Rebecca

On a trip to the South of France, the shy heroine of Rebecca falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower. Although his proposal comes as a surprise, she happily agrees to marry him. But as they arrive at her husband's home, Manderley, a change comes over Maxim, and the young bride is filled with dread. Friendless in the isolated mansion, she realises that she barely knows him. In every corner of every room is the phantom of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca, and the new Mrs de Winter walks in her shadow.

This haunting 20th century classic is perfect for the teenage market. Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and Frenchman's Creek are now available for the first time in YA editions.

I can’t remember the last time I read gothic literature but if more of them are anything like Rebecca, I’m ready. On the surface, Rebecca isn’t a book I’d naturally gravitate to. A woman falls in love with a widower and feels haunted by his late wife after she moves into their home? I can think of more interesting books… I’m glad this novel came to my attention though because I simply devoured it. Daphne du Maurier’s writing is beautifully atmospheric and it was easy to visualize Manderley as the charming yet ominous place the story was set in.

Nature had come into her own again and, little by little, in her stealthy, insidious way had encroached upon the drive with long, tenacious fingers.

I found it so interesting that the narrator was never named and was only referred to as Mrs de Winter, specially when she’s the complete opposite of Rebecca who used to go by that name. Everything the MC does is overshadowed by Rebecca’s lingering presence in Manderley, resulting in a rivalry between the living and the dead.

I also particularly liked how distinct the characters were and while I found some of them unlikable, it still worked in their favour because of what it added to the story. As much as I loved this book, I did have a couple of things to pick on.

Overall, Rebecca is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold, gloomy day. There were times when du Maurier’s prose just gave me chills and I couldn’t help but go back for more. It’s a tale about blinding first loves, jealousy, and stifling secrets that will draw you in until you find yourself starting the book all over again.