Our Shared Shelf discussion

Did anyone else notice that we never learn our narrators name? I thought this was GENIUS and frustrating at the same time. It allows the reader to easily put themselves in the narrator’s place, and also adds a huge layer of mystery. I found myself searching for it on almost every page, almost completely disappointed but also elated that we never find out. Mrs. de Winter could be literally any woman.

smart tactic!

If I remember correctly, Maxim said that she had a beautiful name. But...as long as it isn't Rebecca, or Becca, or anything related to his first wife, it could be anything from that time period.
For some reason, I am partial to Jane. I am reminded of the phrase plain Jane, but there is also a kind of beauty in simplicity, an elegance to it. The narrator is plainer than Rebecca, but she has her own beauty that shines whenever she ACTUALLY BOTHERS TO COME OUT OF HER SHELL.

It gave the story more depth, and I agree - the way it struck me was - the narrator not being named invites the reader in to the narrator. It was a seemingly small detail but with big ramifications or possibilities. It opens the story up even further. My two cents for what it’s worth.

I picture her as an Edith, I don’t know why, but it’s strange how you feel like you know the character and yet we don’t even know her name, very intriguing.

I feel as though the lack of name really adds to the feeling of comparison to Rebecca that our narrator is drowning herself in. She has no identity, other than that she is not Rebecca, different from Rebecca, less than Rebecca. She feels insecure, out of place, like a stranger and intruder in Rebecca's home. For me, not knowing her name really added to those feelings.

isn't it "caroline"?

oh wait, ignore my comment. I just realized she was pretending to be caroline de winters since she dressed like her

Autumn wrote: "I feel as though the lack of name really adds to the feeling of comparison to Rebecca that our narrator is drowning herself in. She has no identity, other than that she is not Rebecca, different fr..."

I agree!

I am not sure on name, but was anyone else really annoyed by her? I just finished this book (loved it!) but never liked the narrator

Yes it’s interesting. Maxim mentions at the beginning that it’s a very unusual name, and she remarks later when she receives his letter that she was surprised he spelled it correctly. So nothing simple. I think she said her father was an interesting person and that’s why he named her that?

This was deliberate by the author. My edition had some notes at the end where the author talks about the decision to leave the narrator nameless, and ultimately it was because she couldn't decide on a name for her.

I thought at some point, her initial is mentioned. M?

Ashley wrote: "This was deliberate by the author. My edition had some notes at the end where the author talks about the decision to leave the narrator nameless, and ultimately it was because she couldn't decide o..."

I read one article (which, alas, I can't find again), which took it a little farther. According to this article, yes, DuMaurier had trouble initially coming up with a name, but then it became a game with her (or challenge, if you prefer) to see if she could carry it off for the entire book.

I related to her, so in my mind she had my name because it was said to be unusual, as mine is. (The name I use on here is just a nickname.)

But I really loved not knowing her name as I think it symbolized her lack of self-confidence and how she tried to live up to Rebecca.

I've associated the lack of a name to the character of 'Narrator' with a lack of individuality on her part. It's interesting to read so many different interpretations! Du Maurier was a genius, no doubt

To me the fact that she wasn't named made it clear that the only thing she wanted to be was Mrs. de Winter. It also made her, once again, very different from Rebecca, who most people call by her first name