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James's Reviews > Rebecca

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
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it was amazing
bookshelves: 1-fiction

5 stars to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. I loved it and probably consider it 4 1/2 stars just because of a few small items (but I can't not give it 5 here!).

Story
The second wife of a wealthy widower (you'll never know her name) tries to figure out how to fit into her new family when it seems there's now way how. With many twists and turns, both suspense and a bit of romance, this story captures your attention immediately and takes you on a path of great intrigue. Just when you think you've figured it out, du Maurier confounds and surprises you -- in a good way. I would love to be a fly on the wall in Manderley (name of the estate where the book takes place) to catch all the hidden expressions and conversations.

Strengths
1. Mystery and Intrigue
2. Character Development

Weaknesses
1. Some unanswered questions (small ones).
2. I want more.

Final Thoughts
Read it. Experience it. Don't just watch the movie adaption. You want to make up your own mind about what everyone looks like and acts like.

There was almost a Broadway show made based on this book; I was super-excited, but funding failed. Oh well, maybe in the future.

About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
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Reading Progress

January 7, 2010 – Started Reading
January 19, 2010 – Finished Reading
January 7, 2012 – Shelved
January 13, 2012 –
page 200
45.35% "almost half way through... I do like it. :) I rather think of myself as the main character sometimes. What is her name?"
March 11, 2017 – Shelved as: 1-fiction

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Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)


message 1: by Jill (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 25, 2017 08:58AM

Jill Hutchinson That book has one of the most memorable first lines in fiction. Loved the book, loved the movie.


message 2: by Julie (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 25, 2017 09:08AM

Julie A timeless classic! I love this book, and the movie too. Wonderful review!


message 3: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 25, 2017 09:11AM

James Thank you. I plan to watch the movie next week.


message 4: by Ginger (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 25, 2017 09:27AM

Ginger Great review James! I loved this classic as well. It was fantastic.


message 5: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 25, 2017 04:50PM

Teresa James you may like a book called House on the Strand by Du Maurier. Different than Rebecca but totally makes you think. I read it many years ago and I've never forgotten it. I think you'd enjoy it.


message 6: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 25, 2017 05:25PM

James Teresa wrote: "James you may like a book called House on the Strand by Du Maurier. Different than Rebecca but totally makes you think. I read it many years ago and I've never forgotten it. I think you'd enjoy it."

Thank you for the recommendation. I will look up this one.


message 7: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 25, 2017 05:55PM

James Ginger wrote: "Great review James! I loved this classic as well. It was fantastic."

Thank you! Yes, many good things here.


message 8: by Carol (new) - rated it 5 stars
Mar 26, 2017 02:55AM

Carol Fillmore One of my favourite books, read twice (at least) so far. Will be rereading again at some point.


message 9: by [deleted user] (new)
Mar 26, 2017 08:56AM

Glad you liked it. One of my favorite books ever! I read it when I was 16 or 17 maybe and I still remember I couldn't put it down until I finished.


message 10: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 07:03AM

James I'm thinking about picking it up again his summer. Totally agree with you!


message 11: by Renee (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 07:53AM

Renee This is one of my favourite books and movies. I had actually watched the movie (many times!) before reading the book because I love Olivier. It quickly became one of my favourites and I HAD to read the book. The first line just pulls you into the story, and you don't want to put it down until you're finished. Manderley itself, is almost like its own character in the book. I haven't read much of DuMaurier so far, but I love what I have read, and I've added many of her books to my TBR list.


message 12: by Carol (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 08:20AM

Carol Fillmore PBS will be airing tv version of Rebecca, one that aired some time ago. Diana Rigg plays Mrs. Danvers, and what a creepy character she made the housekeeper to be. Can't remember the other actors in this version. Sorry, I missed the date Rebecca will be on but think it's soon. Likely listed on PBS website.


message 13: by Holly (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 08:34AM

Holly B (slower pace!) My all time favorite mystery!


message 14: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 10:27AM

Teresa The main actors in the one your're trying to think of are Charles Dance and Emila Fox. It just didn't do it for me. It wasn't a patch on the Olivier one and I'm not an Olivier fan.


message 15: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 01:30PM

James I need to read another one of her books. Still trying to decide which one.


message 16: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 01:31PM

James Oh I need to watch the TV version or movies still.


message 17: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 01:31PM

James House on the Strand was something Teresa recommend. I might do that one.


message 18: by Carol (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 01:35PM

Carol Fillmore Teresa wrote: "The main actors in the one your're trying to think of are Charles Dance and Emila Fox. It just didn't do it for me. It wasn't a patch on the Olivier one and I'm not an Olivier fan."
Thank you for the names of the other actors! I honestly don't remember their acting much, perhaps it wasn not as strong as Diana Riggs' Mrs. Danvers...she was creepy. I've not seen the Olivier version of Rebecca. Will try to see that sometime!


message 19: by Carol (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 01:40PM

Carol Fillmore James maybe try the tv version


message 20: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 02:04PM

Teresa James if you are intending reading House on the Strand know that it's completely different to Rebecca. I loved it. Hope you enjoy it too if you read it. Will be interested in your comments.


message 21: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 02:05PM

Teresa James if you are intending reading House on the Strand know that it's completely different to Rebecca. I loved it. Hope you enjoy it too if you read it. Will be interested in your comments.


message 22: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 04:14PM

James Good to know. Thanks. Will do.


message 23: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 05:35PM

James Oh... we may need to re-read it together.


message 24: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 05:35PM

James Thank you!


message 25: by Michael (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 06:24PM

Michael Wonderful review! This is such a great book. It was actually panned by many "serious critics" when it first came out, but Du Maurier has had the last laugh, as it's really stood the test of time.


message 26: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2017 07:55PM

James Thank you. I didn't realize it was not received well. Thanks for the info! Good to know. I totally agree with you. She did.


message 27: by Rich (new)
Jul 01, 2017 04:50PM

Rich Nice review James. Sounds like a good one.


message 28: by [deleted user] (new)
Jul 02, 2017 02:15AM

Totally agree James :) The book is much better than the movie. Great review XX


message 29: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 14, 2018 01:00PM

James Rich wrote: "Nice review James. Sounds like a good one." Thank you very much.


message 30: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 14, 2018 01:00PM

James Lua wrote: "Totally agree James :) The book is much better than the movie. Great review XX" I am still sad the Broadway play didn't happen! :)


message 31: by Shainlock (new) - added it
Feb 14, 2018 03:31PM

Shainlock Oh this is on my list. Got to read it!


message 32: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 14, 2018 07:18PM

James It’s good. I am buddy reading another book by her next month.


message 33: by Marjorie (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 08:16AM

Marjorie My favorite book by one of my favorite authors. Glad you enjoyed it!


message 34: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 08:23AM

James Yes. Thanks!!


message 35: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 12:42PM

Teresa James wrote: "It’s good. I am buddy reading another book by her next month."

What's the other one you're reading James?


message 36: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 01:01PM

James My Cousin Rachel


message 37: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 01:09PM

Teresa My favorite one of her novels. It'a a great read. I'll be interested in your review.


message 38: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 01:28PM

James Teresa wrote: "My favorite one of her novels. It'a a great read. I'll be interested in your review."

I think Michael and I are reading it the first or second week of March.


message 39: by Teresa (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 02:23PM

Teresa Wouldn't mind reading it again. I've never done an actual buddy read. I'm a bit all over the place at the moment though. My mother is in hospital and she's not very well at all. So I don't seem to have a minute in a life that I didn't have a minute in before!! :-)


message 40: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 15, 2018 02:28PM

James Teresa wrote: "Wouldn't mind reading it again. I've never done an actual buddy read. I'm a bit all over the place at the moment though. My mother is in hospital and she's not very well at all. So I don't seem to ..."

Oh, I'm so sorry. I hope things improve with your mom. xoxo

I will let you know when we've set the dates on the buddy read to see if you might find some time. No pressure at all!


message 41: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Feb 16, 2018 04:09AM

James Thanks. You too.


message 42: by Jessaka (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 07, 2018 04:35AM

Jessaka The new PBS series, the Great American Read has recommended this book for Halloween. I keep thinking about it but wonder if I would like it. Maybe I will give it a try after reading your great review.


message 43: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Oct 07, 2018 04:59AM

James Jessaka wrote: "The new PBS series, the Great American Read has recommended this book for Halloween. I keep thinking about it but wonder if I would like it. Maybe I will give it a try after reading your great review." I'll look up the series. I've been meaning to try it. Thanks for the heads up.

It's spooky in a ghostly classical way, but still a great example of gothic.


message 44: by Jessaka (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 07, 2018 05:22AM

Jessaka James wrote: "Jessaka wrote: "The new PBS series, the Great American Read has recommended this book for Halloween. I keep thinking about it but wonder if I would like it. Maybe I will give it a try after reading..."

The combination sounds good.


message 45: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Oct 07, 2018 10:10AM

James Definitely.


message 46: by Franci (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 07, 2018 10:33AM

Franci You said 4 Stars, but gave it 5?
Sorry if I'm reading wrong.


message 47: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Oct 07, 2018 10:52AM

James Major typo! Fixed. 5 stars. Somehow I missed that and it went to all my other sites. That’s gonna be painful to fix. Thanks.


message 48: by Franci (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 07, 2018 11:25AM

Franci Pleasure! I make typos all the time, so I get it 😉


message 49: by Ruth Ellen (new)
Oct 08, 2018 03:33AM

Ruth Ellen I couldn't get into it. I tried to two weeks. I wasn't that impressed by the book. I guess i wasn't ready to read it.


message 50: by James (new) - rated it 5 stars
Oct 08, 2018 05:39AM

James Ruth Ellen wrote: "I couldn't get into it. I tried to two weeks. I wasn't that impressed by the book. I guess i wasn't ready to read it." It's definitely a mood read. I know the beginning can be rough but it gets really good!


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