Reading the Classics discussion

Welcome to week 2 of reading Rebecca. This week we are reading and discussing chapters 8-16.

Well, we have met Mrs Danvers. What a description of her, white, skeletal, her head like a skull, her handshake cold and dead!

I liked the touch when our protagonist answers the phone and does not realize that the requested “mrs de Winter” is herself. Even worst, the caller is Mrs Danvers.

We explore the cove, the cottage and see the empty buoy. The atmosphere is built layer by layer.

Things that particularly struck me during in these chapters are as follows

1 our protagonist’s extreme insecurity, for example, hiding when Beatrice comes to visit. Or hiding the figurine that was broken - this one seemed over the top.

2 discovering Rebecca’s rooms being kept almost as a shrine. A more mature woman would have discussed this with her husband immediately and put a stop to it.

3 finding Rebecca’s cousin come to visit Mrs Danvers was really odd. Again, our protagonist was not strong enough to confront him. But maybe anyone would have had a problem with that one

4 exploring Rebecca’s room was odd. Mrs Danvers tour of Rebecca’s item was over the top !

5 - at least Beatrice was decent enough.

6 - the prospect of a big costume ball grows. Our protagonist warms to it, surprisingly.

7 - she plans her costume. This point bothered me in the story. Why would ou protagonist take a suggestion from Mrs Danvers for. Costume. she has felt malevolence from Mrs Danvers from day one. Well we will see the outcome in the following chapters

Beatrice is the only character who I like. She is pretty good throughout.