELLA adhd Mrs. DeWinter - it is so deeply amusing to read this book, with her being "embarrassed for them because they didn't have the sense to" and her intense rejection sensitivity disorder and all her wild conjectures and anxiety.
This is such a fantastic book in the gothic catalogue and a classic of twisty overlapping story. Its ableist and racist in places in line with shitty white moneyed people of the era.
Young wife, husband twice her age, giant estate and a malicious housekeeper. Lots of secrets. Lots of miscommunication haha
Oh poor sweet HELLA adhd Mrs. DeWinter - it is so deeply amusing to read this book, with her being "embarrassed for them because they didn't have the sense to" and her intense rejection sensitivity disorder and all her wild conjectures and anxiety.
This is such a fantastic book in the gothic catalogue and a classic of twisty overlapping story. Its ableist and racist in places in line with shitty white moneyed people of the era.
Young wife, husband twice her age, giant estate and a malicious housekeeper. Lots of secrets. Lots of miscommunication haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Grief, Bullying, and Infidelity
Minor: Suicide, Racism, Murder, Mental illness, and Alcoholism
oceanwriter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For some reason, I never wrote a review for this book when I first read it in 2016... not uncommon at this point in my life but I've been regarding it as one of my all-time favorite books since then. Nothing has changed the second time around. I opted to listen to the audiobook this time. Initially, I just wanted a comfort read to help me fall asleep. That didn't work so much. I was only reminded how much I love this story. There's so much I identify with and the suspense is unmatched.
What gets me most with the book is the narration. We never learn the second Mrs. de Winter's name, and yet, it's so intimate with her every thought and emotion surrounding each event. We watch from grow from a shy and timid companion to a strong and unabashed wife of a tormented widow. Then of course there's Mrs. Danvers who is perhaps my favorite antagonist of all-time — book, stage, or screen. Her presence is as haunting as Rebecca's memory, and yet there is something so human about her that you can't help but sympathize.
Between the original film and the two subsequent mini-series (as well as a musical), I have almost every bit of this story memorized and still the twists hold up. The tension continues to build up to the very end. Listening to it on audiobook made it a new experience with an old friend.
What gets me most with the book is the narration. We never learn the second Mrs. de Winter's name, and yet, it's so intimate with her every thought and emotion surrounding each event. We watch from grow from a shy and timid companion to a strong and unabashed wife of a tormented widow. Then of course there's Mrs. Danvers who is perhaps my favorite antagonist of all-time — book, stage, or screen. Her presence is as haunting as Rebecca's memory, and yet there is something so human about her that you can't help but sympathize.
Between the original film and the two subsequent mini-series (as well as a musical), I have almost every bit of this story memorized and still the twists hold up. The tension continues to build up to the very end. Listening to it on audiobook made it a new experience with an old friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Incest
anntharai's review against another edition
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
5.0
I put off reading this for a long time, but the audiobook came accross my Libby app front page and the sample convinced me.
I loved it.
I don’t care, I know it’s cliche to be a moody nerd goth bitch and love Rebecca but I don’t care.
It’s creepy, it’s anxiety inducing, it’s full of horrible people - but I can see it. I can see Manderley, I can see the cove, I can feel the eyes from the shadows watching me and I love it.
I loved it.
I don’t care, I know it’s cliche to be a moody nerd goth bitch and love Rebecca but I don’t care.
It’s creepy, it’s anxiety inducing, it’s full of horrible people - but I can see it. I can see Manderley, I can see the cove, I can feel the eyes from the shadows watching me and I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gaslighting, Death, Abandonment, Suicide, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
jessthanthree's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Classism, Incest, Infidelity, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
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
3.0
I came for the Byronic hero and was deeply disappointed, our main character was lame af and the only interesting character is dead (and in love with her cousin?) everyone sucked and not in the good morally gray kinda way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Incest and Terminal illness
yggie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The last few months I’ve mostly been reading sweet, silly, easy books, and I didn’t realize I had actually missed slow, meandering, thoughtful prose. This was so well written, that even if it made me wildly uncomfortable, I still wanted to read on. My goodness, what an intense book.
I thought Maxim was a dick, and he should not have married our nameless heroine. There, I said it. My heart ached for her most of the time, and he deliberately let her suffer because he adored the lost, helpless look on her face. When she finally had to find her own strength because of the shit he pulled, he had the nerve to tell her she lost that endearing quality he had loved so much. Not cool, Maxim, not cool.
To be honest, not a great choice to read if you’re rather depressed and painfully eager to please the people around you, unless you’re in therapy and really up for some serious practice.
I thought Maxim was a dick, and he should not have married our nameless heroine. There, I said it. My heart ached for her most of the time, and he deliberately let her suffer because he adored the lost, helpless look on her face. When she finally had to find her own strength because of the shit he pulled, he had the nerve to tell her she lost that endearing quality he had loved so much. Not cool, Maxim, not cool.
To be honest, not a great choice to read if you’re rather depressed and painfully eager to please the people around you, unless you’re in therapy and really up for some serious practice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
sir_ren's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Rebecca does a really good job of capturing that young-and-inexperienced-person-in-the-world vibe in the protagonist. the feelings that arise out of being in this relationship with a partner significantly older and with his own past haunt our protagonist, as she feels inadequate in several ways for the role she has agreed to play.
the gothic romance elements and the premise immediately reminded me of Jane Eyre, and this book seems to be in conversation with that one- exploring possibilities and different angles. so definitely try this one out if you have read Jane Eyre and enjoyed it and even if you didn't - it is interesting to observe how two authors treat this kinda situation in their books and in their age. so heightened emotion and drama are to be expected with gothic romances and some moments in Rebecca, especially towards the beginning feel straight out of a cheesy movie. but it is still a good read, I promise. even the rare instances of humour in the book do not feel dated - it did make me laugh. if you've enjoyed hearing about the dynamic in Taylor Swift's Tolerate it, you will likely enjoy reading about the relationship in Rebecca.
don't let the fact that this is a classic make you put off reading this book. since it is a more modern classic the writing style and story feel perfectly fine. the writing in this book... oh man, the author uses language beautifully and you can really feel the shift in writing from her regular prose to the parts where she enhances it for achieving a special effect on the reader. you will probably read them again and again.
the gothic romance elements and the premise immediately reminded me of Jane Eyre, and this book seems to be in conversation with that one- exploring possibilities and different angles. so definitely try this one out if you have read Jane Eyre and enjoyed it and even if you didn't - it is interesting to observe how two authors treat this kinda situation in their books and in their age. so heightened emotion and drama are to be expected with gothic romances and some moments in Rebecca, especially towards the beginning feel straight out of a cheesy movie. but it is still a good read, I promise. even the rare instances of humour in the book do not feel dated - it did make me laugh. if you've enjoyed hearing about the dynamic in Taylor Swift's Tolerate it, you will likely enjoy reading about the relationship in Rebecca.
don't let the fact that this is a classic make you put off reading this book. since it is a more modern classic the writing style and story feel perfectly fine. the writing in this book... oh man, the author uses language beautifully and you can really feel the shift in writing from her regular prose to the parts where she enhances it for achieving a special effect on the reader. you will probably read them again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Gun violence and Murder