Rebecca, by Daphne DuMaurier

(Curty’s Recommendation): I just finished this book but a day ago, and thought it was fantastic. It did, however, take a little bit to get into, so don’t worry if after the first chapter you don’t feel entirely engaged. By chapter 3 or 4 the form of the novel begins to take shape, and you can start to sense the direction the novel is moving. I make the unfortunate error with this work, however, to read the introduction first. DO NOT DO THIS! You may think you are being clever and academic (which, to some degree, you are) but in the end, you are mostly just ruining the plot of the novel for yourself, and suspense and plot twists are key to this book. Now, I enjoyed the novel even sans suspense (knowing, as I did, exactly what the plot revelations were), so I can only imagine the fun it would be to read it unawares of what could occur. To the writing itself, Du Maurier is smart, almost Austen-like to some degree, with good descriptions, an excellent (and enviable vocularby) and the ability to really sketch out characters, events, and relationships. A Curty recommendation, and a good one at that! I look forward to reading the next Du Maurier recommendation: The Jamaica Inn.