Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (Hardcover)

Description

“Rebecca” is a novel written by British author Daphne du Maurier, first published in 1938. It is considered one of her most famous and enduring works and has become a classic in the genre of romantic suspense.

The story is narrated by an unnamed young woman who becomes the second wife of Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower. The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where the narrator, who works as a companion to a wealthy woman, meets Maxim and eventually marries him. She is brought back to his grand estate, Manderley, in Cornwall, England. However, she soon discovers that the memory of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, casts a shadow over the entire household.

Rebecca, the former mistress of Manderley, died in a boating accident the previous year, but her presence is still strongly felt through the house, its staff, and the local community. The narrator begins to feel inadequate and out of place compared to the glamorous and charismatic Rebecca, who seems to have left an indelible mark on everyone she knew. The story follows the narrator’s growing obsession with Rebecca and her attempts to uncover the secrets and mysteries surrounding her death.

As the novel unfolds, it becomes a tale of psychological suspense, mystery, and Gothic romance. The atmosphere of Manderley, with its dark secrets and brooding atmosphere, adds to the tension of the narrative. The novel explores themes of identity, jealousy, manipulation, and the impact of the past on the present.

“Rebecca” has been praised for its atmospheric and evocative writing, its complex characters, and its skillful blending of romance and psychological suspense. It was also adapted into a successful film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940. The novel’s influence has extended to various forms of media and adaptations, making it a staple in the realm of romantic suspense and classic literature.