I think the fact that she started with no name and then became mrs de winter in name then by the end she’s mrs de winter in action too is a sort of character development. I definitely had a few “what an i supposed to call her” moments in the first half!
Just finished reading this today. It was a pick from my book club. Never in a million years would I have selected this book, and I absolutely loved it! Thanks for your video review.
my all time favorite book, I've been reading it for the past 50 years, at least 3 times, plus I've seen every movie available, there are at least 3, but I think maybe more.
You're the second person I've heard get upset at how she doesn't stand up for herself. I think the realism is what keeps me from being upset about it. I have definitely read books where I'm screaming, "Just talk to each other!" But this isn't just plot device. If anything, i blame Maxim the most. He "did do a very selfish thing" not by marrying her, but by treating her terribly and not even bothering to fire his late wife's evil housekeeper. Or to train his staff properly or prepare her properly and try to get her actual opinion. He was far too deep into his own misery and brought her as a trinket that made him feel better, not as a wife, as an equal. I relate to the main character so much and it feels so real to me and I think, "well now I would have said something" but, back when I was a teenager or first married and trying to make a good impression on everyone, I behaved similarly. I definitely let things slide that I should not have, in retrospect. I also daydreamed a lot about what could be if i was different and make these scenarios in my head just like she did. The main character is so small in her own mind and that is why we do not see or hear her first name. But if we want to go by what Daphne said about it, she just couldn't think of a good enough one.😂
I read it in the 1970s, when I was in middle school. I think your annoyance at the second Mrs. de Winter's diffidence is a function of a contemporary American vs. a 1930s Englishwoman. You are reacting to her with a modern reference--I believe that readers in the 1930s would have found her shyness less remarkable. While I agree with you that the character's misinterpretation of the persona of Rebecca is relatable to us now, I don't believe you paid tribute to the foreshadowing the author gives us, the reader, throughout the book. If you re-read it, as I have countless times, the clues are suddenly obvious. The author actual gives us the opportunity to know the truth before the end, and we are also left thinking "how did I not see it before?" just like the heroine.
This is really interesting, and makes sense. Thank you for sharing this context! I will keep this in mind and pick up this book again. One of the reasons I love posting here, viewers can see additional feedback or opinions of a book, and we can learn from viewers like you that have some additional knowledge/context :) Thank you!
I think the fact that she started with no name and then became mrs de winter in name then by the end she’s mrs de winter in action too is a sort of character development. I definitely had a few “what an i supposed to call her” moments in the first half!
Just finished reading this today. It was a pick from my book club. Never in a million years would I have selected this book, and I absolutely loved it! Thanks for your video review.
Absolutely welcome!
I read it years ago! ❤ Definitely time to read of this favorite again!
my all time favorite book, I've been reading it for the past 50 years, at least 3 times, plus I've seen every movie available, there are at least 3, but I think maybe more.
You're the second person I've heard get upset at how she doesn't stand up for herself. I think the realism is what keeps me from being upset about it. I have definitely read books where I'm screaming, "Just talk to each other!" But this isn't just plot device. If anything, i blame Maxim the most. He "did do a very selfish thing" not by marrying her, but by treating her terribly and not even bothering to fire his late wife's evil housekeeper. Or to train his staff properly or prepare her properly and try to get her actual opinion. He was far too deep into his own misery and brought her as a trinket that made him feel better, not as a wife, as an equal.
I relate to the main character so much and it feels so real to me and I think, "well now I would have said something" but, back when I was a teenager or first married and trying to make a good impression on everyone, I behaved similarly. I definitely let things slide that I should not have, in retrospect. I also daydreamed a lot about what could be if i was different and make these scenarios in my head just like she did.
The main character is so small in her own mind and that is why we do not see or hear her first name. But if we want to go by what Daphne said about it, she just couldn't think of a good enough one.😂
Not only does she misunderstand but she makes it worse a lot of times too through the overthinking
I’ve read Rebecca at least twice. I think I wavered between 4-5 stars and I’m not sure where I landed.
I read it in the 1970s, when I was in middle school. I think your annoyance at the second Mrs. de Winter's diffidence is a function of a contemporary American vs. a 1930s Englishwoman. You are reacting to her with a modern reference--I believe that readers in the 1930s would have found her shyness less remarkable. While I agree with you that the character's misinterpretation of the persona of Rebecca is relatable to us now, I don't believe you paid tribute to the foreshadowing the author gives us, the reader, throughout the book. If you re-read it, as I have countless times, the clues are suddenly obvious. The author actual gives us the opportunity to know the truth before the end, and we are also left thinking "how did I not see it before?" just like the heroine.
This is really interesting, and makes sense. Thank you for sharing this context! I will keep this in mind and pick up this book again. One of the reasons I love posting here, viewers can see additional feedback or opinions of a book, and we can learn from viewers like you that have some additional knowledge/context :) Thank you!