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A review by callum_mclaughlin
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
5.0
Gripping, visceral and utterly transportive, Rebecca completely swept me up in its rich, immersive atmosphere. It's one of those books that the more I think about it and how masterfully it was crafted, the more I am in awe of what du Maurier managed to achieve. It's equal parts a genius literary work, open to deep analysis with regards to the themes, setting, language, imagery, etc. and yet also just a damn good read that is beautifully written; defying genre with elements of intriguing mystery, gothic romance, covert crime and even the air of a ghost story.
There's so much I could rave about. First is what a stroke of genius it was to leave the narrator unnamed. It reflects how out of place she feels in Manderley; her struggle to find a sense of identity and how overshadowed she is by the domineering presence of Rebecca that haunts the manor, almost like a ghost still pulling all the strings. Rebecca's presence is so strong in fact, it's as though it has left its mark on the book itself by way of the title, leaving no room for the new Mrs de Winter at all.
The tone, pacing and atmosphere are all deliciously dark, with the constant threat of something sinister always lurking subtly just beneath the surface. The tension of the scene between the narrator and Mrs Danvers by the window in Rebecca's old room is a brilliant example, and one that sent shivers down my spine.
I also have to talk about the main twist.It's testament to how well du Maurier paints the ghastly presence of Rebecca that we the reader actually side with Maxim and the narrator as they attempt to get away with her murder. It's so impressive how many other double bluffs and unexpected stings du Maurier manages to add to the tale as well, including the implication that Rebecca herself orchestrated her own death by goading Maxim into it, avoiding the slow demise from cancer she feared and condemning him in the process. (GAH! So clever!)
I also adore the ending, not only for the fact that it comes full circle but once again for its deeper meaning.Throughout the book, Rebecca is strongly associated with the colour red; in the finale, as Maxim and Mrs de Winter return to Manderley in the dead of night, they find the night sky above it glowing red, soon realising that it has been set on fire (most likely by Mrs Danvers in revenge for what she now knows happened to her beloved Rebecca). This image is not only visually striking in the reader's eye, but the red glow reveals it is once again the influence of Rebecca's memory that brought about this ruin; that she is still orchestrating their lives from beyond the grave. But in a final, beautifully bittersweet thought, as the red spreads across the horizon, it's as though Rebecca's presence is finally leaving Manderley for good, escaping into the atmosphere, but not without one last act of vengeance: If she can no longer control Manderley, she will destroy it.
In short, this book is bloody marvellous and one of my new all-time favourites.
There's so much I could rave about. First is what a stroke of genius it was to leave the narrator unnamed. It reflects how out of place she feels in Manderley; her struggle to find a sense of identity and how overshadowed she is by the domineering presence of Rebecca that haunts the manor, almost like a ghost still pulling all the strings. Rebecca's presence is so strong in fact, it's as though it has left its mark on the book itself by way of the title, leaving no room for the new Mrs de Winter at all.
The tone, pacing and atmosphere are all deliciously dark, with the constant threat of something sinister always lurking subtly just beneath the surface. The tension of the scene between the narrator and Mrs Danvers by the window in Rebecca's old room is a brilliant example, and one that sent shivers down my spine.
I also have to talk about the main twist.
I also adore the ending, not only for the fact that it comes full circle but once again for its deeper meaning.
In short, this book is bloody marvellous and one of my new all-time favourites.