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TL;DR: A shy young woman marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and moves to his grand Cornish estate, Manderley. There she is haunted by the memory of his glamorous first wife, Rebecca, and tormented by the sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. When Rebecca's sunken boat is found, a dark secret about her death comes to light.
Table of Contents
Rebecca at a Glance
| Author | Daphne du Maurier |
| First published | 1938 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a gripping gothic classic of suspense and secrets |
Rebecca is a novel by Daphne du Maurier, first published in 1938. It opens with the famous line “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” and was adapted into an Oscar-winning Alfred Hitchcock film in 1940. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes murder, a suicide attempt and emotional manipulation.
Main Characters
- The narrator: A shy young woman who becomes the second Mrs. de Winter.
- Maxim de Winter: Her wealthy, brooding older husband.
- Rebecca: Maxim's beautiful first wife, who died before the story begins.
- Mrs. Danvers: The housekeeper, fiercely devoted to Rebecca's memory.
- Jack Favell: Rebecca's cousin and lover.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Monte Carlo
The unnamed narrator works as a paid companion to the snobbish Mrs. Van Hopper in Monte Carlo. There she meets Maxim de Winter, a rich widower. After a brief courtship, he proposes, and she accepts.
Manderley
At Manderley, the narrator feels out of place. Everything reminds her of Rebecca, whose taste still rules the house. Mrs. Danvers treats her coldly and keeps Rebecca's rooms like a shrine. The narrator believes Maxim still loves Rebecca.
The costume ball
Mrs. Danvers tricks the narrator into wearing a costume copied from a portrait, the same one Rebecca wore at her last ball. Maxim is horrified. Afterward, Mrs. Danvers nearly persuades the narrator to jump from a window.
The confession
A shipwreck leads divers to find Rebecca's boat with her body inside. Maxim confesses that he hated Rebecca, who was cruel and unfaithful, and that he shot her after she taunted him about carrying another man's child. He then sank her body in the boat. The narrator, relieved that he never loved Rebecca, stands by him.
The ending
An inquest rules suicide, but Favell accuses Maxim of murder. A visit to Rebecca's doctor in London reveals she was dying of cancer and was not pregnant, suggesting she provoked Maxim on purpose. Maxim is cleared. Driving home, they see a glow in the sky: Manderley is burning.
5 Key Takeaways
- Our insecurities can make us see ghosts everywhere.
- Appearances can hide cruelty.
- The past can grip a home and a marriage.
- Growing confidence can transform a person.
- Secrets have a cost.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.
- Jealousy of an imagined rival can be poisonous.
- People are rarely what their reputation suggests.
Who Should Read Rebecca?
Read Rebecca if you want a suspenseful, atmospheric classic. It suits older teens and adults who love gothic stories and twists.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Rebecca:
- Why is the narrator never named?
- Is Maxim sympathetic?
- What does Manderley represent?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Rebecca is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Rebecca, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
If the summary caught your interest, read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a book work or not.
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What to Read Next
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: another gothic romance with a hidden secret
- My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier: du Maurier's other suspense classic
- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: a modern gothic mystery
Related: Rebecca Ending Explained · 15 Books Like Rebecca You’ll Love: Gothic Romance, Secrets and Haunted Mansions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rebecca about?
A young bride is haunted by her husband's first wife, whose death hides a secret.
What is the first line?
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
Who killed Rebecca?
Maxim shot her.
What is the narrator's name?
She is never named.
What happens to Mrs. Danvers?
She disappears, and Manderley burns.
Where is Manderley?
On the coast of Cornwall.
Is there a film?
Yes, Hitchcock's 1940 film and a 2020 Netflix version.
How long is it?
About 400 pages.
Why did Maxim marry the narrator?
He was drawn to her innocence and honesty, the opposite of Rebecca.
Who are the main characters in Rebecca?
The main characters are the narrator, Maxim de Winter, Rebecca, Mrs. Danvers and Jack Favell. The narrator: A shy young woman who becomes the second Mrs. de Winter. Maxim de Winter: Her wealthy, brooding older husband. Rebecca: Maxim's beautiful first wife, who died before the story begins.
Is Rebecca worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a gripping gothic classic of suspense and secrets. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.