Audiobook Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Book: 154

Rating: 4/5

If you are looking to pick up a very gothic, eerie, atmospheric and suspenseful book with prime autumn vibes: Rebecca is for you.

Rebecca follows the story of our unnamed narrator, a young woman working as a lady's companion who on vacation, meets handsome widower Max de Winter. Shocked by his sudden proposal after only knowing him for a few days, she accepts and moves back to the ominous Manderley with him. She soon discovers that her new husband is a much different person than who he was on vacation, and the memory of his dead wife Rebecca is forever kept alive by the people she knew, especially housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. The rest of the book follows the 'new' Mrs. de Winter trying to find her place in her new life.

It was so interesting to read a book where a dead character, one that you never meet, has such a presence throughout the whole novel. Rebecca's memory is kept alive through those who loved her and has such a strong impact on a young woman struggling carve out her own place in her new world, hung up on the jealousy she feels towards this woman who she's never met.

The whole book is very gothic and suspenseful and I really enjoyed it. If you really like plot driven books and are looking for crazy twists and turns, this book isn't it; but if you like suspense and a character driven book, I think you'll enjoy this one. There's a reason it was published in 1938 and has never gone out of print!