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Book Review By D.S
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

The book's heroine is first introduced as a travelling companion to the wealthy and obnoxious Mrs. Van Hopper. Tired of the petty tyranny she constantly experiences from her snobbish employer, yet trapped by her modest means, the book's heroine expects a sad and lonely stay in the glamorous Monte Carlo. Yet her pessimism is interrupted by the entrance of the handsome,mysterious Maximilian de Winter, heir to the famous country estate, Manderly.

Mr de Winter seems insulted by the snobbish Mrs Van Hopper's weak attempts to befriend him, yet he shows a partiality to her travelling companion or, as he jokingly quotes, her 'friend of the bosom'. He treats her kindly, taking her driving through the town. Yet for all his generosity, Mr de Winter seems distracted. At one stage, the heroine even considers that he might be mad. Yet she soon learns the reason for his behaviour, one year ago, Mr de Winter was widowed after a tragic boating accident.

He does not speak of his wife, or even of his home, taking to silence whenever the conversation turns to them. Yet in his strange way, he begins to grow an affection for the heroine. And when she announces that she is to leave for New York, he quickly proposes marriage. Ecstatic, the heroine accepts, and presently, the new Mrs de Winter is swept away to the de Winter's country seat, the beautiful Manderly.   Here, her new husband seems increasingly distant, and seems troubled to be back in his home.

And so without his support, Mrs de Winter is faced with the daunting task of being mistress of Manderly. She knows not the proper conduct befitting to her, nor does she know how she should run her house. And her prescence is resented by the cold and menacing housekeeper, Mrs Danvers.

Very much alone, Mrs de Winter begins to learn the ways of life at Manderly. Yet she is ever haunted by a shadow, a ghost, that she can not quite seem to identify. Yet it is always there, taunting, teasing.

Soon, she begins to place the shadow. Mrs de Winter is feeling the presence of the first Mrs de Winter, Rebecca, Maxim's first bride. She learns how much she was loved by all that knew her, adored for her beauty and her grace. And indeed her presence does linger,in the writing on her desk, in the flowers in the garden, in the coat that Maxim's new bride wears.

All were once her's, and Mrs de Winter feels like an unwelcome guest in her own home.
She is constantly comparing herself to Rebecca, beautiful, perfect Rebecca, who lived in her home, who owned her things, who held her husband... With her new husband still not returning any of the love that she bears him, Mrs de Winter is brought to the point of a breakdown.

As much as she tries to fit in at Manderly, she finds only Rebecca wherever she turns.

In the West Wing of the house, Rebecca's suite is kept as though she is still expected to return. Then, just as Mrs de Winter stands literelly on the edge of taking her very life, Rebecca does indeed return. Her boat is found in the bay at Manderly, bringing with it a shocking secret, and a revelation that will change the new Mrs de Winter's life, and her marriage, forever.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 1900-1920's
Romance/Romance Problems Yes
Kind of romance:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Unusual characteristics:

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How sensitive is this character?

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 6 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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