Reviews - Rebecca | The StoryGraph

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19.3k reviews for:

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier

4.23 AVERAGE

pezzium's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

moni31's review against another edition

4.25

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

naomizinggg's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious relaxing tense

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

pbraue13's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-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: Yes

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”

This is a gothic masterpiece that has more than earned its place as a classic of the genre. While I’ll admit that some passages can feel like a bit of a slog, what makes this novel endure is the atmosphere that Du Maurier weaves so richly and vividly. From the looming presence of Manderley to the ghostly memory of Rebecca herself, the novel drips with lush detail and suspense that makes it such a fun and immersive read.

As a gothic romance, it’s unparalleled in the way it balances mystery, melodrama, and psychological tension. Du Maurier knows how to create a setting that feels alive, almost as much a character as the people in the story. The young narrator’s insecurities, Maxim’s brooding presence, and of course, the unforgettable Mrs. Danvers all circle around each other in a haunting, slow-burn dance of obsession and dread.

It’s no wonder that Alfred Hitchcock adapted the novel into one of his most iconic films. The imagery on the page translates beautifully to the screen, capturing the foggy English coast, the grand decay of Manderley, and the brooding tone that makes the story unforgettable. Mrs. Danvers, in particular, comes to life in the adaptation with a chilling, almost otherworldly energy that makes her even more queer-coded and fascinating than in the novel.

“Rebecca” remains a testament to Du Maurier’s mastery of mood, tension, and atmosphere, a novel that lingers with you long after the last page, like the memory of Manderley itself.

Content Warnings

bigjess's review against another edition

Keeping the narrator nameless, smothering her identity and putting her firmly, forever in Rebecca’s shadow—oooo what a potent narrative trick! I felt true embarrassment when I realized I didn't know our main character’s name. I flipped thru the pages, thinking I hadn’t paid attention. Like when a smiling, familiar face at a party hits you with “It’s so good to see you again!!” and you panic, drawing a blank.

I began to think of (the second) Mrs. de Winter as ‘Dolly’ because Rebecca reminded me of Jolene. Like in the song, you are captivated by this *other* woman. Rebecca was obviously a manipulative bitch, but her life accentuates the misogynistic double standards of the time. An impulsive philanderer, who partied too much, drove too fast, and generally behaved selfishly, yet somehow held the respect of her peers—how many men lived like that, or worse? Rebecca and Max weren’t married for love. More likely, it was a socially and financially strategic union, with the expectation that Max would get the better end of the bargain (as men so often did!) Though she was cruel, Rebecca carved a life for herself in what could’ve been a very oppressive dynamic.

Maxim is truly villainous. He too used people and seemed incapable of expressing (or feeling?) love, but let’s not forget—he’s also an actual murderer!! He expected Rebecca to conform to his needs, to be malleable and weak. Makes sense that he ended up re-marrying a naive girl half his age.

Anyway, I loved this. It’s such a perfect example of gothic literature, and I especially loved spending time in our narrator’s head with all her intricate fantasies and anxieties. The tone, the tension, the dread 👌 I wonder if I would’ve felt a speck of empathy for Rebecca if I’d read this when I was 21….