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A review by mina_m
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
The cover? Gorgeous. The writing? Just exquisite. The plot? Delightfully twisty. The characters? Lovably unlikeable.
I suspected already thirty pages in that this would be a five star-read. Even if the plot wasn't so strong and layered as it turned out to be, the writing alone would be good enough to make me thoroughly enjoy the reading experience. I must admit that I initially presumed this would be a predictable gothic mystery that would be so well-written that the predictability wouldn't matter. In other words, masterclass in writing engaging mysteries without shocking plot twists coming out of nowhere (the perfect opposite of what seems to be the norm for most TV shows these days…Please read Rebecca and take notes, people). The "main reveal" was rather obvious, however, there were plenty of twists and turns in addition to this. The main reveal was only the beginning. Oh, what a ride this story was!
Our main character is a fascinating one. She is nameless (to the reader) and apparently plain and docile. She doesn’t have all that many interests and keeps her opinions, if she has any, to herself. She lives to please others and for praise from her husband. To begin with she is hardly referred to at all and after she (hurriedly) marries Maximilian de Winter she is known exclusively as "Mrs. de Winter". She stands in stark contrast to her husband's first wife, the charismatic Rebecca whom the story revolves around - despite her being dead. I found it very interesting and clever that the book is named after Rebecca while the protagonist remains unnamed. Rebecca is the one left on your mind as you turn the last page.
(I will not elaborate further on the book at this point in time. I might write a more thorough review later, but in the meantime: Go read it!)
I have a feeling Rebecca is a book I will reread more than once.
I suspected already thirty pages in that this would be a five star-read. Even if the plot wasn't so strong and layered as it turned out to be, the writing alone would be good enough to make me thoroughly enjoy the reading experience. I must admit that I initially presumed this would be a predictable gothic mystery that would be so well-written that the predictability wouldn't matter. In other words, masterclass in writing engaging mysteries without shocking plot twists coming out of nowhere (the perfect opposite of what seems to be the norm for most TV shows these days…Please read Rebecca and take notes, people). The "main reveal" was rather obvious, however, there were plenty of twists and turns in addition to this. The main reveal was only the beginning. Oh, what a ride this story was!
Our main character is a fascinating one. She is nameless (to the reader) and apparently plain and docile. She doesn’t have all that many interests and keeps her opinions, if she has any, to herself. She lives to please others and for praise from her husband. To begin with she is hardly referred to at all and after she (hurriedly) marries Maximilian de Winter she is known exclusively as "Mrs. de Winter". She stands in stark contrast to her husband's first wife, the charismatic Rebecca whom the story revolves around - despite her being dead. I found it very interesting and clever that the book is named after Rebecca while the protagonist remains unnamed. Rebecca is the one left on your mind as you turn the last page.
(I will not elaborate further on the book at this point in time. I might write a more thorough review later, but in the meantime: Go read it!)
I have a feeling Rebecca is a book I will reread more than once.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts