Rebecca

De: Daphne du Maurier

Narrado por: Anna Massey

The multi million copy bestseller that has enthralled generations of readers. A haunting tale of obsessive love. A mesmerizing psychological thriller.

In Monte Carlo, our unnamed 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 Manderley, her husband’s cavernous estate on the Cornish coast, that she realizes how vast a shadow his late wife, Rebecca, will cast over their lives—introducing a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their love from beyond the grave.

This universally acclaimed novel has remained consistently in print since its original publication in 1938 and has frequently been adapted—for television, radio, the theater, and film. Notable adaptations include the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film, which received the Academy Award for Best Picture, and the 2020 Netflix film starring Lily James and Armie Hammer.

“Excellent entertainment ... Du Maurier created a scale by which modern women can measure their feelings.” —Stephen King, New York Times bestselling of author of You Like It Darker

“One of the most influential novels of the twentieth century, Rebecca has woven its way into the fabric of our culture with all the troubling power of myth or dream.” —Sarah Waters, bestselling author of Fingersmith

Dreaming of Manderley Again

I would love to read a bunch of contemporary, feminist essays on Rebecca right about now. It's a fascinating book, and once I got past the halfway mark Du Maurier really ratcheted up the tension in a story I'd been pretty bored with. Suddenly, I couldn't stop listening to (in my experience, this rarely ever happens).

There's some weirdness, though. First published in the late 1930s, the protagonist is a nameless narrator who recently married a rich widower and only wants to make him happy and for him to love her. But it becomes increasingly doubtful that the shadow of his dead wife (not to mention her loyal and terrifying maidservant) will ever allow them to find a happily after.

I'm kind of curious as to why Du Maurier never gave her female protagonist a name? Was she supposed to be someone every woman could relate to and see themselves in? Was it commentary on women's role in the 1930s? The narrator is so passive, so bland, and so boring -- pretty much every other character in the book is more interesting than she is. She's almost a precursor to Bella Swan.

Yet, some how Du Maurier makes it work -- particularly through the supporting characters. Mrs. Danvers (who also never received a first name), Frank Crawley -- the widower's business partner, Jack Favell -- the late Mrs. De Winter's cousin, and of course Rebecca herself. Although she's dead throughout the whole story, her presence and spirit haunts every aspect of the story.

Anna Massey's narration is flawless -- there were some scenes between Mrs. Danvers and the narrator that were as sharp as a knife in the dark. Masseey did a strong job rolling between all the different characters and giving them all their own voice and character. Her narration certainly helped me push on through the first half of the story.

I'm really glad I stuck with it to the end of the book. As I said, I'm almost always disappointed when I do this but this time it paid off with a very satisfying story and listening experience. I'm curious to find out what people write about the book, and possibly check out some of Du Maurier's other novels.

Another Beautiful Gothic Romance

What made the experience of listening to Rebecca the most enjoyable?

The reader was fantastic for this book. She had the perfect diction and voice for this particular book.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how kind of haunting this story was. It feels along the same vein as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights but I liked it so much more.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought the fact that we never know the main character's name to be fascinating. We hear the name Rebecca endlessly, but never the current Mrs. de Winter.

Any additional comments?

Such a well-written and well-performed book.

Recommended by Stephen King

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

maybe...maybe not...
this is a long book and I wanted it to be more meaningful...it was a good book and I was absolutely committed to take it to the end...however it was a bit longer than needed to still make the character impact for the same result...

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

transparent...at a great length of time and commitment to the story...

What about Anna Massey’s performance did you like?

EXCELLENT!!!

Entertaining suspense

This book maintained a good pace as it introduced characters and lent hints about a dark past and the possible suspects. It's easy to relate to the main character as she struggles with being an outsider with the inherent insecurities. Revelations occur naturally. The narrator was excellent. Animated voice and easy to differentiate the characters.

Superb

This was an excellent rendition. The narrator is incredible and lends suspense to the story in just the right way. A perfect example of gothic mystery. Loved it!