Told by the second Mrs. de Winter, the story begins in Monte Carlo where she’s the orphaned paid companion of an American matron. When she meets the elegant widower Maxim de Winter, he sweeps her off of her feet and they quickly marry. Though his wife Rebecca died a year ago, her presence continues to persist at Manderlay, Maxim’s country estate, diminishing our heroine to the status of a bland replacement and cruelly reinforced by Mrs. Danvers, the formidable housekeeper.
I have a limited recollection of the Alfred Hitchcock movie from years ago, which worked as it normally doesn’t turn out well for me when I read the book after having seen the film. I only recalled the second Mrs. de Winter being rather dull, Mrs. Danvers being pretty creepy and the estate having a gothic feel. What I gained by reading the book is an astonishing sense of character and place through the beautifully descriptive prose. I easily imagined Manderley, the dowdy and dull second Mrs. de Winter, the aloof Maxim, the condescending Mrs. Danvers and, most vividly of all, Rebecca de Winter.
There’s a turning point in the story when the second Mrs. de Winter begins to assert herself but up until that time, she’s eclipsed in every way by Rebecca. The author never gives the heroine a name, which I found curious until it dawned on me that it fit the story perfectly not to do so, sort of like she hadn’t developed a strong enough identity to merit one. (I’ve since learned that the author couldn’t decide on the right name and eventually gave up.)
This story has a slow, deceptive build that climaxes with some startling twists and turns. The ending will also startle you but, again, feels perfect. I opted to wait for the audiobook, narrated by Anna Massey, and she was brilliant! Every voice was distinctively captured in tandem with the characterization drawn by the author. If you like listening and are interested in this classic, I strongly recommend the audio version. It’s a really good story that’s masterfully written and performed.
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Blue Mood Café 
Beautiful review, Jonetta! I have had this on my list for so long. I own a copy, but I may try the audio like you suggested. Can’t wait, either way!
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Thanks, Jennifer! I hope you do give the audio version a try. It was SO good.
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Fantastic review!! This is one of my most favourite books ever! So glad you loved it too!!!
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Yay! Another fan!!! Thank you, Lindsay.
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Brilliant review. One of my favorite books of all time actually ❤
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Thank you, Adrianna! I’m so happy to find so many other fans. This book deserves to be in the classics category.
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This one is one of my favorite books, I’m scared to reread fearing it won’t be as good as the first time I read it. Loved it the first time 💕
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I don’t think you have anything to worry about. It’s that good.
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You might have actually sold me on this book on audio! I’m really not a classyc girl though, we shall see??? Beautiful review!
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Thank you, Berit! There are books considered classics because their messages are timeless or the writing is brilliant. This one certainly has those characteristics but also IS timeless as a gothic-like mystery, especially on audio.
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This sound good but rather creepy. I don’t think I read this although I have enjoyed many classics. And yay, this audiobook is even available at my library. Now to find time to fit it in.
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It is really creepy, the good kind! Hope you do give it a go.
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Fantastic review! One of my favorite novels.
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Thank you! It’s now one of mine.
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Great review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Ova!
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