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waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first thing to know about getting into du Maurier's Rebecca is that the tension she creates is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. You really feel like you're living out the events of the book with the characters in real time.
The characters are all so messed up and maladnusted that you just don't know exactly what they're going to say or do. No one can truly be trusted; not even our dear, misbegotten narrator, whom we follow throughout.
The build up to each plot twist is harrowing. The anxiety in the characters and in the setting is palpable. The reason that u marked the book as a slow-paced read is because I often found myself slowing down or rereading passages to make sure I wasn't missing something potentially important. The action happens in fits and starts, keeping the reader on their toes. It is truly delightful and engaging read!
Additionally, Hitchcock's 1940 adaptation is incredibly faithful to the book, and I highly recommend it as well!
The characters are all so messed up and maladnusted that you just don't know exactly what they're going to say or do. No one can truly be trusted; not even our dear, misbegotten narrator, whom we follow throughout.
The build up to each plot twist is harrowing. The anxiety in the characters and in the setting is palpable. The reason that u marked the book as a slow-paced read is because I often found myself slowing down or rereading passages to make sure I wasn't missing something potentially important. The action happens in fits and starts, keeping the reader on their toes. It is truly delightful and engaging read!
Additionally, Hitchcock's 1940 adaptation is incredibly faithful to the book, and I highly recommend it as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Incest, Terminal illness, and Gun violence
sunfishcakes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sickos yes...ha ha ha....yes! dot jpeg
In all seriousness, if you liked Phantom Thread and/or Gone Girl, read this book.
In all seriousness, if you liked Phantom Thread and/or Gone Girl, read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism, Incest, and Ableism
Minor: Forced institutionalization
nicolinebl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
The first 150 pages were very hard, not much happened. It took me about a week to read those first 150 pages and the last 230 I read in less than a day! It turned into a very tense and intriguing story after that.
I must admit I have seen the newest movie version before reading the book. I was confused at the time what the genre was: at first it seemed like a romance, then a horror, then a thriller. In book form it did make a bit more sense.
There was a thing that kind of irked me the wrong way while reading; the very big age gap between the main character and Maxim. She's described as a young woman around 18-20 and he is around 45. There are several moments that he is described as someone who could be her father. I guess that might've been more normal when this book was published though? Still felt kinda weird.
I hated most characters in this book to be honest but the main character was likable - although I felt sorry for her. She felt a lot of anxiety about a lot of things (relatable, to be honest) and I feel like a lot of that could have been prevented if people in this book just talked to each other. Poor girl.
It was quite hard for me to read as it was old English and English isn't my native language either. I managed quite well though, I think. My English teacher would be proud.
I enjoyed it but think the first part could maybe have been a bit shorter.
I must admit I have seen the newest movie version before reading the book. I was confused at the time what the genre was: at first it seemed like a romance, then a horror, then a thriller. In book form it did make a bit more sense.
There was a thing that kind of irked me the wrong way while reading; the very big age gap between the main character and Maxim. She's described as a young woman around 18-20 and he is around 45. There are several moments that he is described as someone who could be her father. I guess that might've been more normal when this book was published though? Still felt kinda weird.
I hated most characters in this book to be honest but the main character was likable - although I felt sorry for her. She felt a lot of anxiety about a lot of things (relatable, to be honest) and I feel like a lot of that could have been prevented if people in this book just talked to each other. Poor girl.
It was quite hard for me to read as it was old English and English isn't my native language either. I managed quite well though, I think. My English teacher would be proud.
I enjoyed it but think the first part could maybe have been a bit shorter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexism, Suicide, Incest, and Infidelity
Minor: Dementia and Infertility
yolanda_h's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was so much more than I expected it to be. The writing is in turns melancholic, reflective, fast paced and then so descriptive that I could see the flowers and trees surrounding Manderley. I could hear the sea and I could taste the scones and angel cakes. I could feel the tension and the dark shadows inside Manderley, lurking in corners and nooks, and the shadows inside its inhabitants. Manderley will have a special place in my heart for some time, as will this book as a whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Gun violence
azurities's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A little slow to start, but once I hit about a third of the way through and started unraveling the mystery of Rebecca, I got sucked in and really enjoyed the rest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gun violence and Death
Minor: Suicide and Cancer
annietestin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Death, Suicide, Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Cancer, Infertility, and Gun violence
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