Rebecca

Those are the famous opening words to both the book of Rebecca and the movie of the same name...

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (November 1, 1997)
ISBN-10: 0380730405

From Library Journal
Surely no audio book collection should be without some version of this timeless classic, arguably the most famous and well-loved gothic novel of the 20th century, and this production would be an excellent choice. Read in wonderfully British cadences by Anna Massey, all the mysterious and oppressive nuances are made immediate and chilling. We even feel some sympathy for the absurdly timid and cowering heroine; it is, after all, easy to imagine feeling woefully inferior to the predecessor and desperately eager to please. Of course the story requires great leaps of credulity... Forget the movie; it makes mincemeat of the actual tale. A wise seven-year-old once told me, "The book is always betterDit goes right into your head." This is a prime example Dlisten again; it gets even better. Highly recommended. DHarriet Edwards, East Meadow P.L., NY

Most recently, if I read a book that was once a movie that I had seen, more than likely , a number of times, I seem not to enjoy the book so much. This is NOT the case with Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

At certain parts in the book I did find that I got a mental picture from the movie, which was an enjoyable addition to reading the book.

This was a great book for the RIP challenge. It surely had that Gothic feel to it, and if the maid, Mrs Danvers, doesn't creep you out.. well then you don't know creepy!

Excerpt: Then I heard a step behind me and turning round I saw Mrs Danvers. I shall never forget the expression on her face. Triumphant, gloating, excited in a strange unhealthy way. I felt very frightened.

(a bit later:speaking of mrs Danvers) She took hold of my arm, and walked me towards the bed. I could not resist her, I was like a dumb thing. The touch of her hand made me shudder. And her voice was low and intimate, a voice I hated and feared.

Trust me.. it's creepy!

(more from the book:) Mrs Danvers came close to me, she put her face near to mine. "It's no use, is it?" she said, "You'll never get the better of her. She's still mistress here, even if she is dead. She's the real Mrs de Winter, no you. It's you that's the shadow and the ghost. It's you that's forgotten and not wanted and pushed aside. Well, why don't you leave Manderley to her? Why don't you go?"

She pushed me towards the open window. I could see the terrace below me grey and indistinct in the white wall of fog. "Look down there," she said. "It's easy, isn't it? Why don't you jump? It wouldn't hurt, not to break your neck.. It's a quick kind way. It's not like drowning. Why don't you try it? Why don't you go?"

... Manderley...

I don't think one can say enough about this book. There's love, there's deception, there's mystery...and then there's Mrs Danvers, making sure Rebecca remains in every room on every chair in the house..... it just has it all, and I believe you will find that once you begin to read this book, that you will not want to put it down.

I would recommend both the book and the movie for a good read and a good movie to watch .