"Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again." is one of the most famous first lines in the history of literature. The book starts with the second Mrs. de Winter speaking of her dream, of her longing for the place she once, briefly, called home. Mrs. de Winter then continues on to explain how she met her future husband and how she came to be the mistress of one of the most coveted manors on the Cornish coasts. But the second Mrs. de Winter was a woman of simple means before marrying Maxim, she is overwhelmed by the grandeur of Manderley. All of the servants speak of Rebecca with such reverence that it makes it hard for the second Mrs. de Winter to adjust. It is Rebecca's favorite meals that they prepare, Rebecca's favorite flowers that they cut. The head of the house, Mrs. Danvers, has made it very clear that they do not want her there. When the second Mrs. de Winter makes a serious mistake she fears that her marriage is in jeopardy and her time at Manderley is over. But before she is sent from Manderley something happens that changes everything. Will the secrets of Manderley ever be revealed?
I think that I officially have a new favorite book. I was captivated by Daphne Du Maurier's words from the very first line. I absolutely adored the second Mrs. de Winter from the first we meet her. She was kind and quiet and quite naive when she married Maxim. At first, I thought that Max de Winter was a giant jackass. But he seemed to be a completely different man once the secrets started spilling. And then there was Manderley. I immediately fell in love with Manderley. The library, the morning room, the rose garden, all of it. Mrs. Danvers and Frank Crawley were as much a part of Manderley as the furniture. It was so descriptive and so - perfect. That I immediately wanted to visit Manderley. It made the end of the book that much more tragic - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERSUltimately Rebecca was one of the most well written romantic thrillers I have ever read. The characters are rich, the story is intricate, and the many twists are jaw-dropping and well ahead of their time.
Bottom Line - As much as I love a good thriller I cannot believe that it took me this long to read one of the best thrillers ever written. I can see myself rereading this one many times and I have already ordered the Alfred Hitchcock classic and can't wait to see the book translated to screen. If you have not read it - I encourage you to move it to the top of your pile. You will not regret it.
DETAILS:
- Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
- A feature on Manderley
- Pages: 384
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Publication Date: 1938
- Buy it Here!
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