Rebecca follows the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter from the time she meets Maxim in Monte Carlo through the rough first year of their marriage. Set at Manderley on the Cornish coast, the new Mrs. de Winter must contend with the overwhelming presence of the first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca, kept alive by the creepy housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. The new Mrs. de Winter becomes obsessed with Rebecca and everything to do with her while also struggling to step out of her shadow.

I actually found that it took me longer to read Rebecca than it did with Paige Harbison’s New Girl. I am not sure exactly why - I think it was mostly just a slow reading week for me.

I would not have known about Rebecca if it were not for reading Cristina’s (The Princess of Storyland) review of New Girl. I had no idea it was a young adult retelling of a classic. Beyond that, Cristina recommended that I watch Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, Rebecca, so I did. I enjoyed both Daphne du Maurier’s book and the movie. And if you are wondering, yes, I believe Paige Harbison’s version keeps true to the original while making it modern and available to a younger crowd.

If you have read New Girl, you need to read Rebecca and vice versa. In Rebecca, the new Mrs. de Winter’s first name is never revealed and in du Maurier’s Author’s Note, I learned why: she simply could not think of one. I found that interesting because the lack of a name seems like such a good plot device.

Recommended for lovers of classics and anyone who has read New Girl. Also, I found out there is another book based on Rebecca called Rebecca’s Tale by Sally Beauman.

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Daphne du Maurier was born into a well-known and well-established family. She grew up as a privileged young woman with time for sailing and writing stories. Her first novel was published when she was in her twenties. Her other novels include Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, The House on the Strand, and The Birds and Other Stories. She was married to Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Browning.

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