Books and Jams Readalong discussion

We're about 25% through. Were your initial impressions correct so far? Any characters stand out to you?

I'm intrigued by Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca. Danvers seems so creepy! I think it's interesting that there's such a dark mystery surrounding such an idyllic place like Manderley. (I can't help but picture Pemberley from P&P, specifically the real-life Chatsworth House in the Keira Knightley film.)
I'm definitely curious to find out more information about how the former Mrs. De Winter died. I'm also noticing how Mrs. Danvers continues to call Rebecca "Mrs. De Winter," as if our protagonist doesn't exist.

@ Jenna - It's interesting what you say about the protagonist not existing, because that's something I've been thinking about as well. And it's not just that Mrs Danvers calls Rebecca Mrs De Winter, but also that the protagonist doesn't have a name (so far), and that a lot of her narrative concerns things that haven't happened. She has these really elaborate daydreams about how she envisions her days to unfold and scenarios to go. In some sense I feel that she exists more in her own mind than in the outside world. In her daydreams she has far more agency and confidence than what she has outside of them.

I don't feel like I can make any judgement on any of the characters so far. With a first person narrative there's always the element of unreliability, so there might be more to the characters than what our protagonist chooses to emphasise.

As for how I picture Manderley, I can't help but think of Downton Abbey!

As a shy person myself, I find myself identifying with the protagonist. I'm much more confident in my daydreams (which are also vivid and meandering), and have always found flexing authority uncomfortable. I've also noticed our protagonist having no name. She's constantly compared to this mythic "Rebecca", who seems to be perfection itself. I highly doubt anyone is as perfect as we think they are, but I do feel the constant comparisons must be suffocating to our protagonist. Almost as if they want to replace her with Rebecca's ghost. I feel so sorry for her - it's hard to compete against someone who's dead. People tend to remember the good things and forget the bad.

And to be honest, I don't like Manderley. Too snobbish and cold for me, haha!

The narrator never asks questions. She could've asked how to get to rooms, what the procedure for meal planning is, etc., but she's very passive. I'm sure her youth is the primary reason, but it's a little frustrating to me.
I think Mrs. Danvers is an interesting character; I'm more curious about her than the others at this point. That said, she's sure not very likable, is she?

I haven't read all the comments on this thread as I'm only through Chapter 4 at this point.
Chapter 3 hooked me.
But I'm still wondering --- what is hers name? Has it been said and I've missed it?
Rebecca is the dead first wife, yes? I know I could look info up but I don't want to risk a spoiler.....

Cassie wrote: "I haven't read all the comments on this thread as I'm only through Chapter 4 at this point.
Chapter 3 hooked me.
But I'm still wondering --- what is hers name? Has it been said and I've missed it? ..."

Cassie, I knew you would get hooked. I have read this book twice before many years ago. Wasn't until this time did I realize we don't know the narrator's name. It is a mystery so far and I am on chapter 11. Yes, Rebecca is the first wife of Maxim.

I am over halfway through the book. I am loving reading it. But I do not think I love Maxim! I wish he would quit kissing her on the head like he would a child. When is he ever going to tell her he loves her and open his heart to her?

I'm still not completely pulled into the story. Again, probably because I know too much because of the movie. There's little mystery to me.

Does anybody else find the writing style a bit confusing? For example, in chapter 6 she says, "I saw in a paper the other day that the Hotel Cote d'Azu at Monte Carlo had gone to new management..." That makes me wonder if she's talking about current or past times. (Obviously current in this instance, but when then does it switch back to past?) It's not a big deal, but it pulls me out of the story.

I really want the narrator to stand up for herself and show some self-confidence. I know that's not her personality, but she lets herself be such a doormat, even to Maxim!

Anyone still reading? I'm at page 200 and am loving the scenes with Mrs, Danvers.

Stephanie wrote: "Anyone still reading? I'm at page 200 and am loving the scenes with Mrs, Danvers."

I finished it today. It just gets better and better. Mrs. Danvers is great, in a terrible sort of way. :)

Yikes what an elephant in the room. It is telling that when Mrs Danvers calls and ask for Mrs DeWinter our main character doesn't even recognize that it is herself. She is unfairly comparing herself to Rebecca and Mrs Danvers is making it excruciating painful for her. I'm wondering why Mrs Danvers is acting this way?

The new Mrs DeWinter must be very lonely.

I am loving this so far. I am currently despising Maxim. He seems like such a jerk and is very sarcastic and cold towards the narrator. The relationship between Mrs. Danvers and the new Mrs. de Winter is very entertaining...it feels like she's trying to warn the protagonist in a way?? I've never read a book in which you don't know anything personal about the protagonist. She obviously is very young, immature, and naive. I feel like she is becoming obsessed with the previous Mrs. de Winter, and I find it odd that she ripped out that page from the book of poetry with her writing on it...who does that?!

I've just about finished chapter 8 and I'm not sure whose neck I want to wring more!
Our nameless heroine for being so weak;
Maxim for being a clueless oaf;
Mrs. Danvers for being mean-spirited.

Other than that, it's an enjoyment to read. The writing is so rich with descriptive language and depth.

I'm finally through chapter 8. Because of my busy month I've been reading in tiny bits and spurts, which I think is keeping me from getting sucked in to the story. I don't find it hard to read, though, which is good.

Like many of you I am finding the protagonist to be super naive and immature. She has such hopes for her life with Maxim at Manderley. She comes across as quite clueless and insecure. It doesn't help that Maxim also treats her like a child. I find him to be very condescending at times. I think he is attracted to her youth and that she helps him forget the grief and responsibilities he has...at least it seemed that way a bit before they got back to Manderley.

Mrs Danvers is just creepy and mean. I look forward to more of her.

I'm loving the gothic feel of things and the foreboding I feel when reading. I haven't seen the movie but can totally picture some of the scenes in my head.

I'm really loving this book so far. There are just so many mysteries I want to get to the bottom of. Both Mrs Danvers and the house itself give everything a creepy uneasy feeling.
When it comes to Mrs. Danvers I want to know why she is so hateful. The main character seems to constantly unfairly compare herself to a Rebecca. Also, I am not very fond of Maxim. I find the relationship between the two to be lacking and it seems to be almost like walking on eggshells.
I'm eager to learn more as it continues.