From the Bookshelf of Read With Me!…

Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier

Start date: January 1, 2019

Finish date: January 31, 2019

Discussion: February 2019

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 4 topics — 13 comments total

February 2019

Born a Crime
By Tina , Creator · 2 posts · 5 views

last updated Sep 02, 2025 02:53PM

Beartown
By Tina , Creator · 2 posts · 13 views

last updated Sep 02, 2025 02:30PM

What Members Thought

Aug 02, 2024 Tina Haigler rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, 101-books

"LAST NIGHT I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

Rebecca. Oh, Rebecca. Why must it always be Rebecca, Rebecca, Rebecca?

This book was about 100 pages too long, the plot twist was about 100 pages too late, and the unnamed narrator was about as annoying as I can normally stand. It took me a while to get through the first three-quarters of the book. I was bored out of my mind and annoyed most of the time. I don't think I've read anything with such a worthless character being the lead. I wanted to tak "LAST NIGHT I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

Rebecca. Oh, Rebecca. Why must it always be Rebecca, Rebecca, Rebecca?

This book was about 100 pages too long, the plot twist was about 100 pages too late, and the unnamed narrator was about as annoying as I can normally stand. It took me a while to get through the first three-quarters of the book. I was bored out of my mind and annoyed most of the time. I don't think I've read anything with such a worthless character being the lead. I wanted to take her by the shoulders and shake her more often than not. If I had to read a "'Yes', I said." from Mrs. de Winter one more time, I was going to explode. If I turned it into a drinking game, we would've all died of alcohol poisoning.

The husband was also boring, and apathetic, and I had no idea what she saw in him. I'd understand if she married him for the money--considering it was common back then to marry simply for a bump in status--but she actually loved him, and for absolutely no reason because he never gave her one. It doesn't help that their dynamic was a little gross, considering she was half his age--literally--and he treated her like a child.

Thank goodness I made it to the twist. It got infinitely better after that, as I was more interested in how it played out than annoyed by Mrs. de Winter and her having the backbone of a limp spaghetti noodle. I was starting to lose my mind thinking I'd have to listen to her drivel on and on about the mundane things that ran on repeat in her mind. I'm ultimately satisfied with how it all turned out, but good grief was it a long time getting there. The ending was confusing, and I had to look it up, but I didn't hate it, even if it was a little abrupt. I would've loved to have had more of the head housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, being unapologetic. I think her character's sass and wanting to know her motivation ultimately kept me going.

This is the first book in a while I'd say I don't really recommend--unless you don't mind being bored to tears for a while until it gets to the good part. Granted it was nice to be able to check a classic off my TBR, but I probably should've just watched the movies.

"And the ashes blew towards us with the salt wind from the sea." ...more

42 likes · Like · see review

Nov 17, 2020 Jess Penhallow rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: uk, 1930s, boxall-s

This was so good! One of those rare books where I'm in the position where I want to devour it but also to slow down so that it doesn't end. The setting, the characters, the plot. Going into any specifics would do this novel a disservice so I will merely gush!

My first du Maurier, certainly not my last. ...more

1 like · Like · see review