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A review by emilyinherhead
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
<i>Rebecca</i> is a slow burn of the best sort. Our protagonist is an unnamed young woman who, at the beginning of the book, is working as a lady's companion, accompanying her employer on a vacation in Monte Carlo, where she meets the mysterious Maxim de Winter. In a whirlwind, she becomes his wife and moves with him to Manderley, his estate. From there, tensions slowly build as the young Mrs. de Winter learns more and more about her new home and its former inhabitant, Max's late wife, the titular Rebecca.
In terms of surface-level plot, this is a classic "nothing happens and then <i>everything happens</i>" situation, but the magic is in Daphne du Maurier's masterful portrayal of the protagonist's inner dialogue and psychological turmoil. The gloomy atmosphere is expertly painted, the sense of dread palpable, and information about Rebecca's character doled out at the perfect pace. I didn't notice the prickly branches reaching out to draw me in until I was completely ensnared, and at that point it was too late—there was no putting this book down until I was finished.
I'm still sorting through my feelings about the ending: is it unsatisfying, or tantalizingly effective? Perhaps a bit of both? Either way, I relished the reading experience and would highly recommend this classic of gothic fiction to anyone who enjoys this type of novel.
In terms of surface-level plot, this is a classic "nothing happens and then <i>everything happens</i>" situation, but the magic is in Daphne du Maurier's masterful portrayal of the protagonist's inner dialogue and psychological turmoil. The gloomy atmosphere is expertly painted, the sense of dread palpable, and information about Rebecca's character doled out at the perfect pace. I didn't notice the prickly branches reaching out to draw me in until I was completely ensnared, and at that point it was too late—there was no putting this book down until I was finished.
I'm still sorting through my feelings about the ending: is it unsatisfying, or tantalizingly effective? Perhaps a bit of both? Either way, I relished the reading experience and would highly recommend this classic of gothic fiction to anyone who enjoys this type of novel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts