Rebecca Initial Thoughts
To start, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I have often said that Gothic fiction is one of my favourite, if not favourite, genres. It has been so since I was about 16 years old. This is when I studied the genre more closely with novels like Frankenstein, Dracula and The Bloody Chamber being featured prominently in my college essays. Well, it has been a while since I have had to look into these books and I have only recently gotten out of a 3 year book slump. With this new reading spirit (or demon since I have neglected all other areas of my life in the pursuit of books) I have finally picked up Rebecca after it has sat collecting dust on my shelves for enough time. I knew from the opening that I would enjoy this novel.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
This quote already evokes such desire, longing, despair. Even the word Manderley makes me think of a melody. This melancholy feeling did continue throughout the novel and I think it drew me closer to the protagonist. She was relatable to a younger version of me. As it stands right now, I have been feeling a little more anxious in life and I think reading this really felt like I was being understood. There were so many parts where I was nodding vigorously at what I was reading. Almost as it to say “I totally get you, I feel/have felt like that too”.
Speaking of melancholy, just look at this quote: “If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.” Ugh, so beautiful. We have all been transported by scent and this feeling of leaning into old memories are so common, yet, Daphne du Maurier explores it in such a quiet and intimate way.
There is so much more I could say but this should suffice for now.