Agatha Christie sometimes have plots were the solution hinges on an objective look on the more immutable facts without all the distractions. Who died? Who gained? By keeping our intentions elsewhere, on alibis and presumed motives etc., she can distract us from those most basic questions until the final reveal. Only then does she change our perspective so that the new, often simpler, pattern of the crime emerges.
Reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier I was reminded of those kinds of perspective changes. Although a different type of storyteller, Daphne du Maurier too excels at shifting the perspective along the way, honestly giving hints to the objective facts of the plot, but making sure that the reader has their attention focused elsewhere at the time. As the story twists and turns so does the readers perspective.
I read Rebecca for the first time a few weeks back, but still find myself thinking back on it and looking forward to a reread when all the major plot points will be known by me and I can observe the author working behind the scenes to set it all up. While the perspective changes was what made me most impressed it was also a satisfying books in other ways, entertaining and easily read, with descriptions lush enough to enchant even a mostly non-visual reader as myself, and an intriguing plot. I will certainly read more books by Daphne du Maurier.
I read that in a book 
I started this novel and, as is often the way with me, got sidetracked and keep thinking I must get back to it. I’m encouraged by your comments, however, to pick it up sooner rather than later, if only to note the ways you me tion in which she, like an acxomplished stage magician, distracts and misdirects the reader.
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I also tend to get sidetracked from books, even good ones. I really liked Rebecca though and although the beginning is a bit slow it does pick-up pace eventually.
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I’ve really enjoyed many books by Daphne Du Maurier. One I read this year was The Scapegoat, a tale of switched identities set in France – suspenseful and fun!
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Good to know! I hope to read a few Daphne du Maurier next year, so I will keep it in mind, thanks!
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Another du Maurier book with interesting perspective issues is “The House on the Strand,” which is partly historical, partly sci-fi.
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Sounds interesting, I really look forward to exploring more of du Maurier’s novels!
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Rebecca is the only one I’ve read and I keep meaning to read more too, the atmosphere she creates is wonderful
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I agree, that was one of the things that really impressed me with the novel. I look forward to reading some of her other works!
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It’s one of the classics I haven’t read – seems that I must remedy that soon!
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