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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This book failed to meet my expectations. It was a moody, dark gothic read like I hoped, but was missing some complexity and mystery. The characters were especially like able (Mary was kind of blah to me) and the story seemed a little simply for what I’m used to from Du Maurier. It took me nearly six weeks to read, which I did not expect.
Daphne has a way of sneaking up on you. For me, at least, her characters remain inscrutable for a good portion of the book, and then, right when I start to silently, shamefully root for an ending I know is not good for any of the characters but somewhat romantic, she throws it in my face, screaming "Are you not entertained?", leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth, even though I kinda got what I wanted - maybe *because* I got what I wanted and not what I needed, or the other way around, I don't even know.
All I do know is that Daphne du Maurier writes masterfully about her heroine's moral conflict and her own troubles with who she is attracted to, with religion and individuality. Jane Eyre comes to mind, but Daphne, probably thanks to her time, can write much more directly about this.
This book is very different from Rebecca with regards to the plot and the heroine and her development, but of course the atmospheric writing she is so famous for is present in both novels. I recommend this just as much.
All I do know is that Daphne du Maurier writes masterfully about her heroine's moral conflict and her own troubles with who she is attracted to, with religion and individuality. Jane Eyre comes to mind, but Daphne, probably thanks to her time, can write much more directly about this.
This book is very different from Rebecca with regards to the plot and the heroine and her development, but of course the atmospheric writing she is so famous for is present in both novels. I recommend this just as much.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
adventurous
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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rebecca is such an amazing book that I keep thinking all of du Maurier's other novels must be just as great. Sadly, they don't seem to be. My Cousin Rachel was good. Frenchman's Creek was a huge embarrassment - simply awful. Jamaica Inn is just meh.
It's billed as a suspenseful romance. I figured out the real bad guy of the suspense plot as soon as he was introduced. So yeah, not so suspenseful.
As for the romance - cue retching sound. Just terrible! I guess because the book was written in 1936, temporary lust had to be portrayed as love? Honestly, I couldn't even see how Mary could lust after Jem, the way he was portrayed. He's a sociopath. He's creepy as hell. He's mean to his mother. He probably drowns kittens & kicks puppies & pushes nice old ladies into mud puddles. His loutish behavior negates any thoughts of sexy time for me. I don't get it. Every time I read a scene with the two of them, my lip curled back and I made a face like I was watching someone take a dump on the floor of a restaurant. Horrified and grossed out. Not the reaction a romance is looking for, I presume.
Dang, another disappointing du Maurier novel. Do I dare risk trying another one or was Rebecca an anomaly?
It's billed as a suspenseful romance. I figured out the real bad guy of the suspense plot as soon as he was introduced. So yeah, not so suspenseful.
As for the romance - cue retching sound. Just terrible! I guess because the book was written in 1936, temporary lust had to be portrayed as love? Honestly, I couldn't even see how Mary could lust after Jem, the way he was portrayed. He's a sociopath. He's creepy as hell. He's mean to his mother. He probably drowns kittens & kicks puppies & pushes nice old ladies into mud puddles. His loutish behavior negates any thoughts of sexy time for me. I don't get it. Every time I read a scene with the two of them, my lip curled back and I made a face like I was watching someone take a dump on the floor of a restaurant. Horrified and grossed out. Not the reaction a romance is looking for, I presume.
Dang, another disappointing du Maurier novel. Do I dare risk trying another one or was Rebecca an anomaly?
I picked this up with no idea that it's actually a classic. I thought piracy type stuff and romance? Fuck yes. This was a surprisingly good book as it isn't actually something I would normally read but it was well written, funny and witty, and Mary was a really good characters. All her characters were super well rounded, with the bad guy having glimpses of humanity, and the good guy being surprisingly dark. Really good book.