Ladies and Gentlemen! In our last match the gents, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, were fighting it out. But now it’s time for the LADIES! I am thrilled to welcome you to the second literary duel featuring non other than Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel. Both are remarkable ladies with more to them that meets the eye. Ready? Let the game begin!
Characters
Rachel in My Cousin Rachel was my kind of character. She remained a mystery to the last, but clearly she had a complex personality with lots going on below the surface. Philip, her young admirer, was oh so naive and I sometimes wanted to scream at him to grow up. But as the novel progressed, darkness appeared in Philip’s mind as well and doubt arose, whether his version of the truth was always reliable.
I am sorry. But I didn’t enjoy the characters in Rebecca at all. The nameless narrator was timid and insecure. Actually, she was barely a person in her own right. At first she functioned as an attachment to the wealthy Mrs. Van Hopper and later Maxim took over as the centre of her universe. I found Maxim rather unsympathetic and his view on his second wife’s transformation to a less insecure women didn’t endear me to him either.
It’s gone forever, that funny young, lost look I loved won’t ever come back.
There is nothing wrong with being timid or have a soft spot for insecure women without opinions, but these two characters didn’t in any way capture my imagination. Mrs. Danvers was a decent villain and the illusive Rebecca was intriguing, but we never met her in person.
Plot
Both novels have strong plots filled with tension, obsession, jalousie and secrets. Despite of the dark, gothic elements in Rebecca, there is no getting around the fact, that the plot has a rather clichéd romance at its core: Young, immature girl falls in love with older, complicated man with lots of money and a big house. Her happiness depends entirely on him – he could commit murder and she would still love him! Sigh.
The plot in My Cousin Rachel revolves around the mysterious Rachel. The author plays with the reader throughout the book, spinning a multi-facetted web, where new threads are added all the time. Every time I thought, I’d figured out Rachel, it turned out I hadn’t. By the time the story approached its ending, I’d given up and decided to wait for the author to reveal everything. Yeah right. Even today I sometimes wonder about Rachel: Did she or didn’t she? What was the truth about her character?
Structure
The dramatic structure of Rebecca is clever. The beautiful and somewhat disturbing opening chapter retrospectively alludes to the dramatic climax of the story. This sets the scene for an accelerating tension as we inevitably move towards the indicated disaster. If it hadn’t taken so long for the story to kick off after the opening chapter (my first attempt of reading it ended with a DNF), Rebecca might have taken this round. My Cousin Rachel is also told as a flashback. It follows a relatively linear timeline and it had me mesmerised from page one. Also, I LOVED the format with the open-ended, ambiguous ending.
Writing
The road to Manderley lay ahead. There was no moon. The sky above our heads was inky black. But the sky on the horizon was not dark at all. It was shot with crimson, like a splash of blood. And the ashes blew towards us with the salt wind from the sea.
At some point I might reread Rebecca just to be swept away by the beautiful prose. No competition here, really,
Setting
Both novels presumably take place in Cornwall, although this isn’t mentioned explicitly in Rebecca. Also, both novels have a foreign connection; Rebecca to Monte Carlo and My Cousin Rachel to Italy. This round goes to Rebecca, because of how Manderlay becomes an integrated part of the story. Separating Manderlay as a setting from du Maurier’s lyrical descriptions is close to impossible, hence some of the points for setting may derive from the writing.
Final Result
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am happy to announce the winner of today’s literary duel as My Cousin Rachel! Give the winner a big applause and thanks so much for joining this special event!
Title: Rebecca [1938] Author: Daphne du Maurier Format: eBook Genre: Classics
Title: My Cousin Rachel [1951] Author: Daphne du Maurier Format: Audiobook, narrated by Jonathan Pryce Genre: Classics
For more literary duelling, check out: Oliver Twist vs. Nicholas Nickleby or Christmas Special: Scrooge vs. Christmas.
Such a great post and I love the gifs you added,they made me laugh and love it even more! I haven’t read either book but based on the characterisation in the books, I’d go for My Cousin Rachel anyway 🙂
Aww, thanks Inge. 😊 Yeah, I thought the GIFs would add a bit of atmosphere to the (literary) fight. My Cousin Rachel is in my opinion the better of the two. According to the introduction, all the ambiguity in the novel reflects the authors own life and state of mind, when she wrote it.I found that quite interesting.
What a fun post!
I’ve only read Rebecca but had my eye on My Cousin Rachel for a while now.
Thanks Theresa! 😀 My Cousin Rachel is definitely worth reading – even if the prose is not quite up to the standard in Rebecca.
Hello Stargazer – I read both books more than once many years ago – I’m a great fan of Daphne du Maurier. I would have voted for Rebecca – I think because I read it first. I have an old blue hard-back copy with lose pages and a thread spine.
Hello, good to hear from a du Maurier fan 😀 Rebecca is definitely the more popular of the two, so I realise I am in minority preferring Rachel. But I guess, we can’t all like the same things. Thanks for stopping by!
well done. that was fun!
Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it!
Oooh, what a fun post! I’m SO relieved I wasn’t the only one who was privately disappointed by Rebecca—the plot was waaaay too slow for me, and the characters forgettable, but it’s so universally adored that I wondered if it was just a me thing. The setting and writing are gorgeous, though. I look forward now to getting to My Cousin Rachel—I feel that might appeal to me more!
Yay, I’m glad you liked it! I’m sorry you were disappointed by Rebecca, but also quite relieved to hear it. I really felt like the odd one out, because as you say, it is universally adored. But I don’t mind deviating from the ‘public opinion’, actually the world would be quite dull, if we all enjoyed the same things!
I delayed opening this post because I couldn’t bear to hear the verdict! 😆 And now I’ve screwed up my courage I don’t know what I think! I am, of course, a die-hard du Maurier fan for many reasons but I concede that occasionally I do wonder quite why I’m so fixated on her writing. I think it’s the writer herself almost more than her books. Anyway I can say that Rachel and Rebecca are my favourite DdM novels, although I still have some to read. I love the enigma that is Rachel and the uncertain ending. I had no problem with the timid second Mrs de Winter in Rebecca – it was Max who I felt was weak. And Mrs Danvers was a marvellous mad housekeeper! You’ve really surprised me by pointing out that Cornwall is not made explicit in Rebecca – another example of where a story has become so ingrained that it’s an absolute given. There is a new version of Rebecca due out in October I think and from what little I’ve seen of it, I don’t expect to like it at all! The casting looks quite wrong! 😂 Meanwhile though, reading this was good fun and I’m eagerly waiting to know what the next literary duel will be!
Sandra!! Of course, I remember you are a die-hard du Maurier fan! To be honest, I actually thought of you, when posting this and felt a bit worried. I was sure, if you saw it, you would be having words with me for not being more enthusiastic about Rebecca. 😆 But I am definitely the odd one out here. Interesting, what you say about the writer. I don’t know too much about her, but from the little I’ve read, she sounds like a fascinating person. I am curious to learn more and will probably pick up her biography at some point.
Yes, I agree Max was a weak person. The quote included in my post sums him up pretty well, I thought. One puzzling thing about him: I know he got seriously deceived in his first marriage, but he exhibited such an extreme change in his taste in women from the first to his second marriage. I’m not saying that we all have a type and stick to it, but I found it quite extreme. Mrs. Danvers on the other hand was great, perhaps I should have been more generous and given a point just for her.
Oh, I’m always worried about dramatisations of my favourite books. I haven’t checked the casting, but let’s hope it works out.
Phew, I’m glad you enjoyed the post despite of my objectionable views 😉
Ha ha! Stargazer, your views are certainly not objectionable! 😆 You’ve given me plenty of food for thought. Also, I happen to know that FictionFan is not a fan of Rebecca (or DdM in general I believe) so you are in very good company! Max – I think he was so scarred by the duplicitous Rebecca that he chose the most anodyne little mouse he could find for a wife. Someone he could trust and who would cause him no grief. I imagine that’s why he was so angry when she appeared at the party wearing a copy of Rebecca’s costume; he believed her to be playing games as Rebecca had done. And for all her timidity and unworldly ways, she proved much stronger than might be assumed: she supports Max as they live out their lives in quiet solitude; she doesn’t judge or expect too much from him. Her role as companion to the ghastly Mrs Van Hopper stood her in good stead!
And having written all that, I’ve just noticed FF’s comments below! 😂 She almost sounds as if she LIKED Rebecca! 😱😂
Haha, actually, FF’s reply was similar to what I might have expected from you. 😂 Yes, I am sure you are right about Max (although I still found it extreme). The second wife did find some inner strength in the end (I always agreed with ‘if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger’), which I was happy about. That made me even more unsatisfied with Max for not liking this one bit.
Star! WHOAAA!! This is THE AWESOMESTTTT POST! This concept is absolutely amazing!!! 😍😍😍 I have actually watched the movie – My Cousin Rachel! I didn’t know it was a book too!! 😍😍 I enjoyed the movie!!
SHDHDIWOWW I LOOVE THIS POST! 😍😍 YOU ROCK!
Awww, thanks Rain!! I am so happy you like the concept. 😊 I haven’t watched the movie about Rachel, but I definitely mean to. My version of the book actually have an introduction by the director of the movie. You are too kind! 😁
You are gonna LOVE it, STAR!! AND OH MY GOD REALLY??!!?! That sounds AWESOMEEE!!!! <3 <3 <3
🤗🤗🤗
I’m such a Rebecca and now I’ve got to check out Rachel! However, if you ever re-read Rebecca, listen to the audiobook. It’s outstanding, über creepy.
Fantastic post, Stargazer💜
A Rebecca FAN😏
Thanks so much Jonetta! 😊 That is great advice. To be honest, I don’t remember, why I read instead of listened. Audiobooks are always my preferred option. Perhaps, I’d run out of credits? 🤔 I will definitely get the audiobook for a reread.
No way!!! I demand a recount! The election must have been rigged!!
Haha, sometimes when I read other people’s opinions, I feel as if we must have read different books. I agree the characters in Rebecca are unlikeable but that’s half their charm. In Rachel, I found Philip a whiny bore with the mental age of a pubescent teen. Rachel herself was ambiguous, and yes, the ending works, but oh my goodness, it takes soooooo loooong to get there! Rebecca on the other hand never drags, and has far more actual plot going on. Glad Manderlay won for the setting but I can’t even remember much about the setting in Rachel so it should have got zero points and all 5 should have gone to Rebecca. I rest my case! 😉
Well, I don’t object to unlikable characters at all, Mrs Danvers was without competition my fav. in Rebecca. I do object to uninteresting and forgettable characters though. And women who can’t live an independent life and whose happiness can be ruined by a wrong look or sentence from her husband.
I sometimes wonder if our take on characters is similar to how we react to people in real life? I have very little patience with grey mice who can’t speak up (sry, I know it probably says a lot about me as a person) whereas I can bear with some degree of unlikability as long as the person has colour and an interesting personality.
Another duel going on here it seems! 😂 I’ll just sharpen my sword and wade in against both of you 😆 🤺
So I disagree with FF re Rachel, the book – I like a slow-boiling plot which takes time to arrive and there were many twists and turns in my opinion: was she, wasn’t she a goodie or a baddie?
All depended on what was happening in the plot at the time. I’m having a good chuckle at Philip being a whiny bore! (S aims a sharp thrust at FF 🤺 whilst parrying the blow about Philip… 🤺)
But I also disagree about grey mice, Stargazer! 😂 We can’t all be strong and independent at least, not all of the time! 😂 Maybe there’s a message in Rebecca about the virtues of women and which will get you further in long run? I’m not sure I’d want to take Grey Mouse’s path but I certainly wouldn’t want to take Rebecca’s either! (S backing up into a corner and parrying both fictional women, keeping a keen eye on Maxim, currently cowering in the opposite corner … 🤺)
Is Grey Mouse uninteresting and forgettable? This seems crucial. Something tells me that much as you disliked her, she’s a character that you won’t forget albeit for questionable reasons! 😄
Ah, this is brilliant, a tri-party match!😁
Let me start with a combined defence and small counter-attack reg. Philip towards FF: Yes, he was whiny and as I wrote, I often found myself wanting to scream at him. But unlikable does not equal uninteresting (for Mrs Danvers quite the opposite) and he was impulsive and unpredictable and in his own way brought colour to the story. Also, it turned out later that (possibly because of illness?) what went on in his mind was a lot less transparent than first assumed. Then, there was the whole relation to Ambrose and how it had shaped him to be the person he was, which I found interesting as well.
Oh, no, I didn’t mean we should all be strong and independent all the time – let’s face it, non of us are. But I don’t see being grey as the opposite as being strong. Both in the literature and real life there are uncountable examples of weak and vulnerable characters, who are still interesting and fascinating to read about or talk to. And of course “grey” people have their place in the world and can achieve things, their own way (to be fair, I’ve never met anyone quite as extreme as the protagonist). But in real life you probably wouldn’t find me hanging out with them and the same is the case in books.
Ok, the last round goes to Sandra. Because the character was so excessively anonymous, I may actually not forget her! (I didn’t dislike her, just felt indifferent) 😀 Thanks Sandra for challenging both FF and me – loved your comment!
An epitaph: Remembered for her excessive anonymity! 😂🤦♀️
😂😂😂
I love this post! I actually adore Rebecca and I actually like the characters a lot- or at least the narrator and Rebecca, Max is awful. My Cousin Rachel is a fantastic novel too though. I love this idea for a post 🙂
Aww, thanks! 😊 Yes, I know most people adore Rebecca – I did enjoy it, although not as much as I expected to. Glad you like the idea of the post – even if it’s meant as a bit of fun, I find it quite useful to make myself think about which aspects I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy in a quite structured way.
I think it’s nice to meet bloggers with different opinions on books- especially if they’re commonly popular 🙂 yess definitely, a fun idea but also helpful for analysing the texts
Same! Reading different opinions makes you see new angles to the story even if you don’t necessarily agree! 🙂
I’ve never read My Cousin Rachel! x
I can recommend it! Or you could check out the movie? 🙂
This post is BRILLIANT!! Love it! 💜💜
Aww thanks so much, I am happy to hear that, since I love writing these posts! 😊
I love how you’ve set this up ❤️ I haven’t read My Cousin Rachel, bu now I’m intrigued. Great post!
Thank you! 😀 Yes, I would definitely recommend My Cousin Rachel, especially if you enjoy ambiguous characters.
Oh, this is so much fun, Stargazer! I’m disappointed I’ve read neither and it’s due to one of my worst reading quirks- I tend to “save” the books I know I’m going to love. I even have an extra pretty edition of Rebecca from the UK! I need to get busy. You’ve done a wonderful job with this! ♥️
Thanks Jennifer! 😀 Haha, I think, I’m quite the opposite: if I really think, I’m going to love a book, I normally read it immediately. No “saving the best for last” for me. 😁😂 I hope to hear what you think of Rebecca at some point in the future.
Ooh, I’m a big fan of Rebecca but I’ve never read My Cousin Rachel – I think I’ll have to rectify that!
I can definitely recommend My Cousin Rachel. The two stories are quite different, but as you could tell, I prefer the latter. 😉
Of the two, I’ve only heard everyone and their grandmother speak of Rebecca, so this post was quite eye-opening. You’ve piqued my curiosity regarding both titles, and, of course, much more for Rachel, considering how much you loved that one over Rebecca! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on them through this epic battle! 😀
Yes, every sane person would probably recommend to start with Rebecca if you haven’t read any du Maurier before. I really am the odd one out. But objectively both are good reads, I just preferred the characters in Rachel and found Rebecca a bit slow to begin with. You are welcome, it’s quite fun to do these duelling posts 😀
I love this idea! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so who knows ….?
I would love other bloggers to take up this idea! It is mostly meant as lighthearted fun, but it did make me think about the books in a more structured way.