A review by midnightcomets
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 Rebecca was a rather vexing read for me, because I both enjoyed it and wanted it to end. There was something captivating in its mystery, in the lush gardens and its beautiful writing, but at the same time, there was something utterly repulsive about almost every character, and the way they looked at themselves, the world, their relationships and each other. It is a story about revenge and manipulation, control and trauma, and it is as powerful as all these words suggest. However, the constant mention of the main character's feelings towards Maxim, as well as his behaviour towards her made me extremely uncomfortable (that might have been the purpose though).

This book is full of characters who are burning with a million of emotions, usually passion, guilt, fear and anger, and rhododendrons bloom like bloodstains in strong vines and flood the world. I do not know if I recommend this, but I do recommend going in blind if you intend to read it. I also watched both movies for the university, and I enjoyed both adaptations (I recommend these as well). 
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