nattentiondeficit 's review for:

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

3.5

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is beautifully written, with vivid, atmospheric descriptions that make Manderley and its haunting mood come alive. The prose is immersive, and du Maurier’s talent for building tension is undeniable. However, what held me back from a higher rating was the narrator herself. I found her frustratingly one-dimensional for much of the book. She was so passive and insecure that it was hard to root for her. While she does evolve toward the end, her transformation felt too little, too late. I wanted a stronger heroine, someone with more agency and presence throughout the story. Overall, a well-crafted novel that fell a bit short in character development.