North & South : Writers & Readers Café

LOL! Yes, it certainly seems to be a lot easier if you can avoid dates.

I saw this on the C19 Website and thought it might be of interest.

http://www.bl.uk/collection-items/north-and-south-first-instalment-in-household-words

Thanks for that, Laura. Interesting to see how such a publication looked like at the time Not that I've ever come across any contemporary literary magazines, for that matter.

I thought this bit was interesting as well. I know we know and have discussed before the problems EG had with the serial format but I didn't know that about Dickens blaming N&S for the drop in sales of Household Words.

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Some writers, like Dickens, relished the challenge of writing for serialisation, introducing cliff-hangers to thrill their readers and maintain sales. Others, like Gaskell, found the serial form a constraint. She wanted to write 22 episodes of North and South rather than 20, and struggled to meet deadlines. Dickens, too, was dissatisfied with her work. Household Words saw a drop in sales in the autumn of 1854, which he blamed on Gaskells novel. Today, however, North and South is one of her most admired works.

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You will not know this, Birds, and, Laura, I don't know if you recall, but Cat was ALWAYS agonizing over dates, timelines and seasons of the year in her stories. Perhaps I heard this more in private conversations, but I remember chuckling, thinking, 'Do you honestly think readers will care or even notice if you're a few weeks or months off in chronology?' But she was a perfectionistand I'm not!

I didn't know that Pat, unless I forgot. I can understand it. I think I would be the same. Not sure if it is being a perfectionist or just a touch of OCD. LOL!

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Cat was ALWAYS agonizing over dates, timelines and seasons of the year in her stories.

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Oh, was she, Pat? I can totally understand, as inconsistencies in my own stories tend to drive me nuts, too. I often notice such things in other people's stories as wellbut in that case it doesn't bother me quite as much otherwise I couldn't possibly readand enjoythe Outlander series.

But I simply had to shake my head over those 3 dates I listed in my earlier post because IIRC they are the only precise dates I ever mentioned in my storiesand they ended up within 4 days of each other!

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I often notice such things in other people's stories as wellbut in that case it doesn't bother me quite as much otherwise I couldn't possibly readand enjoythe Outlander series.

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It's not so much the dates but the other inconsistencies that drive me mad in those. LOL!

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It's not so much the dates but the other inconsistencies that drive me mad in those. LOL!

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As far as Outlander is concerned I was thinking more on terms of inconsistencies in general, too.

Birds mentioning Bill Bryson in another thread reminded me to say how much I enjoy reading his travel books. For me it started with Notes From A Small Island after watching a TV programme about it. For those who don't know, this book is about how after living in the Britain for 20 years, he was planning to return back to the USA and was taking one last trip around the island. At the same time he is recalling the things that happened when he first arrived. He loves Britain and it is amusing to see the peculiarities of this country and its inhabitants through his eyes. I find it a very funny and informative book. Interestingly after living back in the USA for some years he returned to England because he felt that this was his home now. He recently passed the British Citizen exam and now holds dual citizenship.

I have since read all his other travel books, another favourite being A Walk In The Woods which humorously describes his attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail with his friend "Stephen Katz". This is the one which has just been turned into a movie with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.

Thanks for the recommendations, Laura.

I only know the one book by Bill BrysonAt Home. But I very much like the way he writes in that one. Lots and lots of information, but an enjoyable read, nevertheless. And I like his humour.

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I only know the one book by Bill BrysonAt Home.

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Yes, I remember you have mentioned it before. It is definitely one I intend to read eventually.

His other travel books include

The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America
Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
Notes from a Big Country (US)
Down Under (Australia)


There is a new one I haven't read yet which came out last month called The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island.

He's also done some books on the English langage and a memoir of his childhood.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bryson

It's a bit overwhelming to go back and re-read all the previous posts right now, so I'll just jump on in.

I haven't been able to do much reading lately, but one of the last books I read was "Lady Chatterly's Lover" by DH Lawrence. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and I'll warn you there's quite intense langauge in it, but I enjoyed it. I listened to it as an audiobook, and I plan to go back and read it in print sometimes, as there are sections I want to read more closely and spend some time thinking about.

One of the quotes that really stuck with me was
"A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it."D.H. Lawrence, "Lady Chatterley's Lover"

What do you mean 'find yourself a man'? I've got Thornton, Darcy, Wentworth..

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I haven't been able to do much reading lately, but one of the last books I read was "Lady Chatterly's Lover" by DH Lawrence.

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I've never read that one. I'm not a big DH Lawrence fan, although I did watch the 1993 series with Sean Bean. There was a new BBC production of the story this year staring Richard Madden, Holiday Grainger and James Norton. I didn't watch it but I believe it was much tamer version with none of the, as you say, 'intense language' or explicit love scenes or nudity.

That's one of those books that get more talked about than actually read, isn't it? But I've got it on my 'books to read' list for quite a while already, and it's good to know that you can recommend it, Ima.

I thought I would talk about books I liked to read as a child. A big favourite of mine was the Little House book series. For those who haven't heard of them, they are a series of American children's novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder based on her childhood in the northern Midwest during the 1870s and 1880s. They were also turned into a TV series called 'Little House on the Prairie' in the 1970's. I thought the books were much better though - less schmaltzy. I was thinking about these again lately because my sister saw a full set of the first 7 books (which chronicle her life up until her marriage) going cheap in a magazine and on impulse sent for them. They came yesterday and when I looked at them it really brought back some memories especially as, although the covers were different, all the illustrations inside where the same ones as those in the books I read as a child. I may just have to read them all again sometime.


http://www.littlehousebooks.com/books/

Funny that you should come up with this today, Laura. Only yesterday I was talking to my cousin (who is much the same age as I am) on the phone, and we were discussing books we used to read as children. In our pre-teen age we both loved to read books by Enid Blyton, but while she preferred the St. Clare's series, I found those stories too 'girly' and rather read The Famous Five.

I've been thinking of suggesting another book as a good read, 'Spies' by Michael Frayn. It's not a children's book but a book about a boy living in a rural English region during WWII, telling about local events as seen from his perspective https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spies_%28novel%29

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In our pre-teen age we both loved to read books by Enid Blyton, but while she preferred the St. Clare's series, I found those stories too 'girly' and rather read The Famous Five.

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I was never really into Enid Blyton, that was probably when I was reading the 'Little House' books, also the 'Anne of Green Gables' book series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I loved my historical stories even as a child. But then on the other hand I was into sci-fi as well. I used to like reading the novels based on the original 'Doctor Who' TV series.

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In our pre-teen age we both loved to read books by Enid Blyton, but while she preferred the St. Clare's series, I found those stories too 'girly' and rather read The Famous Five.

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I don't know if you know this Birds (but Laura does); I absolutely LOVED Enid Blyton as a child! I still remember my very first EB book: "The Children of Cherry Tree Farm". I read that one numerous times. "The Famous Five" and "The Five Find-Outers" were a few of my favourites along with "The Malory Towers" series

I remember going to the British Council Library where I lived and searching through their EB collection only to find that they only had the St. Clare series. It didn't interest me as much as Malory Towers did. I loved that Darrell Rivers, the main character from Malory Towers, was a tomboy and had a temperI related .

But there was something magical about her adventure series, be it the Famous Five or the Five Find-Outers or The Secret Seven. My school library at the time had quite a collection so I almost managed to read them all but I don't recall the Adventurous Four series now.

Enid Blyton and then Nancy Drewthat was my childhood!
I'm hoping to re-read the books again when I pass it on to my children - if and when I have any!

Hi Lois - Wonderful, another Enid Blyton fan!

The EB series tend to be titled vastly different in German, so I had to look them up While many of them apparently got translated The Famous Five ('Fnf Freunde') and St. Clare's ('Hanni und Nanni') used to be the most popular here when I was a kid, and in the case of The Famous Five they still are my younger son is reading them at present, in German of course.

According to his teacher my eldest son should give reading books in English a try now but that's rather tricky, in fact. He doesn't quite have the vocabulary yet for the kind of books his age group's generally interested in (lets say, Harry Potter), but he's outgrown books for younger children (of primary school age) by now, which would have been easier to read

So, any suggestions would be welcome!

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.. my younger son is reading them at present, in German of course.

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That's lovely Birds!

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According to his teacher my eldest son should give reading books in English a try now



So, any suggestions would be welcome!

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Hmm..well, I agree that you must try to get him to read in English.

I understand that he's outgrown the books for younger children but that's where I'd start.

My brother hated reading as a child (still does!) so we would get him the LadyBird "Fairytales" series and "the Classics (Abridged)" series to improve his reading. I loved those books.

"The Elves and the Shoemaker" was my favourite fairytale story. And the "Well-loved Classic" books were not tooo simple and not to complicated either.

Take a look here for an idea of some of the stories: https://www.librarything.com/series/Ladybird+Classics

(We still own some of those very same covers!)

On the back cover of those books, there would be other suggestions according to reading levelswe would try to go through the entire list for each level.

That's how I too, along with my brother had first read "A tale of Two Cities", "Black Beauty", "Around the World in Eighty days", "King Solomon's mines" (another fave), "Railway Children" etc.


Other suggestions (but this is more according to your son's age) would be "The Hardy Boys" mystery cases series; also I think I started reading "Sherlock Holmes" by 12 years of age.

"Emil and the detectives" (abridged and translated) was another story I loved perhaps something in that vein?



Ima reads a lot(!) and would be more knowledgeable on that account. She's also got a good understanding of Youth Fiction books. I'd ask her too.

And Thomas works in the library helping children read. She's be very helpful, I bet.


ETA: I've been thinking more on this since I typed the first post.

Another route, and you may not like this Birds, is Comic books!
They have few words but enough to get the meaning across and lots of pics so it an easier way to get them interested in reading English. The "Archie" comic books and the many subseries I would highy recommend because they are good fun and clean humour. I think everyone can relate to themI certainly did!

I LOVED "Tintin" as a child. Those stories were fantastic! I will still read them if I can get my hands on one.

But for his age, why not also go for the more serious comic stories too? I'm partial to Batman, Superman etc. from the "DC comics" line because I prefer their storylines - Batman had to become an adult quite quickly when his parents were killed and Superman discovers he's an alien and struggles to find his identityI think those stories are grrrreat for a teen! Even Spiderman (from the "Marvel Comics" line) is a great story.

And those stories have soooo many cartoon versions as well. So he can watch them in English. Plenty of movies too! Get him to watch it in English once his reading skills improves.

Thank you for all the recommendations, Lois!

The problem really boils down to matching up my son's (quite advanced) reading interests with his (still quite limited) English vocabularybut comics might be a good way to go! I must check with our local library what they've got on offer probably not a lot, but you never know.

For that matter, we are planning to give him an ebook reader for his birthday (which is coming up early next year); this way it will be easier for him to look up the words he doesn't know yetand not nearly as time-consuming as searching for them in a printed dictionary

Btw, Terry Pratchett wrote a couple of books for younger readers I thought I might introduce them in due time. "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" is one of my favouritesbut then, I do have a peculiar taste in reading matters.

Sad to hear about the death of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author Harper Lee. I don't know if others have read this one, but it is a real favourite of mine. There are a few books I keep and read over and over and this is one of them. I find it full of warmth and humour as well as addressing the serious issue of racial inequality in America's deep south in the 1930s. I love the film made in 1962, as well, with Gregory Peck's brilliant portrayal of Atticus Finch for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor.

Another great writer passed away this weekend: Umberto Eco.

Of course, he's been best known for his first novel The Name of the Rose, but my favourite has always been Foucault's Pendulum. A book that proceeds logically (if convolutedly) from A to B to C etc., but when you arrive at Z you wonder every time how the heck could such an ordinary beginning have such a strange result. And as for trying to recapitulate just. don't. try. I must have read it half a dozen times, at least.

I actually saw him once. Eco was a guest at Glasgow University in 1990, and giving a lecture in the big auditorium. Unfortunately, it was on semiotics (they hadn't announced the topic in advancebut, of course, he was a professor of semiotics at the university of Bologna, besides being a novelist), and I didn't understand a word. Well, I wasn't the only one; my flat mate, a Scottish student of computer science, who had come with me, was equally mystified. We left early

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Of course, he's been best known for his first novel The Name of the Rose,

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I've seen the film of 'The Name of the Rose' with Sean Connery.

Since the past is terra incognita for most of us, here are links to the more general pages I found helpful for research (many of which were originally posted by Lois over at the Book Club thread):

Script (novel/screenplay):
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/4276/4276-h/4276-h.htm
http://northandsouth2004.com/north-and-south-screenplay/north-and-south-screenplay-by-sandy-welsh-ep1-of-4/

General history:
http://www.victorianweb.org/
http://www.historydoctor.net/Advanced%20Placement%20European%20History/life_in_emerging_urban_europe.htm
Bill Bryson: "At Home - A Short History of Private Life" (ISBN 978-0-552-77735-3)

Industrial society / English working class:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Condition_of_the_Working_Class_in_England
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17306/17306-h/17306-h.htm
http://www.historydoctor.net/Advanced%20Placement%20European%20History/Notes/industrial_revolution_%281%29.htm
http://richardjohnbr.blogspot.de/2008/07/working-classes-living-standards-1830.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/womens_work_01.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/shp/britishsociety/livingworkingconditionsrev1.shtml
http://www.educationengland.org.uk/history/chapter02.html

Marriage and women's rights:
http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopic2.html
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~bp10/pvm/en3040/women.shtml
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Divorce_in_England_and_Wales

Victorian Christmas:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/victorianchristmas/history.shtml
http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/tree-99.htm

Income and expenditures in 1850:
http://www.victorianlondon.org/finance/money.htm
http://www.victorianweb.org/economics/wages2.html
https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/Coinage.jsp#costofliving

Suicides:
http://www.victorianweb.org/books/suicide/01.html

Mourning:
https://books.google.ca/books?id=1t-KfqurvfQC&pg=PA159&dq=mourning+colours+1851&source=bl&ots=KNtPQlGrmU&hl=en&sa=X#v=onepage&q=mourning%20colours%201851%20&f=false
http://www.katetattersall.com/mourning-dress-3/
http://www.angelpig.net/victorian/mourning.html (with many Australian references)
https://archive.org/stream/bazarbookofdecor00tomerich#page/270/mode/2up
http://www.victoriana.com/VictorianPeriod/mourning.htm
http://www.victoriana.com/death-in-the-victorian-era/

Royal Navy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Navy_ranks,_rates,_and_uniforms_of_the_18th_and_19th_centuries


Other topics:

Phrases and proverbs:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/index.html

Poetry:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

Punctuation, style, plot, etc.: EZN's Guide to Writing (Fan)fiction
https://eznguide.neocities.org/#Fanfiction

Thanks for putting all those together on here Birds.

Hi heartfelt4-1. What a fantastic idea for a thread!

Hello everyone, I hope you're all well. I'll pull up a chair and order a pastry and a hot chocolate if I may.

I would like to discuss Daphne Du Maurier.

She is one of my favourite authors and I love how descriptive and vivid her novels are. I find her novels so descriptive and they grab me from the first page. Her characters come alive for me in a way that those creations of other authors just don't. My favourite Du Maurier novels are The Parasites, Rebecca, Jamaica Inn,Hungry Hill and Julius.

I think that some authors can use too much description in their writing but Daphne uses it quite differently. In someway she actually paints a picture in my head of the characters and their surroundings, this description for me anyway really brings her novels to life. She is an author that I will never lose my admiration for and if I could only keep a handful of books more than one would be hers.

What are your thoughts on Daphne and her novels?


Now I see fan fiction has been mentioned. I love it! I think it has become so popular because it allows fans of films, TV series and novels to create stories or scenes between characters that they wish had been included in the original material.

I love it because there are so many imaginative and well written stories and I think it's fantastic for aspiring writers to try out their writing styles. Yes there are some really bizarre fan stories out there but there are so many incredible stories too that are written in the style of the series, film or novel they are based on. They are wish fulfilment really, they allow us to invent moments between characters that we wish had happened and write a story involving them.

I'm going to read some more of the replies on this thread, I'll check in again later.

Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

Hi Maddy! Great that you could make it to our caf. I'll join you for some hot beverage if I may. Autumn has started with a bang on the Continent as well

I have only read Jamaica Inn and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. While the former didn't leave much of an impression (but then, my English might just have been too rudimentary at the time) I simply adore Rebecca. I love the gothic elements and the fact that it picks up themes from Jane Eyre, but gives the story a different twist. By turning the mystery romance into a crime story about half-way through amongst other things.

And have you noticed, Maddybut of course you have!that we never learn the second Mrs de Winter's name throughout the novel? I always find this rather sad

EDIT: I just remembered that I replied to one of your posts on the JE06 board last month, and mentioned Rebecca then http://www.imdb.com/board/10780362/board/thread/246768096?d=246954448#246954448

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Now I see fan fiction has been mentioned.

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There actually is lots of fan fiction on this board and Heartfelt is very prominent amongst the writers here. If you like to read N&S fan fiction (and/or to join in) there's a recently updated table of contents:
http://www.imdb.com/board/10417349/board/thread/247445296

Hi birds.

Sorry for the late reply. You are so right that there are similarities between Jane Eyre and Rebecca, the house and master with a secret and a young and decent woman who is the exact opposite of the masters former wife. Both DeWinter and Rochester want to escape their past with these two gentle and innocent(in the ways of the world) women.


And have you noticed, Maddybut of course you have!that we never learn the second Mrs de Winter's name throughout the novel? I always find this rather sad

Yes that's strange isn't it? I always wondered if it's supposed to be because Rebecca is the one you are supposed to focus on. The former Mrs DeWinter's description and memory haunt the house, her husband and overwhelm the new Mrs DeWinter. It's almost like she could never compare to the beautiful dead wife. I always feel her name should be something like Margaret or Lily.

Yes I did see your reply on the Jane Eyre board and I finally got around to watching that series on YouTube. It was very well done but it wasn't my cup of tea I'm afraid. I was hoping for a proper acted out version of the story set today not a video diary.


Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

Hi Maddythanks for the reply! BTW, it wasn't me who suggested that Jane Eyre video blog I watched the first few videos, and then I couldn't be bothered. Not my idea of a modern Jane, either.

I did point out, though, that Jane Eyre couldn't possibly be transferred into a modern setting without some major alterations because some very basic conditions of the novel don't apply anymore, ever since divorce laws in England have been changed. So, in order to adapt the story, one would have to make some drastic alterations in the characters' motivationsjust like du Maurier did in Rebecca. Or maybe change the setting

I am quite a scientific person (in my 'real' life I'm an engineer), and so I like to ponder such logical dilemmas; which is also one of the reasons why I like doing research, and do so a lot for my little stories but, no doubt, this isn't everybody's cup of tea for starting a story.



As for the name of the second Mrs de Winter; I always assumed that she might have a rather unusual, exotic name, and thus quite at odds with her mostly timid, unobstrusive nature.

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Yes that's strange isn't it? I always wondered if it's supposed to be because Rebecca is the one you are supposed to focus on. The former Mrs DeWinter's description and memory haunt the house, her husband and overwhelm the new Mrs DeWinter. It's almost like she could never compare to the beautiful dead wife.

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That was my thinking as well Maddy.

Birds said:

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As for the name of the second Mrs de Winter; I always assumed that she might have a rather unusual, exotic name, and thus quite at odds with her mostly timid, unobstrusive nature.

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You could be right. Im trying to remember now because I dont have a copy of the book at the moment, but doesnt Maxim say to her that she has a pretty and unusual name, or something like that.

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You could be right. Im trying to remember now because I dont have a copy of the book at the moment, but doesnt Maxim say to her that she has a pretty and unusual name, or something like that.

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I must have remembered the same, then.

Hi Maddy. Welcome to the caf!

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She is one of my favourite authors and I love how descriptive and vivid her novels are. I find her novels so descriptive and they grab me from the first page. Her characters come alive for me in a way that those creations of other authors just don't. My favourite Du Maurier novels are The Parasites, Rebecca, Jamaica Inn,Hungry Hill and Julius.

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Ive read some Daphne De Maurier as well. My favourite is 'Rebecca'. But I also remember enjoying 'Jamaica Inn'. I read all her Cornish novels years ago. Its good when you find an author who can bring the characters alive for you isnt it? I feel like that about Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' books at the moment. But back to Du Maurier, I remember being surprised to find out that she wrote 'The Birds', which Ive also read. The film adaptation of that scared the hell out of me when I watched it as a child.

Its good when you find an author who can bring the characters alive for you isnt it?

Oh absolutely Laura. I'd love to know the secret of those authors who really make you see their characters, who needs film? Another author with that gift is J.K Rowling. Her Harry Potter novels and Cormoran Strike novels are excellent and filled with fascinating characters who leap off the page at you.


I haven't read the Outlander books yet but I am enjoying the TV series very much. I'll have to check them out.




Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

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I haven't read the Outlander books yet but I am enjoying the TV series very much. I'll have to check them out.

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You must check them out Maddy. If you are enjoying the Series, I think you will love them. I have never enjoyed a book series so much. Diana Gabaldon is a very talented storyteller. She really pulls you in.

Hi Maddy! So glad you dropped by! Though I cant post as often as Id like, I love the idea of discussions about writing and the stories weve read that pull us into the writers world.

When I began writing ff several years ago, I abstained from reading. I only had time for one or the other, so I chose writing during my limited spare time. This past winter I was unable write due to an ailing mother. I discovered the Outlander series and was captivated by the world Diana Gabaldon created.

Now I read with divided attention: from the pov of reader and writer. This can be distracting, my brain thinking oh, clever wording there when someone is about to die or be captured (!), but usually it doesnt interfere with my enjoyment of the story. By reading the works of others, Im seeking to learn how to be a better writer.

I must admit to not knowing about Daphne Du Mauriers works, but from your wonderful account of how descriptive and vivid her novels are, I am intrigued. A question: must I read her books in order and if not, which one would you recommend to start? I agree with your statement that some writers use too much description. This topic interests me as a novice, how great writers communicate more by saying less. Daphne using description differently is very fascinating!

Im glad that youre not opposed to the idea of ff, as some are. For many, it is the commencement of - at minimum - a wonderful pastime or possibly a lifetime endeavor/career. Either way, it serves a valuable purpose to a beginner. Even great writers began with baby steps, I would think. Theres an expression, Do not despise small beginnings with which I concur wholeheartedly! Thanks, Maddy! Waiting to hear your recommendations!

A question: must I read her books in order and if not, which one would you recommend to start?

No not at all because all of her novels are different stories. In addition to her novels she wrote a number of short stories too, including The Birds which the Alfred Hitchcock film is based on. Rebecca is probably the most recommended novel of Daphne's to begin with but I would recommend any of them.

If you do get to read any please let me know what you think of them and of her writing style. Happy reading!


Im glad that youre not opposed to the idea of ff, as some are

Personally I don't see why anyone would be opposed to it because it's such a great way of continuing characters stories. Like I said it's wish fulfilment really about things we wish characters had said or endured. There are some really good ones for TV series that seem like they're written by professional writers, they are that good. There are some really random ones out there but it's all good fun.

Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

Hi Maddy! I left off beginning Poldark to give 'Rebecca' a whirl.

I definitely agree with you that the writer has a wonderful gift of description! Beautiful natural imagery! And as a person who owns and landscape nursery garden center, I appreciate her knowledge of shrubbery, trees and perennials.

Since this is a writer's/reader's caf, I'd like to do a little analysis as I go, if I may. Ironically, from a reader's pov, I found I became fatigued with the detailed descriptions after a while . I tried to analyze why and came to conclusion that I didn't know enough about the narrator at that point to care about her extensive observations (remember I had only read two or three chapters).

From a writer's pov, I've learned that detailed narration is fine; but to be most effective, I must engage the reader at a personal level before submerging them in detailed descriptions. By linking the narrator to other characters or to a scenario, the reader learns a little of who they are and at that point their observations become more valuable. My interest in the story increased greatly while observing the young woman's interactions with her benefactress and her new acquaintance, the stranger at the next table; and, I would wager, re-reading the long narration in the beginning chapters with this emerging character in mind will be much more satisfying.

Please don't take this as a negative comment , Maddy! I'm looking forward to reading this story BECAUSE of the skill level of the writer! She's amazing. I like to learn something from each reading experience that I can incorporate, hopefully, in my own writings. I will report back

I must read Rebecca again. I had a paper back copy but the text was so small I couldnt read it comfortably even with my strongest reading glasses. I will have to get a copy on my Kindle. I do remember enjoying it very much. I thought the film adaptation was pretty faithful as well.

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I will have to get a copy [of Rebecca] on my Kindle. I do remember enjoying it very much. I thought the film adaptation was pretty faithful as well.

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That's good to know, Laura. I didn't know there was a film adaptation. I love seeing a favorite book on film. Occasionally, I enjoy a not-so-favorite book on film, as in "Far From the Madding Crowd". I read a bit more of 'Rebecca' last night and enjoyed ituntil I fell asleep. Not from boredom!! I was reading it on my android e-reader in bedwhich can be dangerous when the reader slips from your grasp as you doze off and hits you in the face.

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I didn't know there was a film adaptation.

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It is quite an old one from 1940 with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is very good. Maybe you could watch it after you have read the book so you can compare.

Actually (and I know I'm being a bore with my Rebecca - Jane Eyre comparisons ) Joan Fontaine was Jane Eyre, too. In 1943, with Orson Welles (!) as Rochester. http://www.imdb.com/board/10036969/?ref_=nv_sr_5

It is quite an old one from 1940 with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is very good. You should watch it after you have read the book so you can compare.

Brilliant film and I second the recommendation of it.There are also two superb miniseries of Rebecca one from 1979 starring Jeremy Brett and one from 1997 starring Charles Dance. Both are well worth watching.



Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

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I was reading it on my android e-reader in bedwhich can be dangerous when the reader slips from your grasp as you doze off and hits you in the face.

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Yup, that's the way it ends up for me. Books hit you harder I discovered

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Pat said:
I was reading it on my android e-reader in bedwhich can be dangerous when the reader slips from your grasp as you doze off and hits you in the face.



Thomas said:
"Yup, that's the way it ends up for me. Books hit you harder I discovered"

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I'm sure they do, Thomas! There's nothing like being clobbered by a great story! It leaves a deep impression.

Hi Maddy! I left off beginning Poldark to give 'Rebecca' a whirl.

I definitely agree with you that the writer has a wonderful gift of description! Beautiful natural imagery! And as a person who owns and landscape nursery garden center, I appreciate her knowledge of shrubbery, trees and perennials.

Since this is a writer's/reader's caf, I'd like to do a little analysis as I go, if I may. Ironically, from a reader's pov, I found I became fatigued with the detailed descriptions after a while . I tried to analyze why and came to conclusion that I didn't know enough about the narrator at that point to care about her extensive observations (remember I had only read two or three chapters).

Hi heartfelt,


I'm so thrilled that you've decided to read it. I do hope you enjoy it and check out a few more of her books.

As for the description I can see your point about not knowing enough about the narrator, I can see how that might put some people off a character. I much prefer stories written in the third person. Personally speaking I love everything about this novel, I usually cannot stand stories written in the first person but this one just pulled me in from page one and I've loved it ever since I first read it.

I hope you'll check back in once you've finished reading and let us know what you think of the whole story.




Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

Hi Maddy.

I love the story of Rebecca, although it's been a while since I read the book.

The adaptations are great, although the 1940s' film changed the ending. I'm going to see a stage version in Brighton later on this month. Looking forward to it. The actor who plays Zacky Martin in the latest Poldark is Max.

I saw it once before on the stage with June Brown (Dot Cotton) as Mrs Danvers. She was brilliant!






If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.

Hi Supergran!

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The adaptations are great, although the 1940s' film changed the ending.

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I heard they did so because the American producers at the time had scruples of letting the main character get away with well, murder. But 'adaptations', plural? Are there others than the 1940ies one?