The Classics discussion

This is for discussion on Chapters 1-7. I've broken the chapters into four chunks for the four weeks we have to read and discuss the book.

I've just started onto chapter 8. So far it hasn't been hard for me to get into. I can feel her insecurity and I'm left wondering about everyone in this story so far. Everyone from her husband to the housekeeper. I haven't read this story before and I haven't seen the movie, so I am totally ignorant of this story. The only thing I have heard is that people love it and it's intense and scary.

I think it's interesting to see how much focus is placed on nature and how menacing the plants are to help contribute to the overall unease with the approach to Manderley. For example, on their approach to the house she mentions the rhododendrons saying there was "nothing but the slaughterhouse red, luscious and fantastic." Mrs. Danvers is referred to as having a skull-like face. Maxim's earliest memories is of the rose gardens, his mother removing the dead heads. There are these little hints at death throughout the beginning of the book.

Also notice how little we know about the 2nd Mrs. de Winter. We don't know her name though Maxim does. We know she's 21 but the rest of her family is deceased. The focus is always on Rebecca. The protagonist is present but almost is pushed into the background, Rebecca isn't present but is thanks to her mysterious death and hold over Maxim and Manderley.

The chapters end on cliffhangers which is interesting and makes me want to keep on reading but du Maurier is somewhat wordy with overly descriptive passages.

I noticed all the death references as well. She has a knack for foreshadowing. I loved it! I really could feel what she was feeling.

I'm on chapter 12 now... enjoying it a lot more than I expected to, since it's advertised as a romance. I actually don't find the descriptions overly wordy because most of what's said adds another layer to the feeling. Usually I get bored with long descriptions, but here it works for me.

I also noticed that we don't know the narrators name... and how she's made to feel like a bystander- conveying a story that she isn't really a part of. Not really of enough importance to be named. Every time we think she's come to a sense of belonging, the chapter ends on a note about Rebecca's presence resurfacing.

Can't wait to read more. Sorry that I'm lagging behind.

I agree with you that her descriptions help the mood, setting, and the overall feelings of things. I couldn't believe how suspenseful it was feeling over something as little as meeting all the people of the house. I was already starting to suspect everyone she came in contact with! I also loved her descriptions, in general, and ended up reading them to my husband. Such a feeling for forbodance!