As is our custom here at 5 Minutes for Books, we like to offer a teaser of sorts, a few questions to get you thinking about your own review of the book. As always, these are just suggestions; by no means will we be checking to make sure you’ve answered them all!
A few things I’ve pondered in my reading of Rebecca:
Why do you think the heroine remains nameless? (did you notice she was never referred to by name?) Don’t you find it interesting that the novel is titled “Rebecca” yet our narrator is nameless? Why the contrast, do you think? Do you see her anonymity as indicative of some deeper meaning?
Did you like Maxim at first? Did you trust him? Why do you think the narrator was so unsure of his affection? Did you share her doubt? What gave her confidence in his love–or did she remain insecure? Did you alter your opinion of either Maxim or the narrator in the course of the novel? What made you change your mind?
Rebecca has one of the more famous opening lines in literature. How do the opening lines set the tone of the novel?
How would you classify Rebecca? Love story? Ghost story? Tragedy? Mystery? It’s been called one of the greatest gothic romances; would you agree?
Without giving too much away (hate spoilers), were you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?
Remember to come back August 4 and let us know what you thought! I can’t wait to read your reviews; I hope you love Rebecca as I much I do!
On October 6, join us for a contemporary pick — Rooftops of Tehran. You can check out my review to see why I loved this book.
September 1 we’ll be discussing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….
The questions you have asked are very thought provoking. I finished Rebecca last week and have my post almost ready. The bummer is, I will be out of town(camping) next Tuesday. When I arrive back home (Wednesday), I will link my post.
This book I found to be very good. Many different thoughts run through my head. I look forward to reading what others thought.
I read Rebecca for the first time a couple of years ago. I loved it. It is so atmospheric, so well written. I found it highly telling that the book is titled Rebecca; it is an appropriate title, because Rebecca looms larger than life throughout the book–much larger than the narrator, in many ways. I found the ending satisfactory but not what I was hoping for. I grew to like Maxim throughout the novel, but at the beginning I wasn’t sure what to make of him.
I just thought I’d whip off a couple of my thoughts, because I won’t be around next week.
I’ll be back! (And am glad for the additional reminder!)
Rebecca is actually on my Summer hope to read list. Still is in the “hope to” category.
Great discussion questions!
We read Rebecca for our book club this month, my choice as hostess because I have always wanted to read the book. After finishing the book I am still not sure how I feel about it. It wasn’t what I was expecting but, I am not even sure what I was expecting. I think I was expecting more intrigue, more ghostly experiences in the book. I think it left me a little disappointed but in what, I am not even sure of that. I do, however, recommend it simply because it is a classic and I feel classics should be read.
This was also my selection as hostess for our September 2010 book club meeting which is tonight. In researching my selection I found Rebecca on many “all-time best book” lists and though I’m not sure it will make mine I did enjoy it; found it compelling actually. I feel going retro was a nice change and the detail and beauty of narration worthy.
This was also my choice for our book club. We meet next week, 2/2/11 to discuss it when I host. I agree it is interesting that the narrator had no first name, however, Rebecca is always mentioned by her first name. I have mixed feelings about Maxim. I think he could have done more to make Mrs. de Winter 2’s adjustment to Manderly easier. (Like getting rid of Mrs. Danvers!) Also, I got frustrated with Mrs. deW2’s shyness and wished she had a little more backbone, but realized she was very young, unworldly, etc. The opposite of her husband. They were mismatched in many ways. Sometimes I thought Frank would have been an easier companion for her. He seemed to be her only friend and I was disappointed that they didn’t tell us what happened to Frank in the end. In the movie version, Mrs. Danvers goes down with the house, and that was quite a dramatic final scene. I think that was a more fitting ending, honestly… I would call it a romantic suspense novel — an excellent book.