I think Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier typifies the perfect summer read. It’s atmospheric and has one of the most famous opening lines: “Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” It borrows liberally from past gothic plots (most obviously Jane Eyre) and also manages to make more over the top, an already pretty over the top genre. It’s chock-full of romance, secrets, jealousy and revenge.
This book is one I’d recommend checking out from Snell Library to read over the summer, and it’s also featured in the Summer Staff Picks exhibit on the first floor of the Library.
For whatever reason, I’ve always been resistant to reading books with whose heroines I share a name. So I’ve never read this, nor “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” when growing up. (I also hate Kirstie Alley’s character on “Cheers.”) Why? Can’t explain it, just a quirk — but perhaps I will make use of your suggestion, and finally take a look at this famous novel… 🙂
My sister is named Rebecca too, and so she was given both of those books as gifts, but still hasn’t read either. Du Maurier’s Rebecca is not such a nice woman however. I actually love to read books with characters named Emily! 🙂
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