Holly B / Dressedtoread

Throwback Thursday

 

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My Pick…

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

This Throwback Thursday meme was created by Rene over at It’s Book Talk.  She created this meme to share some  old favorites as well as sharing books that were published over a year ago. Today,  I am going to share an old favorite. This is one of my all time favorite books!  I adore the mystery and the characters.  I recently re-read it and then I watched the movie on DVD (that I rented).  I love books with old, creepy houses or mysterious lavish mansions and Manderley is a beautiful massive estate with mystique and a very wicked housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers! The book was first published in August 1938.

Book Description:

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .

The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady’s maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives–presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.

My Thoughts…

This is a beautiful, haunting love story that takes you from Monte Carlo to the massive estate of Manderley with luscious red rhododendrons and blooming azaleus with sea views adding to the romantic element of the story.

Rebecca is a shy, self-conscious young lady who meets a handsome, sophisticated and rich widower, Maxim de Winter.  His name is even exquisite.

Rebecca is working as a ladies maid and is not worldly or confident.  She is simply swept away by Maxim and ill prepared for the lurking and spiteful Mrs. Danvers.  She gives the mansion such an eerie feeling.  I always felt sorry for Rebecca because she didn’t seem to have the confidence to stand up to Mrs. Danvers and she was so intimidated by her and the memory of Rebecca.

Some quotes from Rebecca:

“Men are simpler than you imagine my sweet child. But what goes on in the twisted, tortuous minds of women would baffle anyone.”

“Either you go to America with Mrs. Van Hopper or you come home to Manderley with me.”
“Do you mean you want a secretary or something?”
“No, I’m asking you to marry me, you little fool.”

“The moment of crisis had come, and I must face it. My old fears, my diffidence, my shyness, my hopeless sense of inferiority, must be conquered now and thrust aside. If I failed now I should fail forever.”

19 comments

  4. This is one of my favorites!! I was so excited to see your review, and a great review you gave it!! I love the old movie too, the one with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine!!😃

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  8. I love this book Holly, I’m attempting to read everything she’s ever written and am recently finished a short story collection of hers that was so good!! Great post!

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  9. I adore Rebecca. Also read My Cousin Rachel, Jamaica Inn and The Birds. I must read some of her lesser known books. Would love to link up with others if anyone is exploring Du Maurier’s work. x

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