Rebecca

I finished this last night; one down, 11 classics to go! Next up is Sense and Sensibility, for February.
I loved Rebecca. LOVED it. du Maurier's descriptions were so vivid I felt as though I had gone to Manderley. I think her descriptions of the physical landscape were, in some ways, better than her drawings of the characters. Our unnamed main character is wispy, and dominated by the larger-than-life spirit of Rebecca. It's not really until near the end of the book, when she finally knows the truth, that she comes into her own. It's almost as if the little deceptions and misunderstandings weigh her down, without her even knowing it.
Now I want to watch the movie again ...

Also reviewed here:
http://subliminalintervention.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-im-reading-now-rebecca.html

Finally finished a couple of books!

I finished Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough on Saturday and The Light Fantastic, by Terry Pratchett yesterday. Both very different reads but very good in their own way. After Antony and Cleopatra I'm ready to take a bit of a break from historical novels, so out of my review book collection for work I think I"m going to start The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz. Should be a fast read.
It's my day off tomorrow so hopefully we're going to go to the library so I can get out the third Discworld book.
I'm still picking away at Rebecca. I've got past the pivotal scene in the book _ the fancy dress party where she's manipulated by Mrs Danvers into dressing identically to Rebecca. I'm torn on the heroine. Part of me feels sorry for her, but part of me wants to slap her for being such a passive ninny and not going to her beloved Maxim and getting him to tell her exactly what happened. I might even get this one finished this week, although I realise that's probably optimistic! I got distracted by the Discworld. :)

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.." probably one of the most famous opening lines. I've seen the movie and have been meaning to start the book for quite some time.
I'm so glad I did; I'm loving it. du Maurier's descriptions _ particularly of the English countryside _ are so vivid and her writing just flows.
It's easy to get lost in the book; it's one that I"m always reluctant to put down.
Our unnamed heroine is just starting to feel a little comfortable at Manderley and finding out more and more about the first Mrs de Winter.
A good one to start the year on :)