Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
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A haunting manor.
A moody, suspenseful atmosphere.
Jealousy and obsession.
And a deliciously dark secret which lingers upon an old estate.
Honestly, who doesn’t love a book with those elements?!
I’ll start off by saying that this book has become one of my all-time favourites and it could be yours too.
Book Blurb
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .
The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady’s maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives–presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.
Source: Goodreads
Plot
It’s a slow burn. But, boy, does it burn.
Rebecca was written in 1938 by Daphne du Maurier. It begins with a shy and meek young woman whose life is drastically changed when she encounters the mysterious and charming Maxim de Winter. From working as a lady’s companion to make ends meet to becoming the respected lady of a large country manor and estate, Manderley.
I mean, who wouldn’t want that? It sounds like such a fairytale, right?
WELL… don’t answer that yet- because there’s so much more.
This gothic classic brings a very modern twist to the story itself. The plot was so well crafted, and the novel was just beautifully written in a manner that you will reread at least the first two chapters again. There were no plot holes, and every concern and issue was addressed. The premise itself was worth reading. It reminds you a lot of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, but with very modern and relatable issues (which I’ll get into lower down) being put before you.
Setting
Hauntingly beautiful. Those are the words I would use to describe the atmosphere of this novel. Apart from its moody gothic ambiance, there’s a slight element of (psychological) horror being present throughout. It was, again, very atmospheric and chilling. The estate being situated near the seaside gave it extra intrigue.
The beginning of the novel which was set in colourful and lively Monte Carlo contrasted and complimented the shift to Manderley where the atmosphere was bleak and gloomy. The setting also reflected the characters in a sense, especially Maxim de Winter, whose personality shifts to that of a changed man when arriving at the estate.
The setting within the manor itself was very chilling and at any moment you would expect the ghost of Rebecca to appear before the narrator.
It keeps you on edge and definitely gives horror feels, but in a very subtle manner.
Characters
No one wants to be the other woman.
Can you imagine getting married to a man and living in the shadow of his ex-wife?
I really sympathized with the narrator. Although being very shy and naïve, she was remarkably likable. Du Maurier did an excellent job with creating this character. It felt like a coming-of-age story transitioning from the experiences of a young girl to being the wife of someone and the responsibilities and feelings attached to it.
This novel certainly didn’t shy away from diving into the dark feelings of jealously and insecurity. Though those are considered ‘ugly’ emotions, it’s real as well as relatable at some point in our lives. To experience this journey with the narrator was gutting and frustrating as one could easily empathize with her when she felt less beautiful, inadequate, and less loved by her husband in comparison to Maxim’s ex-wife, Rebecca.
To note, I hadn’t even realized until the end of the novel that the narrator was not given a name. She was only addressed as Mrs. De Winter/ the new Mrs. De Winter. She was trapped in the shadow of the late Mrs. De Winter.
Even the title of the novel was given to Rebecca.
That being said, however, it was oddly very easy to connect with her regardless if she remained nameless- and that in itself says a lot.
This may or may not come as a surprise, but personally, I was not a fan of Maxim de Winter. I found him rather harsh and insensitive towards the narrator at times. Although he displayed the traits of being a man well, he lacked the essence of being a gentleman. Yet, at the same time, he wasn’t completely unlikeable. He was tolerable.
It could also be noted that Mrs. Danvers, the ‘antagonist’ of the story, complimented the narrative well. There was something off-putting about her that made you want to learn more and, at the same time, run away. Her character played a critical role in pushing the narrator’s insecurities further.
Conclusion
Overall, this book was definitely worth the read. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants an atmospheric gothic classic with modern issues and a well-crafted plot twist.
If you’ve read it already then I’d love to know your thoughts on it- so leave a comment below. And if you haven’t, then be sure to give it a chance!
Get your copy of Rebecca available on Amazon here.
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