Old Books, New Readers discussion

Hi All,

The Book of The Month for October 2024 is My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. I remember liking Rebecca, so I am excited for this book.

My local library only had this book in french, so I had to order it online. I should have it tomorrow and will make reading schedule then.

Cheers,
Ian

I've read this quite a few times, I hope everyone reading it for the first time enjoys it as much as I did!

Hi All,

Here is a reading schedule for this book. I am using this version of My Cousin Rachel so your version may have different page numbers.

Week 1: Oct 1-10	Chapters 1-7	pp. 1-76
Week 2: Oct 11-17 	Chapters 8-14	pp. 77-160
Week 3: Oct 18-24	Chapters 15-21	pp. 161-254
Week 4: Oct 25-31 	Chapters 22-26	pp. 255-335

Cheers,
Ian

I am loving this writing style. It's so immersive and atmospheric.
Here's my prediction for the rest of the book:

I'm guessing that Rachel is going to try and kill Philip, 'cause there's no way she didn't kill Ambrose. First she'll try to get him to marry her so she can get into the will, and if that doesn't work, she'll try and drive him crazy in hopes of him being unfit for denying anything and that'll possibly mean his guardian takes over and puts her in the will. I don't really believe Philip can stay out of her womanly wiles, so Louisa (I think that's her name) will be the one to snap him out of it, and in the nick of time too.

Or I could be totally wrong :)

The Damsel in the Library wrote: "I am loving this writing style. It's so immersive and atmospheric.
Here's my prediction for the rest of the book:

I'm guessing that Rachel is going to try and kill Philip, 'cause there's no way sh..."

I could visualize all that happening. It would fit with the Gothic theme and I admit there is something suspicious about Ambrose’s death. I do also wonder at the last line in Ch. 8 and the resemblance between Rachel and the begger woman. Was Rachel in disguise looking for Phillip?

At the same time another part of me wants the root for Rachel. Partially because I find Phillip unlikeable and he does have a lot of biased opinions against Rachel. So a part of me wants Rachel to be innocent and make Phillip look like a fool. The so called condemning letters could have been a mind made delirious by illness.

I do foresee the possibility of Phillip entering a relationship with Rachel but I still wonder will Rachel or Phillip be the villain?

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audible. I found it a mesmerizing story.

I started this book today. So far, I like this read. Enjoy Reading,📚

I finished today and really enjoyed it.

I have concluded reading My Cousin Rachel. I gave it 5 stars and added it to my favorite list. It was beyond expectation. Enjoy Reading,📚

Follow my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1....

I still have a few chapters left, but I'm really liking it!

I have a 6 week old baby so my reading time is limited, but I am halfway through and like it so far.

I finished it the other day and I really enjoyed it. I'll post my review for it on my Substack in a few days.
A couple of questions for those who finished:
(view spoiler)[Do you think Rachel was poisoning Philip?
Did she come to England with the hope of getting the money?
I personally think "yes" to both of those questions, though she may have started to change her mind toward the end of the book. (hide spoiler)]

The Damsel in the Library wrote: "I finished it the other day and I really enjoyed it. I'll post my review for it on my Substack in a few days.
A couple of questions for those who finished:
Do you think Rachel was poisoning Philip?..."

I agree with you on your observations. Enjoy Reading,📚

Here's the review I did, in case anyone is interested:

https://damselinthelibrary.substack.c...

I really enjoyed this one! I wouldn't have read it anytime soon had it not been BOTM here. It was on par with Rebecca for me. Inspired to watch the Olivia DeHavilland/Richard Burton film now.

Burton plays an amazing Philip. You won't be disappointed, Helene.
And here's my review of My Cousin Rachel
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...