Rebecca is a gothic novel by British author Dame Daphne du Maurier in 1938. I never thought of reading this novel as I do not enjoy Gothic literature. However, after moving to England, I started to hear a lot about Rebecca. Especially when most people who heard that I had read a lot of books began asking what I think of Rebecca, I decided I should read the book. Because frankly, I was a little bored of seeing the shock in their faces when they heard that I had not read. As a result, I am happy to have finally read it.
Rebecca is narrated by the female character who fell in love with a wealthy and highly attractive widow that married her in a very short time. Marrying Maxim de Winter, the new bride settles in the beautiful Manderley. Manderley is a fairly large, hugely popular country mansion with many maids. This mansion turns into a character in its own right in the book. And, of course, it makes the reader dream of a house like that. Manderley will be an unforgettable home, explained in detail from its various rooms to the flowers in its vast gardens and woods.
Let’s get to the character named the book, Rebecca. Rebecca is Maxim de Winter’s ex-wife who died a year ago. Shortly after settling in Manderley, our new bride narrator begins to feel Rebecca’s presence throughout the house. As she learns more about Rebecca, she realizes that she will never be able to replace this gorgeous woman and that she will never be the perfect wife to Maxim de Winter. Of course, Mrs Danvers, the main maid of the house, made this new bride, who is the exact opposite of Rebecca, feel what she was up against from day one.
Daphne Du Maurier is an excellent writer. This book aroused such strong feelings in me that I couldn’t get out of its influence for a long time. Daphne Du Maurier beautifully depicted the massive difference between Rebecca and the new bride, Manderley’s magical atmosphere and country life. Please read it as soon as possible and watch the film afterwards. Enjoy!
Rebecca
On a trip to the South of France, the shy heroine of Rebecca falls in love with Maxim de Winter. A handsome widower. Although his proposal comes as a surprise, she happily agrees to marry him. But as they arrive at her husband’s Cornish estate, Manderley, a change comes over Maxim. And the young bride is filled with dread. Friendless in the isolated mansion, she realises that she barely knows him. In every corner of every room is the phantom of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca. And the new Mrs de Winter walks in her shadow.
Daphne Du Maurier
Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning, DBE was an English author and playwright. Although she is as so a romantic novelist. Her stories have been describe as “moody and resonant” with so overtones of the paranormal.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
