A colleague of mine gave me this book last year, thinking I might enjoy reading it. Well, I finally got around to reading it and I did really enjoy it. Daphne du Maurier wrote it in 1939 I believe. She also wrote "The Birds" (movie by Alfred Hitchcock). Apparently, Alfred Hitchcock made Rebecca into a movie too, so I'm going to have to check it out on Netflix.Anyway, I just knew this book was considered a classic. I didn't know anything about it. Don't let the Alfred Hitchcock connection throw you; it's not scary at all. There are definitely suspenseful parts, but it's not a scary book. I think it's considered a romantic mystery.
It's a story of a young girl (her name is never mentioned in the book) who meets a fellow Brit while in Monte Carlo. This gentleman is much older than she and had his wife die about a year before. He was very wealthy, living on an estate called Manderley. I pictured Manderley like Mr. Darcy's estate in the most recent Pride and Prejudice (except a little warmer). Having lived in England, I saw a couple old estates myself (from the gate of course, we weren't allowed in!). But the concept fascinates me--having so much wealth and servants to do everything. Anyway, Maxim (the man) falls in love with the girl and marries her. He takes her home to Manderley. She thinks it'll be wonderful there, but quickly realizes that she is nothing like Maxim's first wife. The house is still run how Rebecca would have run it. Rebecca was this and Rebecca was that. She is constantly comparing herself to Rebecca, although she never talks to Maxim about it.
There are tons of things that happen, but basically, there is mystery around Rebecca's death that doesn't really get solved til the end. I won't say what happens, but I will say this: I should have expected the outcome, but for some reason I didn't. I think du Maurier is that good of a writer. She just had me reading and reading to find out what would happen next. I loved the book. It was an excellent book and I highly recommend it!
