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I love this book. It's not entirely perfect, but still deserving of five stars (which, for the record, just means "it's amazing").

What's so good about it? The beautiful descriptive writing, the nightmarish, dream tinted atmosphere, the complexity of the life at Manderly involving the well-planned out and delicious sounding meals (and teas, and the ball), the routine and order of the servants, the cars, the descriptions of each sight and smell of the flowers and the sea. The characters are interesting and multi-dimensional: the tortured yet patient Frank; Mrs. Danvers--evil, manipulative, devilish and ghoulish; Max: the brooding, flawed new husband; The Unnamed narrator with all of her insecurities and obstacles to overcome...even Jasper the dog is allowed to be prophetic and telling.

The most prescence of character is of course given to someone who is dead and buried by the time the story plays out--the first mistress of the house--the beautiful, the organized, the talented, and the untouchable Rebecca.

This is a mystery, a drama, a love story, a psychological portrait...it's a perfect set-up for a wonderful novel and the great film that followed. It's a must-read!--my top shelf.