Rebecca

Du Maurier, Daphne. Rebecca. 2006. First published in 1938. 393p. ISBN 0-380-73040-5. Available at FIC DU on the library shelves.

When she first meet Maxim de Winter, owner of the large English estate of Manderley, the narrator is suitably impressed. A lady companion to a wealthy American, they have been spending time in Monte Carlo entertaining high society and gossiping around. Paid ￡90 a year, this is a large sum for an orphan such as herself. Maxim and her begin courting, and soon he reveals his love for her. Nearly twice her elder, Maxim was previously married to Rebecca, who died tragically in a boat accident and was found drowned nearly a year ago.

Coming back to stay at the estate, the new Mrs. de Winter meets the staff of Manderley, who were all enamored and retain fond memories of Rebecca. Especially, Mrs. Danvers, the head housekeeper. A maid in the service of Rebecca’s family, Mrs. Danvers takes every opportunity to note to Mrs. de Winter every way in which she is lacking, pointing out that Rebecca was in every way better. Rebecca was more cultured, more sophisticated, more beautiful, more well-bred, and more entertaining. And Maxim is growing distant again, leaving his new wife to fend for herself Life for the new Mrs. de Winter becomes very hard, and everywhere she feels the presence of the ghost of Rebecca.

Then a shipwreck happens in the bay near Manderley, and in the investigation it is discovered that the first Mrs. de Winter’s boat has sunk in the same spot, and her body is aboard. So who was the woman who was identified by Max as his dead wife? Why did the book sink? What did happened to Rebecca?

A psychological thriller wrapped in a gothic novel, the mysteries contained in Rebecca will entertain the readers and leave them pondering how decisions taken a long time ago influence events later on.