Reading the Classics discussion

I love this book so much. I have read it several times. Sorry this is up late, but I hope you have started your reading. Here is the discussion for chapters 1-7.

This starts as a story within a story, where our heroine is traveling through Europe with her husband. She is remembering Manderley in flashbacks and begins telling her story.

One thing I have always found interesting with this story is that we never learn the first name of our heroine.

I’ve also been reading it. It goes very fast.

Does the first chapter say that she is with her husband. I am listening.
I don’t think she named her husband, but it is not easy for me to check.

I have been wondering “what man” is she with at the end.

I think I read this long ago but I am not sure. Through the years I have seen old movies, TV productions, dramatic radio productions. It is all a big blur.

I am impressed at the quality of the writing. du Maurier certainly has an eye and ear for detail. The writing seems to flow effortlessly.

Honestly, I haven't been able to start my reread yet, since I am still waiting on the audiobook from Libby. So my memory from previous reads may be off. I don't actually remember if she does say she is traveling with her husband or if I just know from finishing the book. Sorry if I gave a spoiler away!

One thing I like about the book is the way the author uses a thousand little details to convey personality, particularly for our young protagonist. We are shown by her reactions, behavior, thoughts, etc, her immaturity.

I'm trying to catch up. Just finished chapter 7. Her writing style is brilliant — bleak, haunted and very vivid. I keep thinking that this is what would've happened if Jane Eyre did not run away to the Moor House and stayed with Rochester. It's written powerfully — we watch her controlled, subdued by Maxim and we too feel just like her — spectators.

Hi Darshana. Glad you have joined in the discussion.

I agree the writing is wonderful. The slow growth of maturity in the protagonist is really well done.

Darshana wrote: "I'm trying to catch up. Just finished chapter 7. Her writing style is brilliant — bleak, haunted and very vivid. I keep thinking that this is what would've happened if Jane Eyre did not run away to..."

I do see a lot of similarities to Jane Eyre in this. Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, so I'm interested to see a connection.

I love, love Jane Eyre. And I did see some similarities.

- The prose: is obviously borrowed from Jane Eyre. It seems to me that if Jane Eyre were as weak as the protagonist, she'd write like this. The prose of Rebecca feels just like Jane Eyre's with a disturbed quality to it.

- Maxim de Winter isn't too much like Mr Rochester. The only characteristic they share is of being tormented by memories. Rochester doesn't seem to be as manipulative as Maxim.

- On the surface, the two books are similar. But that's where it ends; they're not similar when you get into the book at all.