I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected to. I had no idea what it was about before reading, and assumed it would be a romance. Little did I know it was actually a book of mystery and tension and intrigue. I loved it, I really did.
It surprised me how little romance this book has in it. It's not an over-the-top, gooey love story, but something else, my favourite kind of romance, subtle but intense, and deliciously moreish.

I know a lot of people think Maxim de Winter is a bit of dick, but I don't care, I loved him, despite his secrets. He was a damn bloody interesting character.

"I repeat to you, the choice is open to you. Either you go to America with Mrs Van Hopper or you come home to Manderley with me."
"Do you mean you want a secretary or something?"
"No, I'm asking you to marry me, you little fool."

It's so unromantic, it's almost romantic. I'm not particularly one for romance, so Maxim de Winter's blunt delivery is just my style. I couldn't help but love him after this.

I also really liked how we never discover the main characters real name. For whatever reason, our leading lady remains nameless throughout, and, whether it's intentional or not, this also adds a mysterious feel to the book. Despite her lack of name, however, I never felt detached from her. She didn't feel a stranger and felt every bit the centre of this dark and intense story.
Mrs Danvers gave me chills. She was so well writen, grieving and unable to let go of the past. She was creepy but her feelings were understandable at the same time.

I don't have anything bad to say about this story. Thoroughly enjoyable, great writing and dialogue, great pacing, maybe an over-use of the word said but it didn't bother me enough to detract from my enjoyment. In fact, during some scenes, the over-use of said lends itself very well to the feeling of the scene, where the characters are expressionless, almost deflated and defeated, then a simple said feels rather apt. Blunt, and without feeling.

Dark and intense and devilishly secretive, I understand why this book is considered a classic in gothic literature. It's just my style and I highly recommend to any who love a twisted love story and tension-building story telling.