Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier

Dec 2013 · Sold by Little, Brown

About this ebook

The classic Gothic suspense novel by Daphne du Maurier -- winner of the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the Century -- is now a Netflix film starring Lily James and Armie Hammer. 

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .

The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives--presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.
  "Daphne du Maurier created a scale by which modern women can measure their feelings." --Stephen King

Ratings and reviews

A book I've read multiple times because it's a perfectly crafted novel of romance and suspense. Daphne du Maurier was a brilliant writer. REBECCA tells the story of a young, inexperienced and unworldly woman who winds up marrying a much older, sophisticated and wealthy aristocrat whose massive estate in Cornwall still seems to vibrate with the memory of the man's deceased first wife. But what she sees isn't necessarily representative of truth.

This book is excellent with the mystery and amping up the reader's interest (and nerves). I highly recommend not reading spoilers for this story before starting it. That will ruin the whole effect. Rebecca had me dying to find out what was going to happen. Not knowing, kept me on edge. It has a gothic, mysterious feel. The story takes place after the death of the infamous Rebecca, but her presence surrounds absolutely everything.

I remember reading this in 10th grade. I wasn't a fan of actually doing my work, but this book was fantastic! I this a little slow paced, but it's exciting and it really paints a picture. Definitely worth a read.

About the author

Daphne du Maurier (1907-89) was born in London, the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier and granddaughter of the author and artist George du Maurier. Her first novel, The Loving Spirit, was published in 1931, but it would be her fifth novel, Rebecca, that made her one of the most popular authors of her day. Besides novels, du Maurier wrote plays, biographies, and several collections of short fiction. Many of her works were made into films, including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, "Don't Look Now," and "The Birds." She lived most of her life in Cornwall, and was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1969.