I’m going to put a PSA here to enjoy this book review because it will be the last one for a few weeks, at least. I’m currently reading The Stand by Stephen King, the 1200 page version that was released in the 90s, and it’s going to take me a while. I love Stephen King, but boy does the guy like his details…
Most people know Daphne du Maurier for her more popular gothic novel, Rebecca. I’ll say right off the bat that if you liked Rebecca, it is highly likely you’ll enjoy this novel as well. It has a similar tone and style, and is arguably du Maurier’s last critically well-received novel.
The book is told from the perspective of Philip Ashley, an orphaned boy adopted by a wealthy family friend, Mr. Ambrose Ashley. Philip is very dry, often prideful, and occasionally condescending. He’s an interesting main character as he truly embodies the folly and naivete of youth. The reader catches his mistakes in real time (they’re not at all subtle), but we empathize with him because many of us know and understand what it is to think we’re infallible. Some may find his arrogance irritating, but I can personally relate to being youthful and arrogant.
The mysterious circumstances begin when Philip receives a letter from his guardian, Ambrose, while Ambrose is traveling abroad in Italy. Ambrose has met someone and they’ve gotten married, much to Philip’s surprise! All seems well until Ambrose becomes sick, his letters growing increasingly incoherent and paranoid. Philip begins to worry about his guardian, eventually traveling to Italy to find him. The story follows Philip on his quest to discover the truth about Ambrose and Ambrose’s now-widow, Philip’s “cousin” Rachel.
There isn’t much else I can say about the plot without spoiling it. The most impressive thing about this novel is that the reader is truly kept guessing the entire time. However, we’re not constantly kept on the edge of our seats. The novel is equally as much romance as it is suspense, but there is an underlying eeriness that permeates the story throughout. As the story builds and we learn more about the character’s and their true intentions, even mundane events are met with skepticism.
Setting also plays a large part in the ambience of the novel. The story is largely set in Cornwall with brief excursions to Italy in line with Philip traveling to check up on his uncle. The dreary English setting serves as a juxtaposition for the lively Italian excursions as well as a juxtaposition to the more extravagant tastes of Rachel. The “bland” Cornwall estate we meet in the beginning mirrors the changes Philip experiences throughout the novel as he comes into contact with Rachel. It’s an interesting mirror that let’s readers see how much is really changing in this span of time. The use of setting like this is also a nice gothic touch for those who are fans of the characteristic use of setting in gothic novels.
There are some points that may seem to lag if you’re looking for a thrilling murder-mystery, but the build to the ending is well worth it. This is one of those books that I finished and said, “Oh wow,” because it had ended in a way that was completely unexpected. It was refreshing to reach the end without having an inkling of how du Maurier was going to wrap things up, and I found the ending I was met with very satisfying. It was bittersweet, leaving me feeling like justice had been served, yet all involved were left off a little bit worse than they started.
Anyone who is into, slow-burn, murder-mystery/romance books will be a fan of My Cousin Rachel. At 279 pages, it’s a little long for a murder mystery, but still easily doable. It’s an excellent rainy day, middle of October, alone for the weekend type of book. Read it!
The Lit Wiz