Sequel to Rebecca - which one?

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

I've just finished Rebecca for the millionth time, so thought I'd try one of the sequels.

I have Susan Hill's Mrs de Winter and Sally Beauman's Rebecca's Tale. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I didn't think that much to either of them, tbh. Neither are completely hideous but neither are brilliant, either. Close your eyes, shuffle them and grab one!

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Oh ok, I'll do that, then. Thank you!

[mmack]

I liked Rebecca's Tale. It's not on the same level as Rebecca but it's very readable. It's kind of Kate Morton/Rosamunde Pilcher if you know what I mean, well written but not challenging.

[KurriKurri]

Of the two I preferred Susan Hill's book, but I agree with Remus neither are startlingly brilliant. (Rebecca doesn't really need a sequel IMO)

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Nice to see you, Kurri. :)

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Kurri I agree, it doesn't really need a sequel as we all know that they go and live quietly abroad. Just interested to see what other authors thought. I started Mrs de Winter yesterday, it's not as good as Rebecca by far but I'll get to the end anyway.

[AryaOfHouseSnark]

I've read them both, and kinda wish I hadn't as I much preferred the way Rebecca ended.
Like pp have said, they are not terrible, just not all that great either.

[joanofarchitrave]

Mrs de Winter was quite dull.

[Back2Basics]

I read Rebecca's tale before I read Rebecca. I liked it and I love one of her other books that I can never remember the name to but it's about this family and a girl who grows up to be quite evil called connie/Constance.

[greenhill]

Neither are great. Mrs de Winter is quite boring, to be fair it's supposed to be about their routine, but the writing is only so so.

[KurriKurri]

Hello Remus

[mmack]

Rebecca's Tale was way better than Scarlett or Death Comes to Pemberly. I'm very curious about Joanna Trollope's Sense and Sensibility but the reviews on amazon aren't very promising.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

:)

Death Comes to Pemberley abominable. The Trollope looks equally so, and I won't be reading it.

The worst ever goes to Emma Tennant for her 'Austen-esque ( yeah right) travesties though.

[mmack]

I had never heard of Emma Tennant-I just looked her up on amazon. Doesn't look very good. Joanna Trollope is my favourite guilty pleasure so I'll probably buy Sense and Sensibility at some stage. The best prequel has to be Wide Sargasso Sea and the best Austen update was the movie Clueless.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Still haven't read WSS - keep meaning to.
Clueless is superb.
P&P and Zombies is good fun. :)

[KurriKurri]

Yes WSS is worth a read.
The Emma Tennant ones are dire, and Death Comes to Pemberly I found unreadable.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Me too re DCTP - 3 pages was more than enough!

[mmack]

I had never heard of P&P&Zombies either. This is very educational and has also reminded me that I must get Clueless and 10 Things I Hate about You for dd now that she is almost a teen.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

My teens love Clueless - can quote it at great length. :)

[mmack]

Everything for teens at the moment seems to be vampires and witches. I don't think I have ever taken dd to the cinema to see a comedy that wasn't a kiddie cartoon. There haven't even been any Merchant/Ivory type movies for the last few years.

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Talking of prequels, has anyone read Before Green Gables? A thread on chat is about comfort reading and lots of people have mentioned Anne of Green Gables.

I quite enjoyed Before Green Gables when I read it with the DC.

Wide Sargasso Sea is in my pile of books to be read.

[mmack]

I hadn't heard of Before Green Gables but it's on my amazon wish-list now. Thanks for the recommendation. I loved that whole series when I was a teenager.
I also thought of another really good classic book update-Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman. It's Wuthering Heights set in modern day New England. I think any Rebecca fan would enjoy it.

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Have just finished Mrs de Winter, a very quick and not especially riveting read. A pity as I really like a lot of other Susan Hill writing.

I think I'll leave Rebecca's Tale for now, will try it later in the year.

mmack I hope you enjoy Before Green Gables, I might dig our copy out and read it again soon.

[Back2Basics]

Oh god and me sinister!