There was less depth than I expected to this enjoyable historical novel, despite the dark subject matter. Although a feeling of menace was established early on, as it became clear Rebecca had been chosen by her husband because of her seemingly friendless state, this sense of jeopardy was never fully realised. Even the tragic elements in the story failed to move me very deeply, though the arrogance of some of the men did make me angry.
Rebecca turned out to be more resourceful than her husband would have imagined, with the ability to embrace attitudes that seemed rather ahead of her time. Both the development of her character and the rather neat ending were appealing, though not convincingly realistic.
Rebecca turned out to be more resourceful than her husband would have imagined, with the ability to embrace attitudes that seemed rather ahead of her time. Both the development of her character and the rather neat ending were appealing, though not convincingly realistic.