My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

This is a perfectly delicious Gothic tale that I absolutely revelled in. I'm always unsure of the real literary merit of du Maurier's work, because she seems to be imitating a Victorian style about a hundred years later, and I'm not sure what her more modern contribution is. She writes well within the bounds of Victorian propriety (well, maybe late-Victorian), and with the slightly melodramatic touch of a mid-nineteenth century Gothic or sensation novel. I'd say that this book is actually closer to a sensation novel, because it features a powerful, manipulative, possibly mentally ill heroine, and a weak, easily led male hero. I think my favourite part was the way Philip's (the main character) love is described as incredibly obsessive, both selfish and self-destructive. As usual, I enjoyed du Maurier's stunning language and wonderful, slow unfolding of the plot. She's an amazing writer of atmosphere and it's incredibly easy and delightful to get utterly absorbed in the world she creates. I always enjoy entering the worlds she creates and find it very easy to give my full attention to her writing, there is nothing at all in it that irks me (which is rare, I usually have about twenty million complaints). This always makes me worry that her work is just too easy and I shouldn't enjoy it as much as I do, but it's such a delight, and there's always something so engaging and irresistible about her writing. I loved the ambiguous ending of this book, and the characters. I still think Jamaica Inn is my favourite by her, but this is definitely a gem.