A review by benedettal
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

5.0

I really went through a journey with this book. For context, I read this on the train to work, so a total of 2 hours per week, twice a week. What that means is that I had a lot of time to think about whatever part I happed to stop at, which to be fair wasn’t too bad, since I’d say the book is divided into pretty separate sections. 
Anyway, to begin with the narration is so charming, even though what’s happening is supposedly romantic, there is an underlying feeling of uneasiness. The internal monologue shows the struggle within, a profound awareness of high society from an outsider’s pov, while also letting misconceptions around Maxim and Rebecca creep in for the first time. I also liked how the romance is pretty cold, the companion concept had a lot  of legs and made the relationship so ambiguous.
But I think this also led to a turn in the story that I didn’t like. The disastrous arrival at Manderley is a bit of a downer. While every detail we find out about Rebecca is fascinating and builds her character in such an effective way, I hate how the protagonist lets herself be systematically victimised by Danvers. I really hate weak characters, and she gets caught in this downward spiral where she really gets into her head. It would all be fixed if she would just speak her mind to someone, anyone. This is most evident at the climax, the masquerade ball. The accident itself is upsetting but amazingly written. Still, I had a week to sit on it and like the protagonist, I thought her marriage was over. It made me so mad, this was entirely Danvers doing and she should have just said so. I thought the rest of the book would be just a tragedy, the unravelling of the relationship and who know what else.
Instead, the unexpected twist incredibly subverts expectations and starts the frantic road towards the end. The twists and turns throughout made for such a great thriller. I loved how the relationship between the protagonist finally is able to blossom as the weight of the secrets is gone, making Maxim affectionate and MC confident. I absolutely love how she is understanding of the crime, and that may not be exactly ethical on my part but it’s again a very thought provoking way to take the story. Rebecca is a textbook psycho, who has ruined both of their lives, revenge feels justified. And the whole process with the inquest and the Favell blackmail is so masterful. I was so hooked, I was rooting for Maxim to get away with it and totally terrified it wouldn’t go his way. Yet, all the revelations, all the characters coming through unexpectedly, it was majestic. 
The ending itself was so powerful. First the revelation that Rebecca had orchestrated her death all along, almost framed Maxim in the process. Then, the fire. No words wasted. Just a powerful, poetic sendoff. 
Overall, this book got me really excited and that’s gotta be a 5 star.