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desiderata829's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
jenni_elyse's review against another edition
3.5
I really enjoyed Rebecca. The story was very suspenseful and intriguing. The unnamed heroine reminded me of how I’d act or feel if I were in her situation, so she was quite relatable for me which helped me like the story even more. There were also a few twists that added to the depth of the story and caught me off guard. SpoilerI thought it was quite interesting that the end of the story is actually the beginning. After all the drama was over, I re-read chapter 1 so I could read about the main characters during a happier, less stressful time, if you could call it that.
The edition of the book I read actually had the original epilogue with it. Because the name of the heroine’s husband was changed, it was not included as part of the story. In fact, in this edition, Daphne du Maurier explains she rewrote the epilogue into the first couple of chapters of the book. I enjoyed reading the epiloque because it included a few details the published version didn’t.
The edition of the book I read actually had the original epilogue with it. Because the name of the heroine’s husband was changed, it was not included as part of the story. In fact, in this edition, Daphne du Maurier explains she rewrote the epilogue into the first couple of chapters of the book. I enjoyed reading the epiloque because it included a few details the published version didn’t.
apple0loving0shinigami's review against another edition
5.0
In the voice of the narrator I recognized so many women. To me, Du Maurier's "Rebecca" is the most feminine book that I've ever read. It's incredibly fascinating, how women's mind (particularly the narrator's) works. I was intrigued by her thoughts and saddened at the same time. She should have spoken out. She should have talked to her husband, Maxim, about the abuse and ridicule that she was facing daily. I see this in many women. They don't communicate their problems, they are afraid to talk to their partners about things that seriously harms their mental health. She chose to carry her burdens on her own.
Another thing that really saddens me and angers me is how (some) women are constantly in competition with other women. They have to compare themselves to other girls all the time. The narrator lived with that mindset, "his ex-wife was better than me". Comparing yourself with his exes, crushes, or other women in general is wrong and incredibly harmful to yourself. The narrator suffered because of Rebecca, the imagine, the idea of Rebecca. She suffered because people compared her to Rebecca. She was thrown into the competition. She didn't choose that. If only she had talked to her husband. If they had only communicated truthfully with each other, the narrator's suffering would be non-existent.
Another thing that really saddens me and angers me is how (some) women are constantly in competition with other women. They have to compare themselves to other girls all the time. The narrator lived with that mindset, "his ex-wife was better than me". Comparing yourself with his exes, crushes, or other women in general is wrong and incredibly harmful to yourself. The narrator suffered because of Rebecca, the imagine, the idea of Rebecca. She suffered because people compared her to Rebecca. She was thrown into the competition. She didn't choose that. If only she had talked to her husband. If they had only communicated truthfully with each other, the narrator's suffering would be non-existent.
shepthedog's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
being in the main character’s head was painful. none of the characters are likeable and being stuck with the pov of the most insecure and obsessive of them wasn’t enjoyable
but i get the vision—the book is about rebecca (whom we actually never see) and how her life/death has affected the people who are around and have come after her. having the story told through the second mrs de winter who becomes obsessed with her was a fitting technical choice and makes the book hold up to multiple re-readings.
in short, main character bland as hell, dead wife is full of character and is the one we can’t stop thinking about.
ps—taylor swift says tolerate it was inspired by this book, but to be honest… i don’t really see the tolerating. but! if you told me my tears ricochet was about the main character from rebecca’s pov, i’d believe it 100%.
but i get the vision—the book is about rebecca (whom we actually never see) and how her life/death has affected the people who are around and have come after her. having the story told through the second mrs de winter who becomes obsessed with her was a fitting technical choice and makes the book hold up to multiple re-readings.
in short, main character bland as hell, dead wife is full of character and is the one we can’t stop thinking about.
ps—taylor swift says tolerate it was inspired by this book, but to be honest… i don’t really see the tolerating. but! if you told me my tears ricochet was about the main character from rebecca’s pov, i’d believe it 100%.
nellienix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cmb44's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
rach88's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved the ending
nataliestorozhenko's review against another edition
5.0
I watched a movie before reading this book a long time ago and it was kinda “meh” for me. However, I later heard a lot of good things about the book and decided to give it a try. The huge gothic mansion, creepy vibes, and beautiful scenery with a lot of lush plants and flowers. But because I had a vague memory of the movie I still had a “cross off the TBR list” attitude towards this book. At first, it seemed like the book was going to be boring with long descriptions of scenery. However, after reading around 50 pages, I realized that I was wrong. It didn’t even feel like a classical novel, it unexpectedly became the book I sacrificed my sleep for. The book was relatable and made me cry. I felt both sad and amused at the narrator's naivety and silliness. It also made me angry at how women were expected to behave and conform to men's expectations portrayed in Rebecca's rage through the blazing piles of Manderley.
It would be much simpler if the book was just a gothic romance, where we follow a couple deeply in love trying to overcome the ghosts of their past and thrive in their marriage. The age difference between them would add to the forbidden love element, making it an interesting read. However, that's not what this book is about. Daphne du Maurier has perfectly captured the struggles of women in a world dominated by men with their unreasonable expectations. Both the nameless narrator and Rebecca are two sides of the same coin, and their stories are tragic and relatable.
As we follow the story of the nameless narrator, also known as our second Mrs. de Winter, it's hard not to feel compassion for her. Although I usually feel annoyed by characters that overthink, I can't help but sympathize with the FMC. Her character was captured perfectly, including her fear of being overshadowed and compared to a powerful presence, and her vivid imagination of worst-case scenarios that may never happen. Her jealousy and fear are understandable. Although she claims that her naive love matures after going through trials, it doesn't happen in reality. After discovering the "truth", which was Max's exaggerated POV, she easily becomes compliant and doesn't seem to have any doubts. Her questionable morality is revealed by her concern not about what her husband did, but rather the fact that he did not love Rebecca. She is easily manipulated to stand beside him just by hearing those magic words she longed for. I appreciated the afterword, which mentions that she came full circle, starting as a companion and servant to an old woman and ending up as a companion in exile to the soon-to-be-old man. If you only read this as a gothic romance, you might be angry about the lack of passion and the sad ending. However, the ending is fair, as it is the result of poor choices and karma for both of them.
Rebecca is undoubtedly the main character in this book. In the beginning, her strong personality might make you angry and feel like justice, peace, and love are needed for the new Mrs. de Winter. However, as the story progresses, you learn that Max's POV about her is very suspicious. You never find out why she became unhappy in her marriage or why she sought companionship from someone else. Her husband describes her as a liar and a promiscuous woman, but even after learning this, it's unclear why she deserved to be killed. Rebecca is a badass character who kicks everyone's ass even in her death. She knew what Max was capable of and knew how to push his buttons. Even though she has been deceased for over a year, she still manages to get her revenge from beyond the grave by burning the most precious thing to him - Manderley.
At last, we meet Max. He's yet another man who, after being resented by a gorgeous, capable, and talented woman, and not being able to control her, decided to kill her instead. Criminal records are full of such men. He easily manipulates, lies, and keeps secrets from his new wife. You can clearly see that his affections and passion reach their peak only during the crucial moment when he desperately needs her support. Life in exile and the loss of his precious home are punishment enough for him. His wife's story about their new life is not one of much happiness and passion; they're forced to live in boredom, childless, switching from hotel to hotel just burning the days away.
*And I have to admit, in the book, Max is somewhat hot (probably because I was picturing Tom Hiddleston from “Crimson Peak”, but never mind). He's a bad, bad man, but it doesn't hurt that he's attractive.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are complex and display conflicting emotions, which adds depth to the story. The book can be interpreted in different ways, and you can discover something new every time you read it. The plot is unique and flows seamlessly. It hits you with suspense exactly where you need it, making it impossible to put down the book. It's definitely one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it to everyone. It's a perfect example of a haunting gothic novel that is frightening not because of fictional eerie ghosts or creatures, but because of its realism and relatability.
It would be much simpler if the book was just a gothic romance, where we follow a couple deeply in love trying to overcome the ghosts of their past and thrive in their marriage. The age difference between them would add to the forbidden love element, making it an interesting read. However, that's not what this book is about. Daphne du Maurier has perfectly captured the struggles of women in a world dominated by men with their unreasonable expectations. Both the nameless narrator and Rebecca are two sides of the same coin, and their stories are tragic and relatable.
As we follow the story of the nameless narrator, also known as our second Mrs. de Winter, it's hard not to feel compassion for her. Although I usually feel annoyed by characters that overthink, I can't help but sympathize with the FMC. Her character was captured perfectly, including her fear of being overshadowed and compared to a powerful presence, and her vivid imagination of worst-case scenarios that may never happen. Her jealousy and fear are understandable. Although she claims that her naive love matures after going through trials, it doesn't happen in reality. After discovering the "truth", which was Max's exaggerated POV, she easily becomes compliant and doesn't seem to have any doubts. Her questionable morality is revealed by her concern not about what her husband did, but rather the fact that he did not love Rebecca. She is easily manipulated to stand beside him just by hearing those magic words she longed for. I appreciated the afterword, which mentions that she came full circle, starting as a companion and servant to an old woman and ending up as a companion in exile to the soon-to-be-old man. If you only read this as a gothic romance, you might be angry about the lack of passion and the sad ending. However, the ending is fair, as it is the result of poor choices and karma for both of them.
Rebecca is undoubtedly the main character in this book. In the beginning, her strong personality might make you angry and feel like justice, peace, and love are needed for the new Mrs. de Winter. However, as the story progresses, you learn that Max's POV about her is very suspicious. You never find out why she became unhappy in her marriage or why she sought companionship from someone else. Her husband describes her as a liar and a promiscuous woman, but even after learning this, it's unclear why she deserved to be killed. Rebecca is a badass character who kicks everyone's ass even in her death. She knew what Max was capable of and knew how to push his buttons. Even though she has been deceased for over a year, she still manages to get her revenge from beyond the grave by burning the most precious thing to him - Manderley.
At last, we meet Max. He's yet another man who, after being resented by a gorgeous, capable, and talented woman, and not being able to control her, decided to kill her instead. Criminal records are full of such men. He easily manipulates, lies, and keeps secrets from his new wife. You can clearly see that his affections and passion reach their peak only during the crucial moment when he desperately needs her support. Life in exile and the loss of his precious home are punishment enough for him. His wife's story about their new life is not one of much happiness and passion; they're forced to live in boredom, childless, switching from hotel to hotel just burning the days away.
*And I have to admit, in the book, Max is somewhat hot (probably because I was picturing Tom Hiddleston from “Crimson Peak”, but never mind). He's a bad, bad man, but it doesn't hurt that he's attractive.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are complex and display conflicting emotions, which adds depth to the story. The book can be interpreted in different ways, and you can discover something new every time you read it. The plot is unique and flows seamlessly. It hits you with suspense exactly where you need it, making it impossible to put down the book. It's definitely one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it to everyone. It's a perfect example of a haunting gothic novel that is frightening not because of fictional eerie ghosts or creatures, but because of its realism and relatability.