Memories of Manderley...
357070
"Rebecca" had several elements that I loved:  a large Gothic-style manor, ghosts, mystery and suspense.  In the book, the narrator (in which interestly her first name is never revealed) is a young English lady of twenty-one, who is working as a "companion" to a middle-aged American gossip-loving socialite.  The young lady and her employer are staying at a hotel in Monte Carlo, where the young lady is introduced to Maxim de Winter, the owner of a large English manor house called Manderley who has lost his wife in a tragic drowning one year prior.  Mr. de Winter is a strange, serious man which everyone attributes to the loss of his wife, Rebecca.

The narrator and Mr. de Winter have an odd relationship over the course of the couple of weeks in Monte Carlo and when the narrator is told she is to go to New York, Mr. de Winter proposes marriage.  The narrator, longing for something more in life, agrees to marry him.  She is deeply in love with him, although he often remains distant and mysterious.  She expects that life at Manderley will be quite different from what she actually finds once she arrives there.

Although the first Mrs. de Winter is no longer living, there are traces of her all throughout the mansion.  The new Mrs. de Winter is told how wonderful Rebecca was and is very insecure in herself in that she feels she can't live up to Rebecca's reputation.  Rebecca's maid, the eerie Mrs. Danvers, immediately dislikes the new Mrs. de Winter.  As days go by at Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter begins to have serious doubts that her marriage will be successful and that the house she is living in is still under Rebecca's influence.  Maxim becomes more and more distant and odd, and the narrator becomes more uneasy and afraid, as is understandable as the mystery of what happened to Rebecca is unraveled.

I really enjoyed the author's writing style - vivid descriptions with each scene set up nicely.  The author did a remarkable job of creating a suspenseful atmosphere.  Although I saw some of the mysteries of Rebecca's fate coming well ahead of time, there were still some new surprises waiting for this reader.  I would liken reading the book to walking through a large, historic manor house like Manderley, with each turn and hallway revealing another twist in the story and finding surprises all along the way.  I've seen other reviews that have said they found the book slow and dull, but I didn't want to put it down until every mystery was solved.

My only letdown of the novel was that even while Rebecca was not a nice person, I found it very weak for the main character to stand by Maxim de Winter so faithfully after what he had done.

After the story ended, I found it helpful to reread the first couple of chapters to be happily fulfilled with the ending.
2065003
Ed has filled this book with memories of his childhood, so vivid and precise, such detail and insights. It made me think of my childhood, and I realize that I have forgotten more than I remember! Records of small towns of time long gone are very important to the people of today, to help them understand their roots, and how life was back then. No TV, Play stations, or I-phones back then ........... just good old fashioned fun, where kids needed to use their imagination. A very interesting read, even though I have never lived in America. Small towns are the same the world over. Well done Ed.
646365
I bought Mr. Price's book, Wichita 1860-1930, some time ago, and was so excited to see this new volume. I was born in Wichita in 1944, and this book really brought back a lot of memories from growing up there.  The pictures and text are priceless.
4065042
Roy Davis has done a terrific job collecting photos of Windham, NY, which is my hometown too.  It was a trip down memory lane for me and a pleasure to read.
1095550
I stumbled, quite by accident, onto Alderwood Manor (Images of America), a book filled with memories of days gone by of this small community in the country.  Having grown up in Alderwood Manor, I didn't hesitate to order the book.  I was not disappointed.  The book is full of pictures with captions.  I found the book fascinating, and I really enjoyed reading about the history of the area.  Having ridden horses in my youth on the interurban trail, I was especially pleased to find information in the book about the old Seattle to Everett interurban railroad line.  (Too bad the interurban line isn't still in existence!)  This book is a must for anyone who grew up anywhere near Alderwood Manor or anyone interested in turning back time to take a peek into yesterday.
4133919
Tim's book is a delightful compilation of reminiscence of the youth of a city child growing up in the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s. Fortunately for me, I grew up in nearby the location of this story and the memories brought back vividly direct images of my childhood as well. The reader should not limit his or herself to having grown up in this area. Anyone growing up in this time period can find events to spawn his or her own memories. For a child of a time period thereafter, it is a wonderful contemporary historic peek at a life lead before the digital age. As for those over 70, it is a memory of the days of raising their own families, back when most felt safe in letting their children run and explore the neighborhood. Thank you Tim for taking me back on your journey, and therefore helping me remember my own.
3407238
I grew up in Norphlet and was a classmate of Richard's.  As I read this book, it brought back many memories.  Anyone in our age group can relate to this and living in a small Southern town. Thanks for the memories.  Va.
2598035
A nice quick walk down the lane of memories of someone who lived thru this era as a child.  If you have ever been to the beautiful city of Heidelberg you will immedetialy relate to her writings.  This book was obviously a gift to her children and grandchildren -- and all of us who are cousins in time with the author.  We grew up on the other side of the pond at this same time.
An enjoyable read, especially at holiday time.
4247495
I have a special interest in McSorley's as my greatgrandfather, Phil McEvoy, lived over his blacksmith shop in 1870 on East 6th St. and could see McSorley's from his front door right down the street that runs between 6th and 7th. Unfortunately for his family he had a special fondness for the "sauce", so I am sure he spent too much time there.....This was a great history and gave me a true flavor of the place.
2010615
I remember reading this book when I was a high schooler in Rock Island, IL.  It's a bit o nostalgia to re-read and correct some of the stories that I've mis-remembered over the years.  George Wickstorm was an excellent local historian who stirred my interest in local, and from that, national and world history.  My dad had a copy residing on his office bookshelf.  I remembered it fondly, then and now.
2149415
I ENJOYED THE BOOK MAINLY BECAUSE I STILL REMEMBER SOME OF THE OLDER BLDGS SUCH AS THE PENOBSCOT BLDG WHERE I ACTUALLY WORKED AT MANY YEARS AGO  THE FOX , KRESEGE BLDG AND CASS CENTRAL HIGH DID NOT LIVE TO TERRBILY FAR FROM THERE
SUCH MEMORIES !!!
3756287
This is a great compilation of memories for anyone who grew up in Cambria Heights in the 1950s/1960s.  From the stores on Linden Boulevard to the nuns at Sacred Heart School, to the kids in the neighborhood it will bring back memories of a time and place once enjoyed and long forgotten.
213139
Enjoyed the book. Duringlinebackerll I was ssignedtoUbon RTAFB home of 8th THE which was part of racist. It was an exciting time. The book brought back many memories.
4834196
A great book.  Brings back so many memories of concerts, Pittsburgh, Benedum Center, Trafford and friends.  Well written.  Many stories of the DiCesare family, which showed how important his family is to Pat.  I have met Pat a number of times and knew his brothers.  It was definitely exciting then, and now to have it written, just adds to the great memories.  Highly recommended.
3290561
For a long-term Canberra resident it is a wonderful trip down memory lane. I loved the references to some of my old haunts. It also reminded me of the party days with .some strangers helping themselves to our carton'.
1237784
Brought back a lot of memories.  It was such a simpler time...wish we could go back there.
490360
It was interesting to read about so many places I am familiar with in Souderton (named Telforton) in the book. It was like re-living a piece of my childhood during the late 70's and early 80's. I almost think I should have been a character in the story!