Printable View
I have already finished the book yesterday. It was a little boring at the beginning, but since they returned to Manderley the writer caught me and I couldn't stop reading. Like Scheherezade I didn't like Mr. de Winter he remembers me a lot that guy whose name is Soames Forsyte in the TV serie based in the book The Forsyte Saga; http://www.online-literature.com/joh.../forsyte-saga/.
Nevertheless it really worth to read it. :banana:
Just realised that there has been no movie adaptations of the book since 1940. I thought Anjelica Houston would make a wonderful Mrs Danvers.
http://www.ganz-muenchen.de/kino/fil..._premi0003.jpg
I read the book twice; the first time a couple of years ago, and then I reread it just a couple of months ago. I enjoyed the book very much, especially the way the story is built up, and symbolism and the erie feeling one gets by reading it. However, when I read it again, some other issues about the book started to bother me. First of all, I disliked Max for being selfish and using everybody around him. The narrator is portrayed as a very weak woman, someone who in real life would not make a good companion to a person like Max, which made the whole story a little fairy tale-y. However, what struck me the most is the fact that a killing of one's spouse is treated to lightly in the book. It seems that everyone somehow conspires to it, and finds justification in it. It is even implied that the investigator thinks Max did it, but justies his behaviour and lets him go freely. I can't help but think that this portrays the true social norms during that time, where spousal homicide is kind of justifed, if the victim is a woman. Imagine that Rebecca killed Max because of infidelity...the whole book would have been written from a prison cell, or purgatory... :smash:
I think that the narrator makes a good companion to Max, because her weak character. Being a selfish man, I think that Max notice her because of that. He wanted a woman who accepted everything without discussing. Proof of that is when the narrator started to question him; he has an angered reaction and she end forgetting it and asking him forgiveness.Quote:
Originally Posted by Amra
I know that in the book it they are portrayed as the perfect couple because of that, but I don't think any woman in real life would find happieness next to a man like Max, who treats her like a little child. He loves her because she poses no threat to him; she does what he wants, doesn't confront him and doesn't ask for anything. Their relationship is that of a step father and step daughter...full of kindness, politeness and distance. Two strangers in a take-give up relationship. But, i guess, in that time, that may have been considered a perfect marriage. :nod: ;)
I see, I got your point now. :nod:
Actually, a Masterpiece Theatre version was done, a few years back. I heard is was not so great, but I have not seen it, yet. I am trying to think who played Mrs. Danvers-Diana Rigg, maybe? Great picture of Anjel, by the way, but she is too sweet to play the part! And I always picture someone more wirey and grey, for some reason!
I agree with Sheherazade that Anjelica Houston would play a marvelous Mrs. Danvers.
I agree with Noah that the Narrator and Max are make a good coupe. I think it was Papaya, who suggested that Max likes her because she is very unlike Rebecca, and I agree with her too. The narrator is looking for some kind of father figure, someone who will take care of her, and Max is looking for someone who is not strong and independent. It is all very ironic that at the end of their 'ordeal', the narrator is again kind of a travel companion; this time for Max and, instead of being paid a salary, she is a wife.To be honest, I hadn't thought this aspect until you brought it up. You might be right if it were Rebecca who killed Max, she could not have got away as easily as he did.Quote:
Originally Posted by Amra
Just one point, Max did not kill Rebecca because she was unfaithful. Rebecca had been unfaithful all along and as long as she kept them in London Max fine with it. Only when she started seeing her boyfriend in Manderley, Max got truly angry.
I agree with you all that he should have got punished for his actions. Even though one might suggest that Rebecca aggravated him, he still killed her; what is more, he killed her when he thought she was pregnant. Someone killing a pregnant woman should not get away without any punishment.
Of course, it can be argued that the fact that Manderley has been destroyed is kind of punishment for him. It was one thing he really cared - so much so that he put up with Rebecca's infidelity simply because she made a good hostess for his house. Also, now living abroad, like some kind of exile is also a punishment in some terms.
What about the quotes in the book....
I decided to read the book because I loved the first line.
"LAST NIGHT I dreamt I went to Manderley again..."
I read Rebecca and Jamaica Inn quite a few years ago and I have it here at home.
I find Daphne DuMaurier's style of writing absolutely fascinating and, for me, that is saying a lot because I don't read a lot of fiction to begin with.
I've also seen the movie Rebecca....forget the major actors, off hand, but the movie was very good and kept to the book very well.
She is one my all time favorites. I love reading "costume drama" type things and Forsyte Saga was a great read.
I have finished the Nazi Officer's wife and I couldn't put it down......by Edith Hahn Beers.
Yesterday, I was looking for a book and I came across with these:
"Rebecca's Tale" by Sally Beauman, Daphne Du Maurier and "Mrs. De Winter" by Susan Hill Long.
The first took place twenty years after that Manderley was destroyed. The narrator is now Colonel Julyan who is tormented by the memories about the secret of Rebecca's death.
The second took place twelve years after, these shows us the life of Maxim de Winter and Mrs. de Winter since Manderley was destroyed.
I think that will be interesting to read them too.
Thank you for mentioning those titles, Noah. :) Agree with you that they would make interesting reads; will see if I can find them at the library.I agree with you that the opening sentence of the book is quite memorable. I think it is one of those sentences that many readers recognise without much difficulty.Quote:
Originally Posted by NNoah3
Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the book with me anymore; however, the section Mrs D finds the Narrator in Rebecca's room is one of my favorite passages in the book.
Rebecca live chat will take place this weekend; if you would like to take part, please PM me your MSN addresses.
I cannot even remember how many times I have read Rebecca, I have my own copy and treasure it.I confess I rather like My Cousin Rachel a bit better but I still like this.
The wierdest sensation I have had each and every time I read that book is that the world is always in shades of grey.
I think the new mrs.'s understanding of people with genetic defects or mental challenges is enough to make me want to grab her by her plain hairdo and take her to the nearest library to get some understanding. This sort of thing is given an 'evil, dark and sinister treatment and well yes it greatly ads to the flavour it still is upsetting to me.
And as for Max, every women's group and transition house has written pamphlets on how to spot such men and avoid them like the plague.
Still it is his history and his wealth and his dark quiet demeanor that pulls a girl like that in. It is always the quiet silent type that intrigue unless of course you are a firm fan of the Meatloaf's and Jack Black's of this world.
Well I'd say a ton more but then it would just spoil things.
But I do hope, I wish at least we could read my cousin rachel and Jamaica inn by
daphne.
did you know that when she was a kid the author of peter pan J.M Barrie used to come over to her house all the time?
how cool is that.
"There never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliette and her Romeo." Shakespeare.