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If you have been here a while you might know that I love to read. I mostly gravitate towards literary fiction and nonfiction. Occassionaly I opt for a classic, some historical fiction or sci-fi. I have to admit, whenever I pick up a classic, it is less from a place of really wanting to read said book and more of a “I should read this, really” kind of decision. The same was true for Rebecca.
Last year in a short span of time quite a few people mentioned to me that Rebecca was their favourite novel. I then received the book for Christmas from a good friend. It felt like a sign.
My thoughts on Rebecca
During the first 50-100 pages I did not get it. Why is a book about an insecure young woman and her annoying inner life such a well liked book? Her endless, overly detailed ramblings about what might happen if she did this or the other drove me crazy. And that guy she falls in love with? He seems strange and boring at beast, if not to say quite creepy.
Oh, but then! The newly-weds arrive at Mr. de Winters estate Manderley and the plot begins to thicken! I was so intrigued by the mysterious and unfriendly Mrs. Danvers. And the whole dynamic of how everyone interacts with each other… My sympathies for the protaganist began to grow, but my dislike for her husband only intensified. He seems completely uninterested in her well-being and completely caught up in the past with his late wife, Rebecca.
Finally, there is a shocking revelation which I did not see coming in the slightest. And it somehow changed completely how I felt about Mr. de Winter. Strangely so, because in reality, this revelation (I don’t want to put any spoilers here) does not put him in the best light. I am not sure why, but I am now rooting for him.
I don’t want to say much more about the plot in case you haven’t read Rebecca (if you haven’t, go do it now, really, you won’t regret it!). Only this – I know that some people find the end a bit unsatisfying. I did not. I quite liked how the book ended because it somehow restored a bit of justice. And I generally prefer books where in the end not everything is suddenly all neat and tidily tied up.
So yes, 5 stars for Rebecca from me. What a rollercoaster of a book!
Have any of you read it? I would love to hear your thoughts on it!
This is Day 4 of my 100 Day Project. You can learn more about my 100 day project by reading this post.
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