'My Cousin Rachel' by Daphne du Maurier is a psychological thriller set in the 19th century, revolving around the protagonist Philip Ashley who becomes infatuated with his cousin Rachel after his guardian Ambrose's mysterious death. The story is narrated through Philip's perspective, portraying his obsession and paranoia towards Rachel, leading to a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and manipulation. The atmospheric and suspenseful writing style of du Maurier keeps the reader engaged, with a slow burn narrative that gradually unravels the mysteries surrounding the characters.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of death, potential poisoning, and manipulation, which may be unsettling for some readers.
Has Romance?
The novel features strong romantic elements as the relationship between Philip and Rachel is central to the plot.
From The Publisher:
Daphne du Maurier's classic novel of lust, suspicion, and obsession that inspired major motion picture starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin.
Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent older cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in Philip as his heir, and Philip grows to love Ambrose's grand estate as much as he does. But the cozy world the two construct is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries a mysterious distant cousin named Rachel - and there he dies suddenly.
Jealous of his marriage, racked by suspicion at the hints in Ambrose's letters, and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin's widow with hatred in his heart. But when she arrives at the estate, Rachel seems to be a different woman from the one described in Ambrose's letters. Beautiful, sophisticated, and magnetic, Philip cannot help but feel drawn to Rachel.
And yet, questions still linger: might she have had a hand in Ambrose's death? And how, exactly, did Ambrose die? As Philip pursues the answers to these questions, he realizes that his own fate could hang in the balance.
Ratings (36)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (14) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (6) | |
Did Not Like (3) |
Reader Stats (85):
Read It (39) | |
Want To Read (39) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (5) |
2 comment(s)
My cousin Rachel is one of the books by Daphne Du Maurier I have been wanting to read the most. And it did most definitely not disappoint! Very atmospheric and eeriely story telling that had me glued to the page. She was such a talented reader and I'm so glad I'm getting more able to read more of her books
I do not understand how this is du Maurier's second most popular novel; it's my least favorite of her works so far, and by quite a bit. The fact that it took me almost three weeks to finish...says a lot.
The problem is Philip. He is childish, boring, and
incredibly passive (not to mention that he's
possibly the dumbest character I've ever read
). I understand that these traits are intentional and he's supposed to be unlikeable, but much of the book is spent following him around as he sulks. If you're going to write an unlikeable main character, at least make him
do things: even when
he "kills" Rachel, he doesn't play an active role in her death, but passively neglects to mention that the bridge is dangerous. I am honestly shocked he was convicted of her murder
. (If du Maurier was dead set on telling this story,
Rachel would have made a much more interesting main character, despite the fact that she's not a terribly sympathetic character, either
.) The only truly likeable character was Louise, who fairly leapt off the page every scene she was in…which was, what, three?
When it came to the plot, this was pretty predictable. It was also pretty slow, with the middle a real slog (largely thanks to, again, Philip's passivity and general unbearableness). The last 100 or so pages picked up a bit, but still not enough to be actually enjoyable.
I will admit, there was one stroke of brilliance: those last two sentences. Yet again,
du Maurier has written a novel that immediately requires a re-read of the opening pages, which, in hindsight, are truly a masterful piece of foreshadowing. Those two sentences imply volumes and absolutely shocked me. At the same time, the revelation makes perfect sense and was nicely hinted at throughout the novel, such as when Philip informs the reader that he takes no other lover after Rachel.
Favorite quotes:
We were dreamers, both of us, unpractical, reserved, full of great theories never put to test, and, like all dreamers, asleep to the waking world.
he called me a greenhouse plant, fit only for expert cultivation, quite useless in the common soil.
"I love the stillness of a room, after a party. The chairs are moved, the cushions disarranged, everything is there to show that people enjoyed themselves; and one comes back to the empty room happy that it’s over, happy to relax and say, ‘Now we are alone again.’"
I would not be young again, if you offered me the world.
"I would rather brood at home and watch the rain."
She must believe me happy, to have peace of mind. I had left the land of fantasy, to her to enter into it. Two persons therefore could not share a dream. Except in darkness, as in make-believe. Each figure, then, a phantom.
But what if we spoke the things we really thought?
She hid nothing for me now, Rachel my torment…
They used to hang men at Four Turnings in the old days. Not anymore, though.
What can you read after
My Cousin Rachel?
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