Rebecca

About the book

After a whirlwind romance in Monte Carlo, a nameless young woman marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and moves to his isolated Cornish estate, Manderley. She soon finds herself overshadowed by the presence of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, who died in a boating accident a year earlier. The sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, preserves Rebecca's rooms and influence, fueling the protagonist's feelings of inadequacy. As the heavy atmosphere at the estate tightens, a shipwreck uncovers new evidence that forces a confrontation regarding the true nature of Rebecca’s death and Maxim's involvement.

Readers who enjoy psychological tension and Gothic settings read this book to see how past trauma dictates current behavior. Fans of suspense focus on the unreliable perspectives of the characters and the slow reveal of domestic secrets. By the end, the reader understands the corrosive effects of jealousy and the ways in which idealized memories can be used to manipulate the living. It provides a study of how social class and isolation influence personal identity and moral choices.

Details

Published

1938

Language

EN