Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a riveting classic novel that tells the story of a young newlywed couple, Maxim de Winter and the unnamed narrator. The narrator is thrust into the life of her husband's home, which is haunted by her predecessor, the late Rebecca de Winter, whose death was shrouded in mystery. She battles with a malevolent housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who is determined to keep Rebecca's memory alive, and struggles with Maxim's continued emotional distance and haunted memories.
Chapter 1
The novel opens with the narrator staying at the Manderley estate. She is a timid, yet determined young woman who is just beginning her married life with Maxim. She is also slightly overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of the estate. However, she is soon reminded of the presence of Rebecca, the previous owner, whose memory still lingers over the estate.
Chapter 2
The narrator explores the home and meets Mrs. Danvers, the fiercely loyal housekeeper who still remembers her late mistress with great fondness. Mrs. Danvers does her best to make the narrator feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in the home. She encourages the narrator to emulate the perfection and grace of her beloved Rebecca.
Chapter 3
The narrator is taken to Manderley's grounds and parterre gardens and begins to get a better idea of the life of Max and Rebecca before her arrival. She also discovers that all of the locals still have a strong attachment to Rebecca. She learns of Rebecca's death and the inquest that followed in the press and among the townsfolk.
Chapter 4
Maxim takes the narrator away on a romantic outing at Monte Carlo and during their time there, the narrator is able to ask Maxim what really happened to Rebecca. Maxim admits his role in her death and reveals for the first time his inner turmoil and grief for his late wife.
Chapter 5
The narrator returns to Manderley and is quickly reminded how different life is compared to Rebecca's. The housekeeper continues to treat her with disdain and scorn and makes it clear that she is unhappy with the narrator's presence. The narrator makes it her mission to make the home hers and restore it to the way it was before Rebecca's death.
Chapter 6
Maxim's sister, Beatrice, arrives to Manderley and helps to lift some of the heaviness in the air. She tries to help the narrator confront the housekeeper and make her own mark on the estate. However, the housekeeper's relentless loyalty to Rebecca takes its toll on the narrator and her morale.
Chapter 7
The narrator finds the courage to address Mrs. Danvers' stubbornness and begins to get more involved in the running of Manderley. She also begins to uncover further details surrounding Rebecca's death and the true identity of her accuser.
Chapter 8
The narrator discovers a set of letters that reveal details of a scandalous affair between Maxim and Rebecca. This leaves the narrator shaken and she begins to question her own self-worth and her place in Maxim's life.
Chapter 9
Maxim and the narrator must confront the truth about what happened to Rebecca and the main suspect in the investigation, Jack Favell. The narrator must ultimately decide if she loves Maxim and is strong enough to face what happened between them and Rebecca.
Chapter 10
The novel culminates with a thrilling climax in which the narrator must put all of the pieces together in order to reveal the true events that occurred between Maxim, Rebecca, and Jack Favell and clear Maxim's name. In the end, the narrator learns to break free from Rebecca's shadow and embrace her own identity as the new mistress of Manderley.
