Rebecca's Tale

The haunting legacy of a beloved character

Sally Beauman author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group

Published:2nd May '02

Should be back in stock very soon

Rebecca's Tale cover

This captivating companion to a classic novel reexamines the life and death of Rebecca, challenging the accepted narrative and uncovering hidden truths.

From Sally Beauman, the bestselling author of Rebecca's Tale, comes a daring and captivating exploration of one of literature's most beloved stories. This companion piece delves into the aftermath of Rebecca's death, focusing on family friend Colonel Julyan who receives an anonymous parcel on the twentieth anniversary of her passing. Inside, he discovers a black notebook titled 'Rebecca's Tale,' along with two photographs that reignite memories of the enigmatic first wife of Maxim de Winter. The contents of this parcel prompt Julyan to reflect on the true nature of Rebecca's life and death, challenging the narrative that has long been accepted.

As Colonel Julyan grapples with his own conscience regarding the official account of Rebecca's demise, the story unfolds to reveal the complexities of her character. Was she the manipulative femme fatale as Maxim portrayed her, or a tragic figure deserving of sympathy? The arrival of the notebook and photographs forces Julyan to reconsider everything he thought he knew about Rebecca, leading to a deeper investigation into her past and the events surrounding her death.

Rebecca's Tale not only reexamines the original story but also invites readers to question the reliability of memory and truth. With a rich narrative that intertwines mystery, romance, and gothic elements, this book is a masterful resurrection of a classic tale, offering new insights into the life of Rebecca and the shadows she left behind.

The artful Sally Beauman plays extremely clever games with the staples of popular fiction, moving the pieces to make original and intriguing patterns . . . A hugely entertaining read, seriously romantic and with a terrific sense of atmosphere. Sally Beauman's control of her complex material is absolute * Kate Saunders, DAILY EXPRESS *
Compelling, absorbing, captivating, haunting- Sally Beauman's most ambitious and imaginative book so far * Elaine Showalter *
REBECCA'S TALE is bold and clever...In this evocative and compulsive reworking of the balance of power between the sexes, Sally Beauman steers her creation into feminist territory and succeeds in overturning our loyalties. * Elizabeth Buchan, THE TIMES *
Once you start reading a Beauman book, you can't put it down, as Rebecca's Tale attests...I felt satisfied that she had done an extraordinary thing; she convinced me that the Rebecca of these assorted memories really was the Rebecce that du Maurier's novel * Linda Grant, GUARDIAN *

  • Short-listed for WH Smith Thumping Good Read Award 2002
  • Short-listed for WH Smith Thumping Good Read Book Award 2002

ISBN: 9780751533132

Dimensions: 198mm x 131mm x 32mm

Weight: 430g

640 pages