Comments on Reading to Know: Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier

I'm glad I wasn't alone in my feelings abo...

2009-08-09T17:41:30.978-07:00

I'm glad I wasn't alone in my feelings about this one...both enjoying the author's skill with the language and the ethical problems of characters. I didn't go into the detail you did and probably wouldn't have done it near so well. I do like the movie...especially the fact that her death was made an accident and not murder which eliminates most of the ethical issues. Great review!

I think I read this book years ago. I have a negat...

2009-08-06T08:56:51.853-07:00

I think I read this book years ago. I have a negative feeling towards the book but couldn't remember the story until reading your review. Glad I didn't bother with it again.

Also, I agree about Gone with the Wind. I SO want Scarlett to reform!! But then it wouldn't be the same story. I read the "sequels" when they came out. Terrible. Absolutely. Terrible. :)

What an excellent analysis. I tend to get caught u...

2009-08-05T19:26:27.120-07:00

What an excellent analysis. I tend to get caught up in the story and not be able to think so critically or biblically about the actions of the characters, especially right after I've finished reading.

I would point out, however, that the beginning of the novel implies that happiness has still escaped the de Winter's. I think it's the first chapter where the 2nd Mrs. de Winter talks about their life of self-imposed exiled in a Mediteranean hotel where they try to avoid any topic that reminds them of Manderley. They hide their grief and fear by talking only of trifles such as cricket matches. It seems that in spite of professed love, their relationship remains superficial and she still walks in fear of upsetting the delicate balance of Maxim's supposed happiness.

When you consider that brief glimpse of their future life, I thought it accurately portrayed the consequences of sin even though they were able to evade legal justice. Their marriage was founded on deception, and even though their love was sincere they were forced to (or chose to) feign happiness to deal with the tragedy of their lives.

Great review!! I love your bible reference James 3...

2009-08-05T18:09:43.332-07:00

Great review!!
I love your bible reference James 3:16. I think that verse fits perfectly. While reading, I did not think of the story in terms of jealousy but after reading your review...yeah, I can see how this theme runs deep within the story.

I was camping all week, just posted my review review.

I read Mrs. DeWinter years ago and while I thought...

2009-08-04T13:55:10.776-07:00

I read Mrs. DeWinter years ago and while I thought the author was trying to tie a "happily ever after" on the DeWinter's she didn't. **SPOILER: Maxim dies in the end and the second Mrs. DeWinter is left husbandless and childless without any of her dreams being fulfilled. **SPOILER END

The Hitchcock vs of Rebecca works to fix the "broken" aspect of the story as it changes how Rebecca dies and it is an accident, not murder.

I didn't read this book this month. I always ...

2009-08-04T11:18:51.246-07:00

I didn't read this book this month. I always fall asleep when I watch this movie. I reviewed a different classic this month- The Last Day of a Condemned Man

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on "Rebec...

2009-08-04T09:08:20.510-07:00

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on "Rebecca". It is a book I had been hoping to read...and your review of will be nice to keep in mind if/whenever I do sit down to read the book.

I agree. If he had gone to prison and they were ba...

2009-08-04T08:45:43.189-07:00

I agree. If he had gone to prison and they were back together after he got out, perhaps. And I understood the tense desire to keep him out so they could be happy.
But when I sat down to write, I got so caught up in my frustrations with the "heroine" that I never even touched on your points (so I'm glad you did).
I'm glad I finally read it. Another novel I read this week even referred to it and now I knew what it was about. But I don't think I'll reread it like I do others.

Thanks for recommending the movie, I wondered about it.

Echoing everyone else...I never thought about it t...

2009-08-04T05:50:24.362-07:00

Echoing everyone else...I never thought about it that way. I wasn't very clear on whether Maxim intended to murder her. I think the story is tied a little too neatly with the suggestion that Rebecca wanted him to kill her, and therefore she could continue her grip on him (through guilt) past the grave.

It was a story I enjoyed very much, but I don't know that I would reread it. I would like to see the movie, though!

Interesting, Carrie. THis will definitely give me...

2009-08-04T05:28:15.211-07:00

Interesting, Carrie. THis will definitely give me something to think about as I finish the book (again!)

Interesting thoughts!! And yes, I agree. I allud...

2009-08-04T04:30:27.558-07:00

Interesting thoughts!! And yes, I agree. I alluded to it a bit in my review about the ending.

The fire was so tidy, and then Maxim didn't have to deal with the consequences of his actions -- live among the people and their doubt, be surrounded by the reminder of what he did etc etc.

Did that quote about a broken story come from one of the culture books you read recently?

I agree with the sentiment. It's one reason I try to avoid books/movies that deal with married people starting over -- find the love of their life etc.

I never thought about it in quite this way. I was...

2009-08-04T04:08:39.776-07:00

I never thought about it in quite this way. I was always just happy that the narrator finally got Maxim; but it's wrong that he gets away with murder. I still love the book, though, and I'll probably read it again.