Rebecca

Rating:
Summary: Rebecca
Review: I read the book Rebecca, as a requirement for freshman year, and I have to say, if it were not for the fact that a huge test was looming above my head, I would not have touched the book. In truth, I had started reading Rebecca a long while back, but gave up due to the incredibly detailed, (boring) introduction on her current life without Manderley. So as my first note in writing a review, I'd like to mention nothing too spectacularly exciting will happen for the first 150 pages, so the most you can do is hang tight, and think of how cool it'll be when it skips to the traumatic experiences of Maxim and Rebecca.

The story is well written, in appropriately florid speech, understandable only if you reread the section a few times. The characters are developed, though you find yourself annoyed with the narrator, as she is, Incredibly Stupid. Ofcourse, that's how they built the character up to be, but just as a forewarning, it can go from irritating, to aggravating within a few pages.

Then, it amazes me that she doesn't mention a name. It is always "The second Mrs. DeWinters", which also rubs against me the wrong way, especially when you are graded on how well you understand the book, and usually if you don't even catch the first name of the Main Character/Narrator, your comprehension is obviously at fault.

However, the gruesome bits where they talk about the murder, will satisfy any morbid curiosity, and I really enjoyed the twist in the end.

Rating:
Summary: A classic suspense novel
Review: This novel tells the story of a naive young woman (whose name is never mentioned) traveling in Monte Carlo as the companion to an older woman. In the dining room of the hotel, she meets the brooding Maxim de Winter, who is taking some time off after the apparent suicide of his wife. He takes a fancy to her and after a whirlwind romance, they wed.

After a long honeymoon, they return to Maxim's family estate, Manderley. Almost immediately, the second Mrs. de Winters begins to feel her inadequacy. She thinks the staff look down on her as a common girl, which is further re-inforced by the contemptuous looks from the first Mrs. de Winters' personal maid, Mrs. Danvers. And, then there is the presence of Rebecca -- the first Mrs. de Winters. She seems to be everywhere, and the new Mrs. de Winters constantly feels that she needs to live up to her popularity with the staff and the people of the town.

Through a series of disastrous events, the second Mrs. de Winters learns the truth about Rebecca's death and in the process grows into a stronger person.

This wonderful novel is full of twists and turns that leave the reader wanting more. Du Marier's characters are all well-drawn, especially the sinister Mrs. Danvers. The story gets a bit melodramatic at times, but that can easily be overlooked because of the age of the story.

Still a page-turner well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I've ever read!
Review: I had to choose a book from a list for a book report for English freshman year and I decided to read this one. Being 15, I was intimidated by the size at first. However, it took me 10 minutes to be wrapped into this novel. I didn't want to put it down! As others have said on this page, there are literally twists and turns until the very last page! It is an amazing book and I will read it again and again until the pages fall out! I encourage anyone who may have this book to choose from for school to read it!

Rating:
Summary: IT was an assigned summer reading nightmare!!!!!
Review: THE BOOK WAS NOT GOOD AT ALL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INTERESTING AND I WAS FORCED TO READ IT FOR A SUMMER READING BOOK AS IF READING OVER THE SUMMER ISNT BAD ENOUGH I HAD TO READ REBECCA IT JUST A THOUSAND PAGES OF NONSENSE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR AGAIN AND I'D ADVISE YOU NOT TO EITHER.

Rating:
Summary: du Maurier has reeled in another fan
Review: Suspense, mystery, intrigue and one of the most fantastic twists in the tale. Reading through the narrators guilt and past everyones reverence of Rebecca a new branch is extended, and Rebecca's true colours are finally known. The part where Maxim tells his wife about Rebecca is spine-chilling-- not in a sense of the supernatural or blood and gore, but in a true psychological thriller sense (though that genre falls short of describing the thickly woven ruses in this novel). Classical.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: THis book was reccommended to me by my stepmother.Though relectunt at first, it only took a few pages to get caught up in it.Truly a wonderful book. It's full of suspense and mystery. This book is good for kids as well as adults. I encourage everyone to read it.

Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: Does anyone need a review of this classic .... It is the best description of human emotions set under mysterious surroundings ...

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood should do a revival edition after Hitchcock!
Review: I used 3 days to read this book and in this period, I can't help to stop reading. This opening is fantastic! Du Maurier used two chapters to explain the feelings in the Narrator after the incident. It's hard to follow, but I reccomand you to read the first two chapters after you have finished the book. At that time you will understand the meaning of it.

By the way, I think Hollywood should do a revival edition of Rebecca after Hitchcock. It's worth to try! When I was reading the book, I always pictured that Gwyneth Paltrow as the nameless Mrs. de Winter, Edward Norton (with beard or moustache) as Max de Winter, Maggie Smith as Mrs. Danvers and Kevin Spacey as Frank Crawley. It is the brillant cast in my imagination. I was highly reccomand to do it.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: All I have to say is wow. I watched the Alfred Hitchcock version of this movie in my English class before I knew about the book. The book and the movie are different in some ways, but hands down, the book is better. Exactly how every other review summarizes the book is how I would put it too. I think one of the reasons people like this book so much is because besides the fact that it's so intriguing and written beautifully, we can all relate to the unnamed narrator in how she feels at times and how she overcomes it. This book gives answers at the end, but at the same time, leaves you guessing, which is perfectly left wide open for a sequel. (which, I can't wait to read.) The movies made from this book that I know about are the Alfred Hitchcock version, and a BBC version and a mini series that aired in the 80's or 70's. I intend to watch every one of them.

Rating:
Summary: Actually 4 1/2 stars...
Review: WOW! What a great book! This was actually my first real "Grown-Up" person novel that I have ever read, and im only 14 yrs old! (well, technically, I was late into my 13tnh year when I read this, but you get the idea!) My mom actually reccomended this to me, as I had to read a book atleast 300 pgs. at length for a school project, but it hardly felt like it was an assignment! Though at first it may seem like you may NEVER finish it for people my age, it flys right by! CAUTION: Do NOT read the sequel!