Rebecca

[mikey4444]

I have just finished Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, and I enjoyed it so much that I just wanted to share it with everybody !

I have also watched the famous film made of the book, with Olivier, and it differs very much from the book. In the book there is no doubt that Maxim did kill Rebecca, by shooting her. But in this much-talked about film, she sort-of stumbled and hit her head in the boathouse. Until I read the book, I always thought that the film was terribly good but my opinion has gone right down now. I wonder why they choose to alter such an important fact ?
And Mrs Danvers is a much more scary and disturbed character in the book.

Can anyone else recommend any other Du Mauriers ? I have read and enjoyed Jamaica Inn and My Cousin Rachel.

[Sharingan]

I love Daphne du Maurier, apart from Rebecca which I do think is her best work I like My Cousin Rachel and Hungry Hill. I'm more of a Brontes girl myself but Daphne du Maurier is a very close second xx

[mikey4444]

Thanks shari !

[mosesg]

I really enjoyed Rebecca and found it better than the film. Jamaica Inn was excellent, I also read and enjoyed The Frenchman's Creek.

[naomi24]

Love Rebecca! A true classic.

As well as those others have mentioned, you might want to try 'The House on the Strand'.

[mrsweasley]

I watched the tv version in late 70's as I had just read it at school. I enjoyed it, and you have made me think maybe i will go and get it from library, so thanks.

[woofgang]

Frenchmans Creek is the best love story I have ever read ever.

[smurfchops]

I watched a DVD recently called something like The Love Life of Daphne Du Maurier. Very interesting. Look out for it on ebay.

[mikey4444]

Thanks everybody. Since I last posted earlier this morning, I have watched the recent'ish TV version, with Diana Rigg playing Mrs Danvers. Now this was much more like the character in the book. In the book, she is definitely very scary and completely infatuated with Rebecca. Diana Rigg plays that superbly. Charles Dance is perhaps a trifle old for De Winter, although Du Maurier herself hints at about the same age. Jonathan Cake couldn't have played the cad Flavell any better...he really is the Best Cad around at the moment ! Emilia Fox is just right for the young, inexperienced Mrs De Winter number two.

Out of all the TV or cinematic versions, this is probably the best. But they still got something wrong. Rebecca was shot by De Winter not strangled.

I hope I haven't spoilt it for anybody else who hasn't read the book ! Read the book and then watch the TV version, in that order.

[knowabit]

I'm sure the Laurence Olivier film makes it clear that he did kill her, but they covered it up... have not watched it for a while.
I was named after the book ... my mum loved the book and the name.

[sara3]

so, I have Rebecca.. I should read it, huh?!!

[mikey4444]

Definitely sara3. Du Maurier is a born storyteller. Afterwards try "My Cousin Rachel"....nice little twist in the end.

[Sir Alec]

The Scapegoat. I haven't read the book, by Daphne du Maurier, but have seen the film with Alec Guinness and Bette Davis, which although not one of Sir Alec's best, was still an enthralling story. There was a re-make, which was on recently, but I can't remember who was in it.

[DTCwordfan]

The good news for you lot, there is a plan for a new film version of Rebecca.......

I know the house reasonably well; friends grew up in the house above Daphne du M's and knew her well.

She's not the best writer that ever lived but what she is brilliant at is creating that picture in your mind, to the point that it resonates and that is what makes her so popular.....The Kings General would be my recommendation, set in her beloved Cornwall from a Royalist perspective