Rebecca

By: Daphne du Maurier

Narrated by: Anna Massey

Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

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

So begins Daphne du Maurier's masterpiece, Rebecca. When the story's nameless narrator, a young and unassuming lady's maid, meets a wealthy and handsome widower, she is immediately swept off her feet in what many would've considered an unlikely 20th century match. Maxim de Winter, the owner of a large country estate by the name of Manderley, whisks his new bride away to his home in Cornwall, hoping to rid himself of his sinister past. As the heroine begins her new life at Manderley, she comes to the realisation that the shadow of her predecessor, Rebecca de Winter, lives on through the masonry of the home and through the stern and scathing housekeeper, Mrs Danvers.

A tense and unnerving tale, Rebecca depicts the crippling effect that self-doubt and external manipulation can have on a young and innocent woman's spirit. Due to her own feelings of jealousy, du Maurier based the tale on her husband's first fiancée, claiming that Rebecca would demonstrate the 'influence of a first wife on a second', where 'wife two is haunted day and night' and 'tragedy is looming very close.' Much like her heroine, Daphne du Maurier was said to be solitary, comfortable with her own company and possessed of an incredible imagination. First and foremost, however, du Maurier was an excellent storyteller, and Rebecca is undoubtedly a shining example of her talent.

Narrator Biography

Anna Massey was an award-winning stage and screen actress best remembered for her roles in Peeping Tom, Frenzy, The Machinist, Possession and The Importance of Being Earnest.

On the small screen, Anna became a mainstay of British costume drama, acting in adaptations of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Anna Karenina, The Cherry Orchard, and Oliver Twist. In 1986, she won a BAFTA for her performance in the BBC adaptation of Hotel du Lac and was made a CBE in the 2004 New Year Honours List.

Her audiobook narration credits include Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Hotel du Lac, Nicholas Nickleby, Fairy Stories and Talking Heads.

©1938 Daphne Du Maurier (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

one of my all time favorites

I first read Rebecca when I was in high school and was completely absorbed in the story. Now, over forty years later, I can still remember how fascinated I was reading the book. When I ran across the title while browsing Audible.com, I decided to purchase it to see if the book still held the same power and delights. It did. The story line is gripping - the personality and mystery of Rebecca creep over all like a heavy mist. The reader is excelleent - her tone is just right for the story and her expression is top notch. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job. One thing I still find interesting about this book is that the main "living" character (the narrator) is never given a name, which makes it difficult to refer to her. I believe the reason for this is to make Rebecca an even more overwhelming presence. Rebecca dominates the book, but the narrator is the person I love. If you like Jane Eyre, you will also like this book. The atmosphere created in both books is similar. Rebecca is truly a great book and this is truly a great audible version.

Magnificent

Incredible novel, beautifully performed by Anna Massey. So creepy and disturbing. Absolutely gripping! Highly recommended.

Hauntingly Beautiful

This story was vivid to me after watching the Hitchcock film but the book is even better! My new favourite performance and a truly evocative story through and through. There is something ageless about the knowledge of another who has been where you have been... loved who you have loved... sat right here, in your spot. Watching the second Ms de Winters shrink before the mere memory of the first is cringe worthy and easily imagined, even though the publication was over 70 years ago. Rebecca will haunt you too, as you imagine her perfect figure silhouetted in the beautifully arranged settings she created.

great classic

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a wonderful depiction of the times and influence of class on people’s lives. It kept my interest as the story unfolded and quite unexpected truths were revealed. I wished it continued so that I would know what happened to the characters. I felt like I wanted to wish the central characters well after all they had been through. Highly recommended.

Gripping

The story is gripping and never lets up - right till the very last moment.

Narrator is superb!

Perfect Narration

Loved the narration. Anna Massey was brilliant in inhabiting her characters.

Rebecca is a classic mystery novel. I read it in high school and liked it then. Now 15 years later I enjoyed it even more. This audible rendition of the book has made my many days of weary travel back from work very bearable

Daphne Du Maurier

I enjoyed listening to Rebecca. I was not familiar with the story before and I had heard many good things about it and was curious. I don't know if I would listen to this story again, however. After listening to the book I watched the movie and although they are not completely the same - I felt justice was done. I would suggest anyone who is curious about this story to watch the movie first and if they REALLY want to use a credit to get the audiobook go for it!

You never know what's going on, which is great!

I loved that I never quite knew what was going on. I loved the young heroine's insights into her own naivete. I loved the constant stream of unexpected character twists. And I loved the narrator - she did a beautiful job with presenting us with a young girl who was alternately insecure, full of life, thrilled with first-love excitement, grappling with duties that intimidated her, mystified and hurt by her new husband's demeanor, haunted by a past she was surrounded by yet knew very little about, shocked by rapidly unfolding events, and, eventually, wise. This story is so much more than a mystery. It is a deeply satisfying read on many levels beyond mere plot.

Incredible atmosphere

This was my first Daphne de Maurier novel and I will definitely seek out her books again, the atmosphere and slow building of tension was spell binding.

Riveting

This was my first purchase from Audible and I selected this book because I kept seeing its title on lists of great novels. The first few minutes contained lots and lots of descriptions but I was still hooked. Every time I would walk my dog, ride in my car, clean the kitchen or iron I would listen and I must say I was never bored a minute. The reader was awesome!! She had so many different voices that it was like being at a play. If you like romance and mystery then you should give this a try. I did not like the way the book ended very much, but I love how hooked I became to the plot right up until the last minute. I just purchased my second book and the bar is set very high after "Rebecca", I hope it can measure up!