This book first caught my eye somewhere around 2018 when Emma Watson shared it on her book club. At the time, I thought “yeah, I might read that” but of course I never did. A few years after that I saw it on a teaching-friends shelf and asked her about it. She didn’t care for it much and said I could have it. A few more years went by and I finally got the nerve to pick it up and whew!! I am so glad I did. I was immediately captured by the opening chapter and even had to reread it a few times.

Rebecca is about a young woman who becomes the second wife of the wealthy Maxim de Winter. She becomes the new Mrs. de Winter and joins her husband at the Manderley mansion. She struggles to adapt to her new role as the lady of the house, and the housekeeper’s, Mrs. Danvers, meticulous preservation of Rebecca de Winter, Maxim’s late wife, makes it that much harder to fit into her new life. Secrets bubble to the surface and the new Mrs. Winter finds herself questioning what she knows about her husband and the life she is trying to build begins to ebb away.

One of the things I found intriguing about this book, and that made me continue to give it a second look, was the idea of “romantic suspense”. I wondered how it would be possible to blend such defined and traditionally different genres. After reading Rebecca and even Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier I completely understand how these two genres are able to work together and… I love it.

It brings the hardships and pain of love and melds it with the dreadful feelings of suspense and fear. After a first chapter like that, you are already feeling the suspense, but as that builds along with the mystery of the first Mrs. de Winter, you follow Maxim and the new Mrs. de Winter as they fall in love and work towards their own sense of happiness. If you are like me and questioning how these two work together, give it a try and then tell me you’ve been convinced.

One of the strongest themes in this novel is the difference between a good and evil woman. [POTENTIAL SPOILERS ahead!] Rebecca, the first wife, was cruel and ran her home with fear and manipulation, while Mrs. de Winter is anything but. Although her kindness kept her meek for a while, as she learned the truth about Manderley and Maxim, she found her voice and discovered her own way of running the household without forfeiting the values of humble beginnings and gentleness towards others. Both women showcase the choices we have in how we carry ourselves and the impacts those choices have on those around us.

Rebecca also fascinated me because the main character never has a first name. At first, I thought I’d just missed it, but she is only ever referred to as Madam or Mrs. de Winter. This further enhanced the separation between the first wife Rebecca and the central character because her anonymity in name added to her initial lack of place and strength. Rebecca lives on in name and presence, while Mrs. de Winter slips into the shadows and recesses of Manderly hall, unnamed and easily forgotten.

I know I will continue to return to the gardens and hallowed halls of Manderley to sit beside the library fire with Maxim and Mrs. de Winter. So, if you want to read something dark, romantic, and classically suspenseful, read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. It will not disappoint. And if you like Rebecca, check out Jamaica Inn next. 

Plus, February is the month of love, so why not mix a little suspense with your romance? 

Happy reading.

Hear a reading of the first chapter on Youtube (and my thoughts)!