A review by foxtrapped
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Every time I return to Rebecca it feels like a treat. "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..." feels like a special doorway; an enchanting and oddly anachronistic path towards an atmospheric and haunting story. There's a lot I can say about this book but mostly I want to celebrate the characters who are so focused on being people in their world that they aren't trying to win the reader over. Although in saying that I recognize that this is partially because of Mrs. de Winter's past experiences and the way they impact her ability to see herself and her place in the world. Maxim is an at times frustrating but enchanting love interest (in classic gothic romance style), Mrs. Danvers is a terrifying  presence, Frank is an understated ally and confident, Ben gives us careful glances into Maxim's past, and Rebecca is one of the most terrifying hauntings I can imagine.

When I first read Rebecca, I was in high school and I wanted so desperately to be rescued from my own Mrs. Van Hopper. I wanted Maxim to find me and ask me to marry him after two weeks; I wanted him to offer me a whole new life so badly!!! I could never judge our narrator because I understood her so well. Now that I'm older I still can't ignore how astounding she is: she is so young and she has so much compassion for the world and people around her and so little for herself. The development of her character via her relationship with herself and Maxim is the heart of the story and I love to see who she and they become in the last 100 pages. 

When we are finally given a moment of their embraces, I swoon. When the fire finally releases them from their pasts I breathe a giant sigh of relief. Oh Rebecca I love you so much, thank you for introducing me to gothic horror, romance, and hauntings.  
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