You know, I'm beginning to find it a lot easier to tackle classics through read-alongs. It's nice to have the support of other people who are reading the same book. I find it keeps me going, especially when the reading gets tough! In the case of Rebecca, the reading was super engaging but it's always more fun to read together.
I know that there are probably some of you out there that have a fear of the classics. I know that there are some books that even just thinking about them gives you cold feet. I know that there are definitely books like that for me, which is why I'm beginning to love tackling the classics through read-alongs. Rebecca was one of those books that gave me cold feet (I wasn't sure how I felt about a gothic romance... mostly because I hadn't really read many before. Hey, no one said our book fears have to be rational). Anyhow, while I'm glad that I did the read-along, I would have been just fine on my own. Rebecca is compulsively readable. I didn't want to take any breaks with this book (darn work for getting in the way).
This is the kind of book that you break out the big mug for because you're going to be so engaged in the book that you aren't going to want to get up out of your chair to refill your coffee/tea/other tasty beverage. From the very beginning, this book grabs you. It's not hard to see why this book is a classic (it is also not hard to see why I'm ready to go out and buy du Maurier's other books).
The heroine (she's never given a name! What does it all mean???) falls fast and hard for Max de Winter. They're married and they go back to his home in England. And the comparisons to Rebecca, the first Mrs. de Winter begin. Obviously the heroine starts having a little bit of anxiety because she's so worried about either living up to or delineating herself from Rebecca. I really felt for her. Who wouldn't be upset about constantly being compared to someone else, dead or alive?
This book has just the right of mystery and intrigue to light your senses. You're in for a great story!
Bottom line: Don't fear this classic. Just read and thank me later!
This is the kind of book that you break out the big mug for because you're going to be so engaged in the book that you aren't going to want to get up out of your chair to refill your coffee/tea/other tasty beverage. From the very beginning, this book grabs you. It's not hard to see why this book is a classic (it is also not hard to see why I'm ready to go out and buy du Maurier's other books).
The heroine (she's never given a name! What does it all mean???) falls fast and hard for Max de Winter. They're married and they go back to his home in England. And the comparisons to Rebecca, the first Mrs. de Winter begin. Obviously the heroine starts having a little bit of anxiety because she's so worried about either living up to or delineating herself from Rebecca. I really felt for her. Who wouldn't be upset about constantly being compared to someone else, dead or alive?
This book has just the right of mystery and intrigue to light your senses. You're in for a great story!
Bottom line: Don't fear this classic. Just read and thank me later!
Rebecca is my all-time favorite book! The characterization is just so compelling to me. You really feel for the new Mrs. de Winter. I have also read Jamaica Inn and it too is dark, perhaps more so than Rebecca. I didn't do the read along, but I can assure you that Rebecca is worth it. I'm so glad my high school English teacher suggested it to me.
ReplyDeleteI really, really liked it. I'm ready to read more by du Maurier. My Cousin Rachel is next on my list.
DeleteI loved Rebecca when I read it for a library book club. I totally identified with the main character throughout the entire story. However, I read My Cousin Rachel afterwards and it was even better!
ReplyDeleteMy Cousin Rachel is the next du Maurier on my list.
DeleteDon't fear the Classic! Love it! I have read some pretty bad ones through the years but still like to give them try. This is one that I have been told for years was such a good read. So glad I read it and glad you did with me!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I get so nervous about classics. Most of the ones that I've read I've really loved.
DeleteI've always wanted to do a 'read-along' but I never seem to find out about them until they are almost over. I also feel like I should read Rebecca at some point. My niece read it last year and loved it, and I recently read 'New Girl' which is supposed to be a retelling of Rebecca, so I really should add it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteAww, just keep your eyes peeled. There's a lot of blogs that do read-alongs. The next one I'll be participating in is The Importance of Being Earnest with Unputdownables.
DeleteNew Girl has been on my TBR for a little bit.