“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Rebecca opens with the narrator describing this dream and the timorous life she is currently living. Then the narrative jumps to the past, to explain what happened.
The narrator, the second Mrs. de Winter, is brought to her new husband’s English estate, Manderley. Her reign as mistress of the grand house, though, is tempered by the palpable presence of Rebecca, the first Mrs. de Winter. The second Mrs. de Winter (whose first name is never revealed) is young and inexperienced and not well-bred. She struggles to run the household and imagines herself inferior in every way to Rebecca. These imaginations are aided by the efforts of Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who is severely devoted to Rebecca.
The first chapter (well, really, line) drew me in, and I was hooked. The story unfolds slowly, but in an eerie, tension-building way. Some of the scenes are so memorably written that I had dreams about them. Daphne du Maurier is obviously a talented writer and managed to sneak in the twist, before I could even suspect that there was one. Also, who doesn’t like a good book set on an English estate? Though I did have some misgivings about some of the characters’ actions (or inactions, as the case may be) and about the abrupt ending, I really loved this book and will read it again someday.
Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier 
Other reviews:
Things Mean a Lot
A Work in Progress
Stuff As Dreams Are Made On
Buy Rebecca
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{ 19 comments }
I love this one too! If you ask me, it gets better on subsequent re-readings. Even though I know what’s going to happen now, I can just enjoy the atmosphere without rushing through the book.
I’m reading this for your challenge!
If you haven’t already you should read My Cousin Rachel. It’s another great one by DuMaurier. I also enjoyed Jamaica Inn (posted a review of this one my book blog earlier this summer)
I just started this today…so far, so good!
It made a good movie, too! I also liked My Cousin Rachel.
More DaphneDuMaurier-Love: I enjoyed The House on the Strand.
I really liked this when I read it a few years ago.
I loved Rebecca; I read it in January this year. Enjoy!
I read this book after seeing Alfred Hitcock’s movie. It’s one of those where I can’t pick which is better – the book or the movie. I love them both equally. That first line is certainly memorable, too. Great review. I need to pull that book back out again someday soon.
I was tempted to read this as one of my picks for the Classics Challenge – and following your review I definitely will!
Another book to add to the TBR stack!
I “read” this as an audio book. I thought it was wonderful.
I read this book a long time ago, and I remember finding it quite spell-binding. There is a great movie adaptation too, directed by Hitchcock, I believe. Although if I remember right, he changed some of the motivations and backstories a little.
Rebecca is on my TBR stack!
Glad you enjoyed it too. It’s an enchanting book.
Another great review Jessica! I loved this book as well.
Rebecca really is a perfectly told gothic tale. I have read few books of this genre that hold up so well and pull you in, as you said, from that very first sentence. I am so glad you enjoyed it so much.
I read Rebecca this year for RIP also… fantastic book! I can honestly say Ilove the old black and white movie of it too!
Wow. This book is really, very good. I read it a couple of years ago and could only put it down when I needed to get to sleep or go get something to eat. I truly need to pick it up and send myself into Rebecca’s world yet again.
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