Listen free for 30 days
-
Rebecca
- Narrated by: Anna Massey
- Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £22.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Jamaica Inn
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jamaica Inn stands alone on Bodmin Moor, stark and forbidding, its walls tainted with corruption. Young Mary Yellon soon learns of her uncle Joss Merlyn's strange trade here. But does he deal in blacker secrets still?
-
-
A grand story..narration not so grand
- By Jeremy P. James on 24-08-11
-
Frenchman's Creek
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: John Castle
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking peace of mind, Lady Donna de Colomb flees the stews of London and the Restoration court for remote Navaron. There she finds the boundless passion her spirit craves - daring to love the pirate hunted by all Cornwall.
-
-
A pure delight
- By Anne on 25-05-11
-
My Cousin Rachel: Film Tie-In Edition
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Jonathan Pryce, Roger Michell
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ambrose Ashley, Philip's cousin, guardian, and god, married Rachel in Italy and died there. Jealous of his marriage and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin's widow with hatred in his heart.
-
-
Intriguing, atmospheric mystery
- By S. Dempsey on 23-06-13
-
Mary Anne
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Anne knew the grinding heel of poverty, and determined it would never grind her again. With beauty, brains, ambition, and the glittering decadence of Regency London to sustain her, she chose the only route that could take a cockney girl to the top, as mistress to the Royal Duke of York. But soon she provoked a scandal that rocked the country, placed the Duke on trial before Parliament, and risked losing Mary Anne everything.
-
-
Wonderfullly written and narrated
- By Rush on 04-07-08
-
The Bell Jar
- By: Sylvia Plath
- Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Read by the critically acclaimed actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. When Esther Greenwood wins an internship at a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther's life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into depression and eventually a suicide attempt as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take women's aspirations seriously.
-
-
THIS IS NOT UNABRIDGED
- By Bryony on 09-09-15
-
Rebecca's Tale
- By: Sally Beauman
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson, Robert Powell
- Length: 18 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
April 1951. It is twenty years since the death of Rebecca, the beautiful first wife of Maxim de Winter. It is twenty years since the inquest, which famously - and controversially - passed a verdict of suicide. Twenty years since Manderley, the de Winters' ancient family seat, was razed to the ground. But Rebecca's tale is just beginning... This is Sally Beauman's companion to Daphne du Maurier's classic tale, Rebecca.
-
-
Excellent sequel to Rebecca
- By Chickie747 on 26-08-15
-
Jamaica Inn
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Tony Britton
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jamaica Inn stands alone on Bodmin Moor, stark and forbidding, its walls tainted with corruption. Young Mary Yellon soon learns of her uncle Joss Merlyn's strange trade here. But does he deal in blacker secrets still?
-
-
A grand story..narration not so grand
- By Jeremy P. James on 24-08-11
-
Frenchman's Creek
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: John Castle
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeking peace of mind, Lady Donna de Colomb flees the stews of London and the Restoration court for remote Navaron. There she finds the boundless passion her spirit craves - daring to love the pirate hunted by all Cornwall.
-
-
A pure delight
- By Anne on 25-05-11
-
My Cousin Rachel: Film Tie-In Edition
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Jonathan Pryce, Roger Michell
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ambrose Ashley, Philip's cousin, guardian, and god, married Rachel in Italy and died there. Jealous of his marriage and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin's widow with hatred in his heart.
-
-
Intriguing, atmospheric mystery
- By S. Dempsey on 23-06-13
-
Mary Anne
- By: Daphne du Maurier
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mary Anne knew the grinding heel of poverty, and determined it would never grind her again. With beauty, brains, ambition, and the glittering decadence of Regency London to sustain her, she chose the only route that could take a cockney girl to the top, as mistress to the Royal Duke of York. But soon she provoked a scandal that rocked the country, placed the Duke on trial before Parliament, and risked losing Mary Anne everything.
-
-
Wonderfullly written and narrated
- By Rush on 04-07-08
-
The Bell Jar
- By: Sylvia Plath
- Narrated by: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Read by the critically acclaimed actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. When Esther Greenwood wins an internship at a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther's life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into depression and eventually a suicide attempt as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take women's aspirations seriously.
-
-
THIS IS NOT UNABRIDGED
- By Bryony on 09-09-15
-
Rebecca's Tale
- By: Sally Beauman
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson, Robert Powell
- Length: 18 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
April 1951. It is twenty years since the death of Rebecca, the beautiful first wife of Maxim de Winter. It is twenty years since the inquest, which famously - and controversially - passed a verdict of suicide. Twenty years since Manderley, the de Winters' ancient family seat, was razed to the ground. But Rebecca's tale is just beginning... This is Sally Beauman's companion to Daphne du Maurier's classic tale, Rebecca.
-
-
Excellent sequel to Rebecca
- By Chickie747 on 26-08-15
-
A Town Like Alice
- By: Nevil Shute
- Narrated by: Robin Bailey
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jean Paget is just twenty years old and working in Malaya when the Japanese invasion begins. When she is captured she joins a group of other European women and children whom the Japanese force to march for miles through the jungle. While on the march, the group run into some Australian prisoners, one of whom, Joe Harman, helps them steal some food, and is horrifically punished by the Japanese as a result.
-
-
A long time favourite story brilliantly told
- By Seonaid on 11-07-15
-
The Scapegoat
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Paul Shelley
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Daphne du Maurier's The Scapegoat is a classic tale of stolen identity. As dark as it is witty, it introduces listeners to the gloomy and despondent character of John the Englishman. When by chance, John comes face to face with his French doppelgänger, Jean, his bewilderment is quickly replaced with envy. Realising that Jean is in possession of everything he lacks but has always desired, he assumes the identity of his look-a-like, leaving his old, tedious life behind.
-
-
Brilliant and gripping
- By Cat on 09-05-16
-
The Handmaid's Tale
- By: Margaret Atwood
- Narrated by: Elisabeth Moss, Bradley Whitford, Amy Landecker, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs. Brilliantly conceived and executed, this powerful evocation of 21st-century America gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit and astute perception.
-
-
Absolutely Incredible
- By Emma on 01-10-19
-
The End of the Affair
- By: Graham Greene
- Narrated by: Colin Firth
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Audie Award Winner, Audiobook of the Year, 2013. Audie Award Nominee, Best Solo Narration, 2013. Graham Greene’s evocative analysis of the love of self, the love of another, and the love of God is an English classic that has been translated for the stage, the screen, and even the opera house. Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth (The King's Speech, A Single Man) turns in an authentic and stirring performance for this distinguished audio release.
-
-
Depressing story but beautifully performed
- By Dr on 31-10-16
-
The King's General
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the skeleton of a young cavalier was found by William Rashleigh at Daphne du Maurier's beloved mansion, Menabilly, she once again found inspiration in her surroundings. Putting pen to paper, Daphne created The King's General, a historical tale which takes place during the English Civil War and introduces one of du Maurier's greatest heroines: Honor Harris. Honor is a beautiful, brave and kind protagonist, a true embodiment of the name by which she goes.
-
-
The King's General
- By Maureen on 22-10-08
-
The Pickwick Papers
- The Audible Dickens Collection
- By: Charles Dickens, Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: Rory Kinnear, Neil Gaiman
- Length: 32 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Samuel Pickwick decides to establish and preside over a travelling society, he unknowingly brings together three of the oddest men in all of London: Tracy Tupman, the loveless self-professed ladies’ man, Augustus Snodgrass, the poet who’s never put pen to paper, and Nathaniel Winkle, the endlessly clumsy sportsman. The ‘Pickwickians’ set off in search of new adventures outside of the confines of the city. Along with a host of other colourful Dickensian characters such as Mr Pickwick’s love-struck landlady, Mrs Bardell, and his trusty sidekick, Sam Weller.
-
-
Sir! My dear sir!
- By Adam on 02-02-20
-
The Rendezvous and Other Stories
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Edward De Souza
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Each story in The Rendezvous and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier explores a different human emotion. Narrated by Edward de Souza, this Audible Exclusive has something that will appeal to any mood....
-
-
Lost for words..."the best production I have ever listened to"
- By CaWa on 16-10-15
-
Wuthering Heights
- By: Emily Brontë
- Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
- Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Published a year before her death at the age of 30, Emily Bronte's only novel is set in the wild, bleak Yorkshire Moors. Depicting the relationship of Cathy and Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights creates a world of its own, conceived with an instinct for poetry and for the dark depths of human psychology. Emily Jane Bronte was born July 30, 1818 at Thornton in Yorkshire. Emily's mother died in 1821 and her two eldest sisters died in 1825, leaving Emily, her brother and two sisters to be raised by their aunt. Later all three daughters were to publish poems and stories.
-
The Parasites
- By: Daphné du Maurier
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With talented parents comes the burden of continuing the line of accomplishment, as Maria, Niall and Celia know all too well. The siblings subsequently formed a bond so profound that their lives constantly have a tremendous impact on those around them, this includes Maria’s husband, Charles - a gentleman who has been sucked into the parasitic world of the Delaney’s.
-
-
A bit disappointing
- By Rush on 31-07-09
-
Rutherford Park
- A Novel
- By: Elizabeth Cooke
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Sastre
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lady of the house Octavia Cavendish lives like a bird in a gilded cage. With her family’s fortune, her husband, William, has made significant additions to the estate, but he too feels bound - by the obligations of his title as well as his vows. Their son, Harry, is expected to follow in his footsteps, but the boy has dreams of his own, like pursuing the new adventure of aerial flight. Meanwhile, below stairs, a housemaid named Emily holds a secret that could undo the Cavendish name.
-
Nicholas Nickleby
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: David Horovitch
- Length: 38 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Dickens’ earlier novels, dating from 1839, it charts the fortunes of an honorable young man, Nicholas Nickleby, who has set out to make his way in the world. Dickens presents his remarkably vivid display of Victorian characters and the life they lead, from the generous to the fated to the crushed. Hope springs eternal, however, and righteous persistence brings rewards.
-
-
A wondrous performance
- By C.Z.Schipa on 10-04-15
-
Where the Crawdads Sing
- By: Delia Owens
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For years, rumors of the 'Marsh Girl' have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life - until the unthinkable happens.
-
-
Oh my word...
- By Private on 09-05-20
Summary
Exclusively from Audible
'Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.'
So begins Daphne du Maurier's masterpiece, Rebecca. When the story's nameless narrator, a young and unassuming lady's maid, meets a wealthy and handsome widower, she is immediately swept off her feet in what many would've considered an unlikely 20th century match. Maxim de Winter, the owner of a large country estate by the name of Manderley, whisks his new bride away to his home in Cornwall, hoping to rid himself of his sinister past. As the heroine begins her new life at Manderley, she comes to the realisation that the shadow of her predecessor, Rebecca de Winter, lives on through the masonry of the home and through the stern and scathing housekeeper, Mrs Danvers.
A tense and unnerving tale, Rebecca depicts the crippling effect that self-doubt and external manipulation can have on a young and innocent woman's spirit. Due to her own feelings of jealousy, du Maurier based the tale on her husband's first fiancée, claiming that Rebecca would demonstrate the 'influence of a first wife on a second', where 'wife two is haunted day and night' and 'tragedy is looming very close.' Much like her heroine, Daphne du Maurier was said to be solitary, comfortable with her own company and possessed of an incredible imagination. First and foremost, however, du Maurier was an excellent storyteller, and Rebecca is undoubtedly a shining example of her talent.
Narrator Biography
Anna Massey was an award-winning stage and screen actress best remembered for her roles in Peeping Tom, Frenzy, The Machinist, Possession and The Importance of Being Earnest.
On the small screen, Anna became a mainstay of British costume drama, acting in adaptations of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Anna Karenina, The Cherry Orchard, and Oliver Twist. In 1986, she won a BAFTA for her performance in the BBC adaptation of Hotel du Lac and was made a CBE in the 2004 New Year Honours List.
Her audiobook narration credits include Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Hotel du Lac, Nicholas Nickleby, Fairy Stories and Talking Heads.
More from the same
What listeners say about Rebecca
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Antagonist
- 30-06-13
A classic story of love and life.
A true wonder in the world of the others. Rebecca transports you to a world of decadence, to a world of a young girl who falls in love with an older man. She follows him home but finds there is a skeleton in the closet and that skeleton nearly destroys her world. More twists and turns than a ride at Alton Towers.
Well read and played out. You are transported into the lives of the characters and feel an affinity to the main characters.
42 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Karen
- 28-06-12
What a treat...
This is an aural feast; Daphne Du Maurier's superb, atmospheric storytelling combined with Anna Massey's wonderful narration. It has been my constant companion for the past few days, as I snatch time wherever I can to follow the journey of the unnamed second Mrs de Winter through her life at Manderley. It's a story I know well, of course, from the classic film, but I have never read the book. Now it's all coming to life in my head - the sunlit morning room, the air of menace in the cove, the scent of the rose garden and, over it all, the brooding presence of Mrs Danvers, simultaneously repelling and fascinating our shy and puzzled protagonist. I may know the plot, but now it is being fleshed out so vividly that I could almost imagine that I can turn a corner and find myself in the mysterious West Wing at Manderley and encounter the spirit of Rebecca. Absolutely fantastic stuff.
35 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Mamieknits
- 13-04-13
Rebecca
Anna Massey has the perfect voice to narrate this book. Her voice expresses just the right amount of menace for the sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers.
An excellent choice for listening to while sipping a cool drink in the sunshine. I have awarded it five stars and it is worth them all. A super audio book.
I listened to it last summer while sitting in the sun doing my knitting - perfect!
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Suz
- 04-08-13
Eerily beautiful
Any additional comments?
This was a deliciously eerie 'get-away', the story itself a classic and the very solid narration of Anna Massey made it a wonderful experience. An easy, yet a little gloomy listen which takes one back to the 'good old days'..
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Kitty
- 20-07-11
A classic in the true sense
I have seen the film many times but never read the book - so pleased I finally have. This is a true classic - suspense and intreague - you truly feel for the young Mrs De Winter and can understand all the twists and turns and know it could be no other way. I know I will revisit this again and again - the classic draw of Mandalay......
Well recommended - and the internal question - what is her first name ?
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- A M.
- 09-12-12
what a great story.
If anyone is looking for a classic novel, then Rebecca is the one for you. I thought it was wonderful. An atmospheric tale of intrigue and romance with beautifully defined characters and a taut narrative that will hold your attention from beginning to end. As fresh and compelling as the day it was written.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- E
- 09-04-13
Firm Favorite
This has always been a book I return to again and again, the story never fails to please after many times of reading it. The added bonus of having the delightful narration of Anna Massey is a joy. I am once agin transported from the south of France to the rugged coast of Cornwall with the ever-present Rebbeca hovering in the background of the story. Lovely easy listen and I will without doubt listen again and again!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Steph H
- 02-11-19
Amazing
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I love the writing which has an almost mesmeric quality to it, but then I find the new Mrs Dr Winter so annoying at times, she has no guts in the beginning. Yes yes I know that this is more of a coming of age story for her and you experience her growing up over a short time, but she's still annoying. Maxim De Winter comes across as so harsh too at first, he can be really quite unpleasant and yet she fawns all over him. Obviously he is suffering from PTSD, and once they actually start communicating with each other it's much better.
Anna Massey does an amazing job with the reading, really excellent voices for each character and her use of pace and power is brilliant.
Overall I love it and will definitely listen to this again and again.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kathleen
- 15-08-18
Narrator didn’t suit the character
I thought the narrator was good but not right for this book, I didn’t think her voice suited the main character’s personality.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Veronica
- 25-09-11
Atmospheric
'Rebecca' is one of my favourite novels and I couldn't resist buying this audiobook to listen to Anna Massey's narration. I wasn't disappointed as she gives an excellent reading with distinctive voices for all the characters, Mrs Danvers and Beatrice being particularly good.
'Rebecca' is a brilliant novel. The descriptive writing is beautiful and full of memorable images, and the plot goes in several surprising directions before a haunting ending. I'm glad to have this book in my audiobook library and will definitely listen to it again in the future.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 26-05-10
Riveting
This was my first purchase from Audible and I selected this book because I kept seeing its title on lists of great novels. The first few minutes contained lots and lots of descriptions but I was still hooked. Every time I would walk my dog, ride in my car, clean the kitchen or iron I would listen and I must say I was never bored a minute. The reader was awesome!! She had so many different voices that it was like being at a play. If you like romance and mystery then you should give this a try. I did not like the way the book ended very much, but I love how hooked I became to the plot right up until the last minute. I just purchased my second book and the bar is set very high after "Rebecca", I hope it can measure up!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- bebe
- 17-04-10
one of my all time favorites
I first read Rebecca when I was in high school and was completely absorbed in the story. Now, over forty years later, I can still remember how fascinated I was reading the book. When I ran across the title while browsing Audible.com, I decided to purchase it to see if the book still held the same power and delights. It did. The story line is gripping - the personality and mystery of Rebecca creep over all like a heavy mist. The reader is excelleent - her tone is just right for the story and her expression is top notch. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job. One thing I still find interesting about this book is that the main "living" character (the narrator) is never given a name, which makes it difficult to refer to her. I believe the reason for this is to make Rebecca an even more overwhelming presence. Rebecca dominates the book, but the narrator is the person I love. If you like Jane Eyre, you will also like this book. The atmosphere created in both books is similar. Rebecca is truly a great book and this is truly a great audible version.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- John R Myers
- 31-12-10
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley...
To me, "Rebecca" was one of those stories that, "I'd seen the movie" and just wasn't interested in reading the novel. Then, I saw the novel in one of those, "One hundred books that you should read" and that sparked an interest in me. I must say I was blown away not only by Du Maurier's story telling abilities, but also her beautiful writing prose.
The narration by Anna Massey is superb. She makes the story her own. I can't imagine anyone else narrating this novel.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Dawn Cooper
- 03-09-10
Now that's what I'm talking about
This type of book was exactly what I think audible.com was invented to provide. The traditionally trained british speaker made this classic absolutely delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Bex
- 17-01-11
Wonderful!
Rebecca is a must read, a classic. I have watched the movie many times (directed by Alfred Hitchcock), and I finally decided to see if there was more to the story. I can honestly say that there isn't that much that the movie left out! The majority of the dialogue from the movie is word-for-word as written by Du Maurier.
Read, listen, watch...or do all three!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- EB
- 16-12-10
Can't say enough
The wonderful Anna Massey does a fabulous job reading this book. Never mind that I'd read it before, and seen the movie and every miniseries the BBC has ever churned out using this story--including the one from the 70s starring Anna Massey. When Massey started reading, I was as captivated as if I'd never heard the story before. She captures all the characters perfectly and lends the story a depth I hadn't really picked up before. The elegiac first chapters resonate through the rest of the book. Another reviewer said that this is the kind of project that Audible was made for, and I agree. It's the perfect marriage of narrator and novel.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- T.
- 10-01-12
You never know what's going on, which is great!
I loved that I never quite knew what was going on. I loved the young heroine's insights into her own naivete. I loved the constant stream of unexpected character twists. And I loved the narrator - she did a beautiful job with presenting us with a young girl who was alternately insecure, full of life, thrilled with first-love excitement, grappling with duties that intimidated her, mystified and hurt by her new husband's demeanor, haunted by a past she was surrounded by yet knew very little about, shocked by rapidly unfolding events, and, eventually, wise. This story is so much more than a mystery. It is a deeply satisfying read on many levels beyond mere plot.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- David
- 11-10-11
Practically written to be directed by Hitchcock
I can see why this creepy mystery is a classic: it combines the gothic atmosphere of Jane Eyre with the suspense of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller. The young bride of Maxim de Winter is brought back to his English estate, Manderley, after a whirlwind courtship, and finds the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, lingering over everything. Young, insecure, unsure of herself, she is easily cowed by the domineering housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, who resents the woman usurping her mistress's place.
The mystery of Rebecca is nicely maintained throughout the book. Who was she, what kind of a woman was she, and how did she die? Even when the big revelations come, the story isn't over, as there are several more plot twists skillfully spun out right up to the end.
Two things made me enjoy it less. The first is the protagonist, who's basically a timid ingenue with barely any will of her own. She's completely dominated first by her employer, then by her older husband, and then by her catty, vindictive housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. She spends most of her time tormenting herself with what she imagines everyone else is thinking about her, and when she finally starts taking a tiny bit of initiative, she's still completely self-involved. As for Max de Winter, well, du Maurier is writing in the grand old Brontë tradition of creepy, abusive control-freaks being portrayed as romantic.
The second thing I didn't enjoy was the long, tedious descriptions of everything: Manderley, the cliffs, the furniture, the flowers and vases, the clothes, the meals, etc. A little descriptive detail is great; a little more can be described as "lush"; Rebecca is just plain wordy. Along with the narrator's long, tedious internal monologues, this book really seemed to drag in places. I was eager to get to the climax and the unveiling of all secrets, and relieved once it was over.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Paddington
- 14-05-11
great classic
I enjoyed this book very much. It was a wonderful depiction of the times and influence of class on people’s lives. It kept my interest as the story unfolded and quite unexpected truths were revealed. I wished it continued so that I would know what happened to the characters. I felt like I wanted to wish the central characters well after all they had been through. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Nathaniel
- 01-01-11
Daphne Du Maurier
I enjoyed listening to Rebecca. I was not familiar with the story before and I had heard many good things about it and was curious. I don't know if I would listen to this story again, however. After listening to the book I watched the movie and although they are not completely the same - I felt justice was done. I would suggest anyone who is curious about this story to watch the movie first and if they REALLY want to use a credit to get the audiobook go for it!
1 person found this helpful