The memorable opening line: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” instantly draws readers in to a haunting and compelling story. It is told by a young woman who marries a wealthy widower and goes to live with him at Manderley, his historic West Country mansion overlooking the sea, which was also home to him and his deceased wife Rebecca. However, the new life the couple hope to make there is overshadowed by the past as the author weaves a masterful tale combining suspense, atmosphere and emotion.
Within the book are characters that haunt and intrigue readers long after they have finished the final page. From the shy, second Mrs de Winter, whose first name remains unknown throughout the novel, to Maxim the seemingly perfect yet troubled husband, and Mrs Danvers, the sinister housekeeper, who treasures the memory of the vivacious Rebecca whose presence still lingers at Manderley.
Rebecca was Daphne’s fifth novel; it achieved bestselling status and brought her worldwide fame. Nevertheless, when she sent the manuscript to her publisher Victor Gollancz, she was uncertain what the reaction would be. She felt it would be considered “too gloomy” but her publisher predicted that it would be a “rollicking success”. His prediction was spot on. Since its publication in August 1938, the book has never been out of print. It led to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 Academy Award-winning film starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson. Countless stage, radio and television adaptations followed over the decades and the latest film – with Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas – was released in 2020.
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THE FEW ON SCREEN
Steven Taylor looks at the Battle of Britain across film and TV
Table Service
Rachel Toy looks at the history of Ridgway Homemaker tableware
Hever Forever
Claire Saul studies the newly refurbished Boleyn Apartment at Hever Castle & Gardens - a castle fit for a queen
Shining a Light
Tony O’Neil tunes into the history of the last manned lightvessel
The Man With the Goldeneye
Film stills photographer Keith Hamshere describes how he came to enter the world of James Bond
THE ORIGINAL GOLDEN BALLS
lan Wheeler looks back on 70 years of Tiger comic and Roy of the Rovers, and chats to the man who edited and oversaw both titles
To Play the Queen
Chris Hallam looks back on the life of one of the UK’s best known lookalikes
POOLING RESOURCES
Martin Handley looks at what life was like after the Vernons Girls
POSTCARD FROM= SUSSEX
Bob Barton indulges in pleasure piers and fairground delights, as well as fulfilling a long-held ambition to visit the home of Rudyard Kipling
Oh, Miss Jones
Chris Hallam looks back at the origins and legacy of Rising Damp, ITV's most successful sitcom