As is our custom here at 5 Minutes for Books, we like to offer a teaser of sorts, a few questions to get you thinking about your own review of the book. As always, these are just suggestions; by no means will we be checking to make sure you’ve answered them all!
A few things I’ve pondered in my reading of Rebecca:
Why do you think the heroine remains nameless? (did you notice she was never referred to by name?) Don’t you find it interesting that the novel is titled “Rebecca” yet our narrator is nameless? Why the contrast, do you think? Do you see her anonymity as indicative of some deeper meaning?
Did you like Maxim at first? Did you trust him? Why do you think the narrator was so unsure of his affection? Did you share her doubt? What gave her confidence in his love–or did she remain insecure? Did you alter your opinion of either Maxim or the narrator in the course of the novel? What made you change your mind?
Rebecca has one of the more famous opening lines in literature. How do the opening lines set the tone of the novel?
How would you classify Rebecca? Love story? Ghost story? Tragedy? Mystery? It’s been called one of the greatest gothic romances; would you agree?
Without giving too much away (hate spoilers), were you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?
Remember to come back August 4 and let us know what you thought! I can’t wait to read your reviews; I hope you love Rebecca as I much I do!
On October 6, join us for a contemporary pick — Rooftops of Tehran. You can check out my review to see why I loved this book.
September 1 we’ll be discussing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….
The questions you have asked are very thought provoking. I finished Rebecca last week and have my post almost ready. The bummer is, I will be out of town(camping) next Tuesday. When I arrive back home (Wednesday), I will link my post.
This book I found to be very good. Many different thoughts run through my head. I look forward to reading what others thought.
I read Rebecca for the first time a couple of years ago. I loved it. It is so atmospheric, so well written. I found it highly telling that the book is titled Rebecca; it is an appropriate title, because Rebecca looms larger than life throughout the book–much larger than the narrator, in many ways. I found the ending satisfactory but not what I was hoping for. I grew to like Maxim throughout the novel, but at the beginning I wasn’t sure what to make of him.
I just thought I’d whip off a couple of my thoughts, because I won’t be around next week.
I’ll be back! (And am glad for the additional reminder!)
Rebecca is actually on my Summer hope to read list. Still is in the “hope to” category.
[...] linking up your post below or in the comments. You can just give us your thoughts, or you can use our discussion questions as a guide. We look forward to reading your [...]
[...] has posted all kinds of good discussion questions in anticipation of this month’s Classics Bookclub, but I’m not even going to attempt to [...]
Great discussion questions!