A great article in The Scotsman called Manderley Revisited deals with Daphne du Maurier, whose one hundredth birthday is coming up on May 13. The article suggests in a couple of places that Rebecca is a twist on Jane Eyre. I can see that. (Spoilers coming. You've been warned.) In Rebecca the unnamed Jane figure actually marries the Rochester figure and learns the secret of the first wife later. There's a fire, and the Jane figure becomes caretaker to the Rochester figure.
Now that it's been pointed out to me, I can see the parallels.
The writer of the article talks about reading Rebecca as a teenager. (At the time, I liked it more than I liked Jane Eyre.) These days, while I often read about Jane Eyre, I don't hear a lot about Rebecca. Unless, of course, the BBC has done a new production that is scooped up by Masterpiece Theatre.
I don't see the second Mrs. de Winter as being as powerful a figure as Jane Eyre, myself. But for teenage girls of a certain generation (or two or three) that was probably her attraction. We were not powerful figures and were delighted to see someone weak and meek like ourselves get the fellow and come out on top in the end. Though I do remember not envying the second Mrs. de Winter her ending. She seemed to be facing a lot of work to me. I have, I guess, always had a lazy streak.
I wonder if today's girls who are reading things like The Gossip Girl or Kiki Strike need to identify with a heroine so bland she doesn't have a name.
Thanks to Blog of a Bookslut for the link.
Well, I did not read your post since I didn't want any spoilers. But in response to your title, I have not yet read it, but it is on my to-read list!
ReplyDeletePost about it when you're done. I'll be interested to see what you think.
ReplyDeleteHave you read either of the sequels, Gail? One by Susan Hill that picks up where the first book ends, and another one, just out, about the FIRST Mrs. deWinter. I remember reading Rebecca in college and being blown away by the heroine's lack of a **spoilered**.
ReplyDeleteI read it in high school, and if by **spoilered** you mean what I think you mean, I'm embarrassed to say I didn't notice. It was pointed out to me years later in either a book group discussion or an article. Now I think it's very significant, though.
ReplyDeleteAnd, no, I haven't read the sequels, though I'd be interested.
I read Rebecca as a teen and remember enjoying the book and the mystery.
ReplyDeleteProbably because of those memories, I read the "first" sequel to Rebecca years ago. It absolutely ruined the original story for me. Bleh...
I will take Jane over Mrs deWinter2 anyday.