Mrs. de Winter

When this book first came out, it followed on the heels of "Scarlett" by Alexandra Ripley, which did not compare in any way, shape or form, to Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind." So when "Mrs. DeWinter" was released, it pretty much went through the same scorching reviews and reception as "Scarlett." "Rebecca" is one of my wife's and mines favorite mysteries. She read the sequel first and thought it was okay. I read it and remember being bored out of my head. However, last month, I picked it up again and have to say that I have completely changed my mind. Ms. Hill has actually done a masterful job of carrying on Daphne du Maurier's story. No, it's not "Rebecca". But would anyone really expect it to be? Ms. Hill really is a very good writer and I had to admit that she captured the feel of the original. This would be difficult for any writer to accomplish and I feel, upon second read that the book is excellent. Just my opinion, but anyone who read it when it first came out, may attempt it again, and see if maybe it isn't so bad afterall......And, far superior to the awful "Rebecca's Tale"! That is a very strange and troubling book that tried harder to be politically correct than capture the essence of du Maurier.

Wow, this book is really, really, good and the author's writing style resembles Daphne Du Maurier's so strongly, that it really does seem as if you are reading a sequel that been written by Daphne Du Marurier herself! As one would expect the physical descriptions of the various settings in which this book takes place, are vivid and richly detailed. And I freely admit that I absolutely love books and/or movies where the house is just as much a character as the people in the book! One of the things my husband likes to tease me about are the outstanding characteristics of the "movies and books liked by Barb." Which, according to my husband, and I guess I'll admit he's right as far as movies go are "Made in black and white, before 1950, everyone speaks in English accents, and they often are dressed in costumes and nothing happens!" And I have to admit that the kind of fiction I enjoy also can be described as "Written before 1950, about English people, and are likely to be wearing costumes, and, or course, live in the obligatory country house and nothing happens!" LOL! Susan Hill does a simply superb job of re-creating that claustraphobic little world that Daphne Du Maurier introduced to us in Rebecca. The story is good, and, of course, it is pretty much inevitable that Mrs. DeWinter would encounter the despicable Jack Favell and the obsessed Mrs. Danvers again. You know, it occurs to me that Mrs. DeWinter seems to be a kind of procteress of her husband, who does not, in my opinion, neccessarily deserve it! One of the main things that struck me, and, I must admit, annoyed me, was the fact that she still had to little self-confidence and backbone! It's understandable that she behaves that way in Rebecca, but many years have passed, and I would think in all that time she would have come into her own, just a little, anyway! If she had any chutzpah at all she would have told Mrs. Danvers where to go! In my opinion if you liked Rebecca the chances are pretty decent that you'll like this book as well.

Mrs. deWinter is well written and an interesting read, especially for fans of Rebecca who want to know what happens to the family. Though I would have preferred some happiness in the lives of the characters created by Ms. Du Maurier, I believe this author did preserve the dark and moody aspects of the original novel. I read most books I like more than once, but I likely will not read this again because I prefer happier books. However, this story is believable as far as what happened to this family and their acquaintances, and the information is worth knowing. I did enjoy reading this book and definitely recommend it. I especially like the fact that we still do not know, and never will, Mrs. deWinter's first name. This preserves the continuing mystery surrounding this fascinating woman and the course her life has taken. J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles

This was a very fitting sequel to Rebecca. Not only does it answer lingering questions but it also puts the tale to it's end. It is beautifully written in the style of Daphne Du Maurier. It was so much better than I had hoped. I actually enjoyed this story more so than its predecessor. And I truely loved Rebecca. Together the two books make the story whole. I had felt abandoned at the end of Rebecca but Mrs. deWinter brought me the closure I had hoped for. If you want to know what happens to Maxim & his new wife after Manderlay is gone, this is a definate read. Can Rebecca still haunt them after they have left that place? You'll have to read the book to find out.

In Mrs. De Winter, Susan Hill successfully reproduces the style and tone of Rebecca. In the sequel, the reader is able to witness the heroine grow emotionally and become her own person. It is impossible for the reader not to emphathize with her every bit as much as in Rebecca. The intrigue which the characters of Mrs. Danvers and Jack Favell provide in the first novel is wonderfully and chillingly familiar in the second. Anyone willing to accept a sequel to Rebecca wil not find Mrs. De Winter disappointing. Susan Hill is to be commended for undertaking and meeting such a challenge.