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Debbie W.'s Reviews > Rebecca
Rebecca
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by
Debbie W.'s review
bookshelves: own, classics, 2021-reads, gothic, horror, gorgeous-cover, literature-united-kingdom-ireland
Oct 23, 2021
bookshelves: own, classics, 2021-reads, gothic, horror, gorgeous-cover, literature-united-kingdom-ireland
I wish that I had read Sally Beauman's "Afterword" before reading Rebecca! She states that there are two ways of reading this book. If you read it literally (like I initially did), this story is quite laughably headshaking; however, if you read it by seeing "the novel's imaginative links" (which I did by rereading certain portions), it is a darkly delicious read!
Although many readers over the years slotted this book into the "romance" genre, I feel that the warped relationships between Maxim and his two wives are anything but romantic. I was also mistaken by thinking Rebecca involved the paranormal - it doesn't. Instead, this story reminded me of Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper. These female authors experienced their own "psychological horror" stories almost 100 years ago. Many women can relate to these stories to this very day, continuing to make these books popular reads!
My recommendation? Get an edition which contains the above-mentioned "Afterword", and read it FIRST! It is quite eye-opening and will make Rebecca a much more thought-provoking read!
Although many readers over the years slotted this book into the "romance" genre, I feel that the warped relationships between Maxim and his two wives are anything but romantic. I was also mistaken by thinking Rebecca involved the paranormal - it doesn't. Instead, this story reminded me of Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper. These female authors experienced their own "psychological horror" stories almost 100 years ago. Many women can relate to these stories to this very day, continuing to make these books popular reads!
My recommendation? Get an edition which contains the above-mentioned "Afterword", and read it FIRST! It is quite eye-opening and will make Rebecca a much more thought-provoking read!
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Reading Progress
June 7, 2020
– Shelved
October 13, 2021
–
Started Reading
October 22, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 82 (82 new)
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by
Barbara
(new)
Oct 23, 2021 07:56AM
Wow! I'm listening to the audio of "The Reading List" and this is the novel that is being discussed now! I haven't read it, although it's a classic. Great review Debbie!
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Barbara wrote: "Wow! I'm listening to the audio of "The Reading List" and this is the novel that is being discussed now! I haven't read it, although it's a classic. Great review Debbie!"That's uncanny, Barbara! I plan on reading The Reading List some day, so I'm glad that I'll be able to check Rebecca off!
Thank you for the suggestion re: the afterword. Rebecca is on my upcoming TBR and I'll do as you suggest!
Sarah wrote: "Thank you for the suggestion re: the afterword. Rebecca is on my upcoming TBR and I'll do as you suggest!"Good to hear that reading this book is on the horizon for you, Sarah! If I had read the "Afterword" first, I know it would have saved me from so much frustration! ;-)
Debbie,I've never progressed past the first few pages of this one, so it's quite possible I need to get my hands on that Afterword!
Julie wrote: "Debbie,I've never progressed past the first few pages of this one, so it's quite possible I need to get my hands on that Afterword!"
I kept wishing for more myself! Luckily, that "Afterword" helped it all make sense!
Jayson wrote: "Super review"Thank you, Jayson!
A terrific and helpful review, Debbie!
Great review Debbie! Very helpful for first time readers.
Jenna wrote: "A terrific and helpful review, Debbie!"Thanks, Jenna!
NILTON wrote: "Great review Debbie! Very helpful for first time readers."Like me! Thanks, Nilton!
Interesting that reading the Afterword first affects what you think of the book. Great review Debbie!
Elisabeth wrote: "Interesting that reading the Afterword first affects what you think of the book. Great review Debbie!"Thanks, Elisabeth! Usually, I go against the flow and read the "Author's Note" and "Afterword" sections first, but for some reason, I didn't with this book. Wish I did!
Huh, good to know! I will have to go try to find a copy with the afterward. I had such high hopes for this one, so many people have named it among their favorites, but it just really frustrated me. I feel like I must have missed something (the afterward I hope will help with that).It's interesting you mention The Yellow Wallpaper, which I adore. That felt very feminist to me, and I've seen Rebecca lauded as feminist as well, but my reading experience was totally different. It felt like someone took Jane Eyre and un-feminized it, 100 years later.
Jen wrote: "Huh, good to know! I will have to go try to find a copy with the afterward. I had such high hopes for this one, so many people have named it among their favorites, but it just really frustrated me...."The "Afterword" alludes to Jane Eyre as well as to Sylvia Plath's writing. I felt the same as you, Jen, frustrated and let down. Perhaps I would have viewed this book differently if I had read the "Afterword" first.
I did not come across the afterword, but I do remember going into it thinking it's a romance/paranormal and found almost nothing of either. I actually found it dark and interesting for that reason. Glad to see it wasn't a wrong perception. Also thanks for mentioning The Yellow Paper. I'll go add it to tbr.
Ushashi wrote: "I did not come across the afterword, but I do remember going into it thinking it's a romance/paranormal and found almost nothing of either. I actually found it dark and interesting for that reason...."Strange how so many readers thought the same way as you and I, Ushashi, that this story fits into the romance and/or a paranormal genre! Some editions have the "Afterword" as the "Introduction". I only just read The Yellow Wallpaper a couple of weeks ago, and it is fascinating! Hope to read your thoughts on that one very soon!
Very interesting review Debbie, I enjoyed it I seem to like the gothic vibe. I read it in 2017, but in those days I didn’t do reviews. 4 stars for me.
I liked My cousin Rachel even more.
Very interesting review! This novel is the very first story that I fully read and began my love of reading. I was in 7th grade, so a reread is probably in order. Would be interesting to read it again with your insight and see how much more I enjoy it. Great review, Debbie.
Maureen wrote: "Very interesting review Debbie, I enjoyed it I seem to like the gothic vibe. I read it in 2017, but in those days I didn’t do reviews. 4 stars for me.
I liked My cousin Rachel even more."
Thanks for your comments, Maureen! I may have to check out the title you mentioned!
Lori wrote: "Very interesting review! This novel is the very first story that I fully read and began my love of reading. I was in 7th grade, so a reread is probably in order. Would be interesting to read it aga..."Thanks, Lori! I think a mature woman would most definitely read this differently than a teenager, and would appreciate its nuances more so!
Sorry you didn't enjoy this. I loved this book. Great review Debbie
Great review, and Beauman's idea is an interesting way to look at it. Someday I'll try my hand at the novel, after the movie version wears away from memory.
Margaret wrote: "Sorry you didn't enjoy this. I loved this book. Great review Debbie"Thanks, Margaret! I did give it 3 stars, meaning I liked it, but it won't be going onto my Favorites bookshelf anytime soon.
Ron wrote: "Great review, and Beauman's idea is an interesting way to look at it. Someday I'll try my hand at the novel, after the movie version wears away from memory."Thanks for your comments, Ron! Which movie version of this story have you watched?
Mrs. Danvers is so deliciously creepy! She is one of my favorite characters of all time! Great review, Debbie!
Lisa of Troy wrote: "Mrs. Danvers is so deliciously creepy! She is one of my favorite characters of all time! Great review, Debbie!"Thanks, Lisa! I enjoyed your review as well! I prefer characters with some "meat" to them, like Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca herself!
I've yet to read "Rebecca," but I will remember to find a copy with Beauman's Afterword. Great review, Debbie! :)
![©hrissie ❁ [1st week on campus-somewhat run-down]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1610034740p1/49071166.jpg)
Very useful review, Debbie, thank you! So very true, too, that the way you read a Classic makes a great difference in your level of enjoyment.
Glad you enjoyed it and the AFTERWORD made it make sense :) Great review, Debbie
Great review, Debbie! Sounds like an interesting story! Too bad the afterword isn't the foreword lol! :)
Just loved your review. I should read the yellow wallpaper too
I never thought of Rebecca as a romance, more gothic suspense.
Beauman's Rebecca's Tale is a great read also
Melissa wrote: "I've yet to read "Rebecca," but I will remember to find a copy with Beauman's Afterword. Great review, Debbie! :)"Thanks, Melissa!
©hrissie � Wor(l)ds*Of*Wonders wrote: "Very useful review, Debbie, thank you! So very true, too, that the way you read a Classic makes a great difference in your level of enjoyment."Thank you, Chrissie! Sometimes I'm terrified to read a classic as I've never sure if I will "get" it or not!
Jen wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it and the AFTERWORD made it make sense :) Great review, Debbie"Thanks, Jen! It was a lot better rereading parts of it after reading the "Afterword"!
Jessaka wrote: "Just loved your review. I should read the yellow wallpaper too"Thanks so much, Jessaka! The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story, so you should be able to read that one quickly!
Yun wrote: "Great review, Debbie! Sounds like an interesting story! Too bad the afterword isn't the foreword lol! :)"I've seen some reviews that state that this "Afterword" was put as the "Introduction" in their editions! My own fault, as I usually check out "Author's Notes" and "Afterwords" first!
Vintage wrote: "I never thought of Rebecca as a romance, more gothic suspense."I thought it was more "paranormal horror" myself! Seems like this book was often promoted as a "romance", and several readers have listed it as such on their bookshelves!
Claudia wrote: "Beauman's Rebecca's Tale is a great read also"Oh, thank you, Claudia! I will have to check that one out!
Jayson wrote: "Smashing review"Thank you, Jayson!
Wonderful review Debbie! For some reason, I've never read this classic.
Excellent review, Debbie! Very interesting take on it.
Susan wrote: "Wonderful review Debbie! For some reason, I've never read this classic."I noticed that! Don't worry, Susan! I finally picked it up! There are still a lot of people yet to read it!
Jodi wrote: "Excellent review, Debbie! Very interesting take on it."Thanks, Jodi!
Thanks for the rec with the Afterward Debbie. I'll have to read this one.😊
