Rebecca

This production will capture listeners from its famous first sentence, "Last night I dreamt I went again to Manderley." Those familiar with du Maurier's classic mystery (in which the young narrator falls in love with the moody, wealthy Maxim de Winter) will enjoy it over again, absorbing new details; those not yet acquainted are in for a treat. Emma Fielding's narration has a dreamy, trance-like quality as she recalls the unfolding drama at Manderley, de Winter's ocean-side estate. The narrator Fielding creates (whose name we never learn) is deceptively simple, as unadorned as the young woman she portrays, and completely absorbing. Fielding smoothly handles other voices as well--from the narrator's brassy American employer, to aloof Maxim, to the haunting, jealous Mrs. Danvers. Fielding's cool, almost detached, voice contrasts with the over-the-top swelling violin music used at interludes to underscore the moment's drama, but somehow it all works perfectly. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine


The story of Manderley, a mansion of exquisite gardens that run to the sea, is considered to be Daphne du Maurier's finest novel. Having played the young Mrs. de Winter in one of the BBC productions, Emilia Fox has a feel for the house and its tragic occupants. This familiarity lends itself well to a story about what one THINKS is real. Fox brings to life all the emotions needed to flesh out the characters' questioning of themselves and others. A good love story read with the sadness of looking back on one's hopes and dreams. R.S.E. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine