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du
Maurier's last bestselling novel is set in the familiar surroundings of
Cornwall, narrated by a young man, Philip Ashley. Philip has been raised by
his cousin Ambrose in his large estate which houses only men. This deliberate
exclusion, almost distaste of women, makes it surprising to discover that
having travelled to Italy for the sake of his health, Ambrose has met and
married their cousin Rachel. The bliss of married life does not last long
however and soon Philip receives disturbing letters indicating Ambrose's
distress and hinting at his suspicions of his new wife. Philip's rushed journey
to be re-united with him proves fruitless and he returns to Cornwall bitterly
despising Rachel who he suspects of playing a part in his cousin's demise.
When Rachel
arrives, uninvited, in Cornwall he intends to treat her with nothing but
hostility. He soon falls for her charms however, and his resolve melts with
every passing day. Thus ensues an intriguing tale whereby Philip is constantly
thrown around by doubt and determination, alienating those around him as his
affection and blind-sightedness grows. Rachel remains an enigma to him and even
once events have drawn to their conclusion he admits '...every day, haunted
still by doubt, I ask myself a question which I cannot answer. Was Rachel
innocent or guilty?'
The reader
is often led into confusion with our unreliable narrator and his ever changing
assumptions. Indeed, there is little to be trusted throughout - Ambrose's
letters could have been the result of a fractured mind, his brain tumour making
him lose his grip on reality (if we are indeed to believe he was afflicted in
this way). Rachel, who seems so calm for the most part, does occasionally let
her mask slip, and her defence is natural to one attempting to cover a
misdemeanour. As we are only ever able to see her through Philip's eyes we are
given merely a refracted view - how are we to judge her without bias? Similarly
Philip's jealousy of, and hostility to, her confidante Rainaldi can colour the
reader's view. How are we to know who to trust? Paranoia and mental instability
run in the Ashley family and the strange misogynistic upbringing Philip
experienced with Ambrose, whose remarkable similarity is commented on many
times throughout, is bound to have impacted on his view of the world and the
drama in which he suddenly finds himself embroiled.
This cast
of characters lead the reader along a winding path with no clear-cut end.
Forming your allegiances early may be the only way to have some sense of
closure, following our narrator's lead and making of the story what you want.
It is a delightfully ambiguous plot with du Maurier's characteristic skill at
storytelling and creating intense atmosphere making this an enjoyable read.
Pick up a copy:
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