Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again... Working as a lady's companion, the heroine of Rebecca learns her place. Life begins to look very bleak until, on a trip to the South of France, she meets Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower whose sudden proposal of marriage takes her by surprise. She accepts, but whisked from glamorous Monte Carlo to the ominous and brooding Manderley, the new Mrs de Winter finds Max a changed man. And the memory of his dead wife Rebecca is forever kept alive by the forbidding Mrs Danvers...

Genre: Fiction, Modern Classic, Gothic
Publisher: Virago Press
Year: 1938
Rating: 5/5

Rebecca follows the story of the new Mrs de Winter, a young, shy woman who finds herself whisked away from her employment as a lady's companion, to the impressive Manderley, to be wife to the rich and aloof, Mr Maxim de Winter.

At first, this seems like a dream come true. Inexperienced in love and life, and totally smitten with Maxim , she wants nothing more than to please him. But this isn't an easy task. Once the newlyweds return from their carefree honeymoon to Manderley, Maxim seems to change. He no longer seems happy with her, or comfortable in their home. A place that was once home to him and his late wife, Rebecca.

Remnants of his life with Rebecca seem to be everywhere. Rebecca seems to reach out from the grave and her presence permeates throughout the house. Mrs Danvers, Rebecca's faithful maid does all she can to keep Rebecca's memory alive and the new Mrs de Winter can not seem to escape her influence.

Will the memory of Rebecca come between Maxim and the new Mrs de Winter? What is Mrs Danvers up to? And what is the dark secret that Manderley is hiding? Are things really as they seem?

What did I think?

I loved this novel. Talk about a great gothic mystery! Du Maurier has taken a relatviely "normal" situation, and added an air of suspense, menace and foreboding the makes for great reading.

This is the ultimate "other woman" story. We have a young, naive girl trying to not only figure out who she is as a person, and how to be a wife, but then having to juggle this with the feeling of a third person intruding in her marriage. For someone ill-equipped, this is a hard task. 

The new Mrs de Winter feels as if she just can't match up to the beautiful, worldly and sophistication Rebecca. Everywhere she turns, she is faced with the sort of competition that is impossible to fight – a dead woman. And a "perfect" one at that. But things aren't always as they seem. Everyone has secrets.

Just when I thought I had this novel all figured out, Du Maurier threw me a curve ball that took me by surprise! Oh what a twist it is!

Du Maurier's prose is elegant and insightful. Her descriptions of places, people, thoughts and feelings realistic and engrossing. I couldn't put this novel down.

I also love it how Du Maurier never gives our heroine a name, she is only known as Mrs de Winter. Never forming her own identity, but continually being defined by others perceptions. This lack of a name is effective in the characterisation of our heroine and allowing us to sympathise with her. We can understand why she won't take control of the household, and feels like she lives in Rebecca's shadow. She never really comes into herself until the events that transpire at Manderley.

I also love how the decisions she makes are questionable. Her morality debatable... yet understandable. What would you do in that situation? It's easy to hypothesise but who really knows until they are faced with a similar dilemma?

I'd recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good gothic novel or mystery. This novel is extremely well written (so much so that the implausible seems plausible!) and I can see why this novel is considered a modern classic. I can't wait to devour more books by Du Maurier!

Want to grab a copy of this book? Try Book Depository!

Lord of the Flies - William Golding

A plane crashes on a desert island and the only survivors, a group of schoolboys, assemble on the beach and wait to be rescued. By day they inhabit a land of bright fantastic birds and dark blue seas, but at night their dreams are haunted by the image of a terrifying beast. As the boys' delicate sense of order fades, so their childish dreams are transformed into something more primitive, and their behaviour starts to take on a murderous, savage significance. 

Genre: Fiction, Modern Classic, Allegorical Novel
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Year: 1954
Rating: 3.5/5

Lord of the Flies has been on my TBR list for years. It's one of those modern classics that everyone has heard of due to the fact it has won many awards and has been made into two films.

I pretty much knew the story before I picked up this novel. I vaguely remember seeing the 1963 version of the film on TV. My mum made me watch it because this is one of her favourite books. Despite knowing what was going to happen, I did not feel let down or like anything was detracted from the story. 

This novel follows a group of boys who have landed on an island when their plane crashed. Most seem not to know each other but it is never really explained why they were on the plane.. except there seems to be some kind of war. 

The boys quickly elect a leader, Ralph, and set about building shelters, hunting for food and lighting a signal fire in the hope of rescue. At first, everything seems to be working out ok, until the self-appointed hunters let the signal fire go out. This creates tension and a faction soon develops, resulting in some pretty shocking scenes before the final dramatic ending. 

This novel deals with the loss of innocence, the raw truth about human nature, the nature of fear and the good of the majority opposed to individual welfare. It can also be view as an allegorical novel as each character represents a different aspect of human nature, from the good to the bad. 

This is a must read for those of you that love modern classics. I admit I found the prose a little dry and hard to get through at times, but the shocking actions of the boys and the themes it contains make it well worth the read.

Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell

1984 is one of those modern classics that I had been meaning to read for years. I once borrowed a copy of this novel from the local library, probably about seven years ago now, but I only go a few chapters in and my cat ate it.... well, she ate half a page out of it anyway, so I didn't get to finish it. I did, however, learn not to leave books lying around because kittens like to eat good literature. 

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway over at Roof Beam Reader, where I got to pick a novel from any of his banned literature posts! How awesome is that?! So, I picked 1984. 

Genre: Fiction, Modern Classics, Dystopian
Publisher: Harcourt Brace
Year: 1949
Rating: 3/5

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent – even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101...

In this novel, Winston is a government employee living in Oceania. The world as we know it, and the division of countries, no longer exists. Due to war and political upheaval, the world is divided into three main states: Oceania, Eastasia and Eurasia.

Winston's job at the Ministry of Truth, involves editing historical documents to the benefit of the party. Winston must re-write history in order to make the government seem omniscient. He also alters photographs to get rid of people who have been killed by the party, or made into 'unpersons'.

Winston lives in a dingy apartment with a telescreen. All buildings, both public and private, must have a telescreen so that the party can keep an eye on what the people are doing. Winston is lucky enough to have a small alcove in his apartment, out of view of the telescreen, which affords him a little privacy. Here he writes in his journal (a crime in itself) and thinks about the rumoured underground resistance that could bring down the party.

I quite enjoyed this book. What struck me the most about it, was how I could see this happening. The idea of living in a dystopian future where 'Big Brother' or 'the party' rules the lives of all their citizens was somewhat unsettling because it could happen. I guess this is why this novel is one of the most banned books of the 20th century (see the Saturday, Uncensored! post here).

We currently live in a world where our governments currently use fear to control the masses, to a certain extent. For example, since 9/11 measures have been taken in the guise of public safety. Even in Australia, we have new laws and security measures to 'keep the public safe' which in effect, take away the rights and liberties of people who are only 'suspected' of illegal activity. 

We also have safety cameras all over Sydney, in order to prevent crime. There have been many jokes about 'big brother' watching us... which is kind of creepy. That said, if I were mugged I would probably be grateful it was caught on camera so there would be more chance of the suspect being caught, but it does make you wonder who is behind these cameras?

Anyway, I digress... the telescreens in this book, which the government used to constantly keep an eye of the citizens of Oceania creeped me out. Imagine having someone watch you all the time, even in your own home? All so they can make sure you don't commit a crime against the party. 

The fact that 'thought crime' was the most serious offense you could commit against the party, meriting death, was also really scary. Imagine living in a world where you are not even free to think what you may if it is against the government? I feel lucky that we live in a country where we openly mock our politicians. That's a freedom I am glad to have! 

I must admit, I found Orwell's style of writing a little dry. But the premise for this story and Winston's fight to retain his individuality and his right to keep his mind his own, made for interesting reading. 

Have you read this novel? What did you think?

The Crucible - Arthur Miller

The Crucible is considered an important work in American drama. The history related to this play and the themes that it encompasses, make it a great high school English text. Since I will be teaching this text this term, I needed to read it (obviously!). 

Genre: Drama, Play, Tragedy
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 1953
Rating: 5/5

Arthur Miller's classic parable of mass hysteria draws a chilling parallel between the Salem witch-hunt of 1692 - 'one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history' - and the McCarthyism which gripped America in the 1950s. The story of how the small community of Salem is stirred into madness by superstition, paranoia and malice, culminating in a violent climax, is a savage attack on the evils of mindless persecution and the terrifying power of false accusations.

As stated in the blurb above, Miller uses his retelling of the Salem witch-hunts as a parable to show the parallel to McCarthyism. I feel this play can be related to any such situation where false accusations, mass hysteria and persecution of a supposed threat take over from reason. I am sure we can all think of current examples of this happening in our society.

The play begins with a group of teenage girls being caught out dancing in the forest. In the puritan town of Salem, dancing is not permitted. Two of the girls fall ill and the towns people want answers. They are a superstitious, god-fearing group and soon whispers of witchcraft and the devil make their rounds. The girls themselves confess to seeing the devil and hysteria takes over the town, with horrendous consequences.

The Crucible brings together the themes of intolerance, power, belonging, the consequences of religious beliefs in the court system (historically speaking) and the lengths 'good Christians' will go to seek revenge or to enable personal gain. Although a short and quick read (it's only 126 pages long), this play really warrants a second reading to understand and appreciate its complexities. Miller really did put a lot into those 126 pages!

This play isn't entirely historically accurate. Miller took some creative license and changed some facts to suit his purpose but this play is still a good place to start when learning about the Salem witch-hunts. This is something I have always found interesting, but I have never bothered to read much about the witch-hunts before. After reading The Crucible, however, I feel more inclined to learn more about this chapter in American history.

I really enjoyed this play and I am looking forward to teaching it  in the coming term and analysing it in detail, with my students.

The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis

The Screwtape Letters is one of those books that has been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time. Since I spent this weekend stuck in bed with a horrible case of the flu, I decided to ask my fiance to pick me something short to read (my attention span isn't the greatest when I have a constant headache) and he chose The Screwtape Letters.

Genre: Fiction, Satire

Year Published: 1942

Publisher: HarperCollins

Rating: 2/5

How do you teach someone to turn their back on their friends and behave really badly? And what happens when you lose faith in your convictions and turn to the dark side of your nature?

Screwtape knows. For Screwtape is an experienced devil whose  newphew Wormwood is at the beginning of his demonic career and has been assigned to secure the destruction of a young man. 

As the senior fiend advises his young apprentice in leading humanity astray, Lewis delves into questions about good and evil, temptation, repentance, and grace, offering knowledge and guidance to all who are trying to live good Christian lives.

I must admit that I did try to read this book once before. I got through the first two letters and gave up. I am not a big fan of novels that are written in letter format. I find this style of writing disjointed, especially when we are only getting half of the correspondence. To me, a good novel needs to flow almost seamlessly.

I had heard a lot of good things about this novel though, so was determined to give it a go. It turned out to be quite a quick read. Although, I found the Christian themes and overtones a little too much.

Which, since this novel is a Christian satire, you might find quite amusing. I too can see the absurdity in that statement, but I really hoped that this novel would be an interesting read with underlying Christian themes (like The Chronicles of Narnia) instead of "an in-your-face, this is how you should live your life, this is what is right, this is what is wrong", type novel. 

This book is told from a devils point of view in an effort to point out the problems associated with living a non-Christian life. Lewis does a good job of mocking the negative side of human nature, which I did find quite amusing, but he also spends a lot of time pointing out the so-called "only" alternative, to living a good life.

I feel there are many different ways to live a good and happy life so this novel conflicted with my personal beliefs, non-beliefs and experiences. That said, I think it is important to sometimes read literature that takes us out of our comfort zone and that conflicts with our way of thinking in order to open our minds to new ideas. In this case, the ideas in this novel weren't really new to me, but it was still a type of story I wouldn't normally read.

If you are a practicing Christian then I am sure you will love this novel as it is relating everything you already believe. If you are a lover of literature and want to expand your reading then again, pick it up. If you really can't stand books that preach to you then give it a miss. 

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey

One Flew Cuckoo's Nest is a set text in the 'Villainy' module, in the preliminary HSC English course. I needed to read this text for work. Like The Fiftieth Gate I read this novel as a teacher, looking for connections to the syllabus.

Genre: Fiction

Year Published: 1962

Publisher: Picador

Rating: 3/5

Chief Bromden, half American-Indian, whom the authorities believe is deaf and dumb, tells the story of a mental institution ruled by Big Nurse on behalf of the all-powerful Combine.

Into this terrifying grey world comes McMurphy, a brawling gambling man, who wages total war on behalf of his cowed fellow-inmates. What follows is at once hilarious and heroic, tragic and ultimately liberating. 

I must admit, I prefer to read novels for pleasure than for work. When I pick up a novel for pleasure it is purely that, I enjoy it. When I am reading for work, however, I need to look for links to the syllabus, I need to look for literary technique, for themes, for structure, for purpose and audience. I need to analyse the characters and think to myself "does this scene best display the theme of power in the novel? would this paragraph be a good example to use in an essay? wow, that character just died! that's so sad... this is the perfect example of how the suppression of individuality can result in tragedy!"... you see what I mean?

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel about an asylum. There are many characters in this novel but it is primarily about McMurphy, the protagonist, who gets committed to the institution after having many run ins with the law. He is sentenced to 4 months at a work farm, but not being one to warm to hard labour, he pleads insanity in order to sit out his sentence in the comfort of the hospital. Little does McMurphy know that once you are involuntarily committed, it is up to the nursing staff and doctors to release you when they feel you are ready. 

Then we have Nurse Ratched. An ex-military nurse who runs her ward like she would have for the soldiers. She is big, mean, calculating, and basically the perfect villain. She takes away not only privileges if the patients do not bend to her will, but also basic human necessities. She also does not hesitate to send patients to the outdated shock therapy  room if they become too disobedient, or in extreme cases,  to surgery for a lobotomy. Not only do all the patients fear her, but so does the rest of the hospital staff.

McMurphy loves a good challenge, so in an effort to make some money and bring some fun into the ward, he makes a bet with the patients that he can make Nurse Ratched lose her temper. This is something which she always refrains from doing as she prefers to wield her power with a calm,cold demeanor. This results in some funny scenes where McMurphy does all he can to anger the nurse and cheer up his fellow inmates. 

Through this, McMurphy becomes a symbol of hope and freedom for the patients. He unwittingly helps them in ways that the medical staff can not. But he also makes an enemy out of Nurse Ratched who is willing to bide her time and do what she must to reassert her power over the ward. 

Chief Bromden makes a good narrator because he sees things in the hospital that others do not. Lucky for him, because he did not respond to anyone when he was hosiptalised, they figure him deaf and dumb. This means that the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff do not hesitate to discuss other patients in front of him. He knows everything that is going on in the ward.

This novel is at times funny, difficult to read (due to the narrators mental health problems and ways he sees the world) and sad. It gives a good look at the problems facing patients in mental health facilities, the loss of freedom, the struggles to make amends with ones past and the ability to look forward to the future.

Post Office – Charles Bukowski

Post Office is a novel by Charles Bukowski and is seen as an autobiographical work. It is about a man named Henry Chinaski. He works for the US postal service and really hates his job yet he sticks it out for more than 12 years. This book follows his work life (describing it’s drudgery in great detail) and private life while he is employed with this service.

Henry Chinaski is a low life loser with a hand-to-mouth existence. His menial Post Office day job supports a life of beer, one-night stands and racetracks. Lurid, uncompromising and hilarious, Post Office is a landmark in American literature.

I love Bukowski’s poetry so decided to give one of his novels a go. I got this one off bookmooch a few months ago and finally got around to reading it this week.

In this novel, Chinaski lives his life drunk, hungover and looking for a quick buck and quick lay. All of these things he seems to find with no problem. He is a bad worker (he doesn’t show up, he works slowly and he gives everyone lip) but the postal service won’t lay him off and as much as he hates it he struggles to leave it’s clutches.

This really is the ‘ultimate hate your job novel’. Bukowski does a great job of describing the work of a US post employee and I can tell you, I am so glad that it is not my job! Even reading about it was tiring and dull…. yet for some reason I actually wanted to keep reading. This novel was good, yet painful, so I guess Bukoswki achieved his aim in writing this book.

If you have ever been in a menial job you really hate but you continue to work there, then you will understand this novel.

Rating 3/5