This is another wonderful book about which I was completely wrong -- I had absolutely no understanding of what this book was about. It is not a love sThis is another wonderful book about which I was completely wrong -- I had absolutely no understanding of what this book was about. It is not a love story, or a romance. It isn't sweet. Now, some of you would have known this because you knew Daphne du Maurier, but I was not knowledgeable about her and had not read any of her books until a few weeks ago.
I was completely wrong and I am so glad about it.
This book is really fantastic. The setting is dark and brooding and so well drawn that I could see it clearly. The author's descriptions of Manderley were rich and detailed; her words were full of artistry, tightly knitted together creating a mood. I now know that Alfred Hitchcock used her works and created at least three films. He was a master of film noir, and this book is a perfect example of what I can only call "novel noir."
In the very beginning of the book du Maurier told the reader how the book will end, but doesn't give away the surprise. Each moment, each twist in the story, is a surprise. The characters are fully fleshed out people, each struggling with their own demons, holding their own secrets. Each is flawed and unique and often unlikable. Even the protagonist provoked me at times because I found her to be silly and simpering. Her extreme self-consciousness and weakness was painful to read. She was so certain that Rebecca was more beautiful, smarter, sweeter, and more loved. Her certainty didn't come from any real place -- it all came from her own insecurities. And her husband didn't do anything to help her. He was dealing with his own guilt and depression, and he was so focused inward that he ignored his wife and failed to notice her.
I loved how du Maurier kept the tensions in her words and that when the story climaxed I was completely surprised. I loved how even after the story resolved there was one more shocking event. I loved how the story isn't wrapped up in a pretty little bow. It seems that one of du Maurier's trademarks was to leave questions open and lingering in your mind. I saw this in My Cousin Rachel and The House on the Strand, and now in Rebecca too.
Deciding my rating for this one was difficult. It was easily 4 stars; Maybe almost 5 stars. But I liked My Cousin Rachel even better so I am only giving it 4. EDITED TO ADD: I changed my rating to five stars in Nov 2017 because of how well the book has lingered in my mind....more
My husband was listening to Dracula and I was waiting my turn, so I downloaded the audio version of this one I read this one as part of Victober 2017.
My husband was listening to Dracula and I was waiting my turn, so I downloaded the audio version of this one to read first. It is fun and unique and from what I understand the author was the first to write the vampire story. The fact that it is a story of female vampires and has a hint of lesbianism makes it all the more fascinating. I liked it. I might have loved it if it were twice the length and there was much more development of the story and characters....more
My first 5 star rating for a book with only loathsome characters!
I have never before rated a book 5 stars if I didn't love at least one character. I lMy first 5 star rating for a book with only loathsome characters!
I have never before rated a book 5 stars if I didn't love at least one character. I loathed all of the leading characters. I found little to be redeeming in any of them. Despite this, Emily Bronte made me have sympathy for all of them and hope for each of them to have a more desirable outcome. Her writing style was exquisite. And I loved the descriptions of the moors, the mansions, the people. I loved the story within a story style of telling the tales involved. I loved that when Heathcliff was missing the question of his whereabouts and doings remained untold. I loved that Nellie told the story from her viewpoint which meant there were emotions, thoughts and actions that we couldn't understand.
The book is an intricate exposure of what happens to people when they live for revenge. Emily took Heathcliff down a very twisted path and allowed him to be very unlikable. She allowed him to seethe in his own jealousy, anger and grief. She allowed him to be repulsive. And I am so glad that she did!
Some of the other reviewers disliked Emma Messenger's narration. I didn't have a problem with it. This is my first reading of the book, and know very little about the appropriate accents, so I believe that I do not have the knowledge some others may have. But I enjoyed her choices for the voices of the main characters and especially liked the sinister quality she gave to Heathcliff....more
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