Title: Rebecca

Author: Daphne du Maurier 

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Rating: ★★★★☆

Why I read it: I saw the movie on Netflix and wanted to read the book

For those who enjoy classic novels, such as Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice, and also appreciate a touch of mystery and thriller, Rebecca may be the perfect book for you.

Written nearly 100 years ago, the prose was reminiscent of some of the beloved classics. Once I adjusted to the style, I was refreshed by how pointed and polished the language was, and how the story danced through my mind. 

Rebecca is told through the eyes of the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter as she begins her new life as the woman of the great estate known as Manderley. Everything is not what it seems, and at each turn, Mrs. de Winter (never explicitly named by the author) faces trials and tribulations with acquaintances, her staff, and her new husband, whom she barely knows. As secrets start to reveal themselves, Mrs. de Winter realizes that Rebecca, her predecessor, may be dead, but she has never been forgotten. 

The entire story unfolds in an eerie and sinister way, building slowly until the main character begins to put the pieces together. I would describe the book as a slow burn, and I found the beginning too slow, but the second half was at a much better pace. This is the primary reason for my four-star rating, as there wasn’t much in the book that I didn’t like. After thoroughly enjoying the movie, I expected to be impressed by the book, and luckily, that ended up being the case. 

At the start, I liked the movie more because, as I stated, the pacing was a bit off in the beginning. Additionally, the main character in the book was painted as a much younger girl than I would have preferred (almost uncomfortably young, although her age is never mentioned), and Maxim is a bit of an ass. In the movie, his character is portrayed as a brooding and lonely widower, who is turned into a romantic love interest. In the book, he is not just grieving; he is cruel. The book had me wondering how they fell in love at all, whereas the movie made that much more clear. I think if I had read the book first, I would not have been a fan of their relationship, which would have altered my rating. 

As with all book and movie adaptations, some details were changed, but I thought the movie did a fine job of portraying the emotions that the book detailed. I appreciated the additional context that the book afforded, as at times the movie felt a bit disjointed. One thing in particular was how the dress scene was handled. The movie had me feeling confused, but the book spelled it out in a much plainer way. Those who have read the book or watched the movie will understand what I’m getting at here. I don’t want to give too much away because this is a crucial scene!

The author’s notes, of course, are where I truly gained an appreciation for this book. The copy I read included the author’s note AND an excerpt on how the author wrote the book based on a real property that she fell in love with. I almost wish I had read this note first because I think that would have added a lot more appreciation and color to the story. The love the author holds for the home that Manderley is based on really jumps off the page, and the fact that this is nearly real makes it that much more magical.

TL;DR: Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, but to a specific friend. This is for someone who is willing to put in the work for a great payoff, but not the casual reader.