Daphne DuMaurier, 1938 Read: 2/9/22
The key point of the story was spoiled for me when I was in Chapter 20 by @sparknotes_ on IG lol Though to be completely honest, I had already guessed it.
There shall be spoilers in this review as well, so don't read it if you don't want to be spoiled.
This novel is very enjoyable and well written. I was drawn into the world and the suspense; I couldn't put it down! I plan to watch the Netflix adaptation soon.
I realized at the end of the novel that the protagonist, Mrs. de Winter, is never actually named. The only Mrs. de Winter addressed by her first name is the dead one. So basically you spend 400 pages with someone you know very little about. And she knows almost nothing about the life she's been thrust into.
Maximilian de Winter (confusingly called Henry in the epilogue) is a strong character with a coherent personality. He had clearly suffered and done things he shouldn't have (like murder his first wife and make it look like an accident). Mrs. Danvers, on the other hand, is a very shallow and one-dimensional character that existed solely as a foil to the unnamed protagonist. A lot more could have been done with her. Also, the “shyness” of the main character is a little over the top—she neglects to tell her husband after Mrs. Danvers attempts to push her into suicide. C'mon. Really?
Anyway, I can see clearly why Hitchcock chose to make a movie of this novel. It was enjoyable to read and truly thrilling at the dénouement.
Time to read: two days
Rereadability: once you know the story, there is no more suspense. It might be interesting to go back and see all the foreshadowing you didn't pick up the first time though.
Classic: YES absolutely
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