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18.8k reviews for:

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier

4.23 AVERAGE


4.5-5⭐️
“I wondered how many people there were in the world who suffered, and continued to suffer, because they could not break out from their own web of shyness and reserve, and in their blindness and folly built up a great distorted wall in front of them that hid the truth.”
dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
dark mysterious reflective medium-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

An incredibly slow and dull book about truly awful people.

Occasionally a fun Gothic vibe.

I thought it was boring 😭
dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I first saw the Hitchcock film of this in college and loved it (hello handsome Olivier). But I just got around to reading it. Fortunately, I didn't totally remember the twist in the book so I was able to be surprised as it went on. And it was enthralling from start to finish. I am especially fascinated by the fact that the narrator/protagonist has no name. Since she simply goes by "Mrs. de Winter" her entire identity is wrapped up in Maxim. Whereas Rebecca is, well, Rebecca. The former Mrs. de Winter, sure, but also the title character of this novel. That raises some interesting points about the power of a name and one's identity. If our narrator has no name and is only identified in her position as a wife, how can she ever compete with the specter that is Rebecca, full of life and with a name all her own. Obviously this is what du Maurier is going for and I find it so cool.

I look forward to reading more of her works and re-watching the Hitchcock film.
dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

I feel like I don’t know how to process this book. It seems superficially simple and the narrator a bit of a ditzy young thing, but then it’s also full of such darkness and horror. As I think about it, it becomes more twisted and meaningful and not simple at all. Very cleverly written. Not a book I absolutely love, but I feel this one might stay with me a while.

I honestly don’t think I could have finished this without it being a book club book for which I was supposed to be the leader. I also wouldn’t have finished without having the audio book to read it while I followed along. The never ending descriptions of everything! Good god! I kept thinking about the author- how could she keep going on and on about all of the plants and the random thoughts that the main character had. It was pretty predictable also.