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My Cousin Rachel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 6,369 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Daphne du Maurier's classic novel of lust, suspicion, and obsession that inspired major motion picture starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin.
Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent older cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in Philip as his heir, and Philip grows to love Ambrose's grand estate as much as he does. But the cozy world the two construct is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries a mysterious distant cousin named Rachel -- and there he dies suddenly.
Jealous of his marriage, racked by suspicion at the hints in Ambrose's letters, and grief-stricken by his death, Philip prepares to meet his cousin's widow with hatred in his heart. But when she arrives at the estate, Rachel seems to be a different woman from the one described in Ambrose's letters. Beautiful, sophisticated, and magnetic, Philip cannot help but feel drawn to Rachel.
And yet, questions still linger: might she have had a hand in Ambrose's death? And how, exactly, did Ambrose die? As Philip pursues the answers to these questions, he realizes that his own fate could hang in the balance.
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"A superb gothic tale as only du Maurier can compose! Philip Ashley a young bachelor who is to inherit a large estate off the Cornish coast, is saddened that his uncle Ambrose is set to leave for a vacation without him. Months after Ambroses departure, letters arrive that he met and is to marry their beautiful Italian cousin, Rachel, and stay in Italy at her estate. Philip, of course, becomes angry and resentful towards this cousin and it isn't until more letters, disturbing letters, begin arriving that Philip's childish jealousy of Rachel turns into fear, loathing and outright hatred. Ambrose claims that Rachel was slowing making him ill. Shortly after the arrival of these new letters, Ambrose dies of a mysterious illness. The grieving widow eventually makes her way to the Cornish estate, whereupon Philip falls madly in love with the talented, smart, beguiling, and lovely Rachel. He lavishes her with attention and gifts, all the while wondering how he could have ever thought her capable to murdering someone. It isn't until she flatly rejects his advances that he begins to see her as a black widow of sorts. Her knowledge of herbs, the death of two previous husbands, her Italian family "friend" that treats others as inferior fools, and other clues lead Philip to question his own judgement. And while the conclusion is sad, it is the absolute perfect du Maurier ending to a psychologically haunting story. Though none of du Mauriers works come close to the genious of "Rebecca", "My Cousin Rachel" is a definite must-read for fans of her lyrically beautiful gothic masterpieces."
— Linda (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Surely no audiobook collection should be without some version of this timeless classic, arguably the most famous and well-loved gothic novel of the twentieth century.”
— Library Journal
My Cousin Rachel Listener Reviews
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" Another riveting mystery. "
— Karen, 2/11/2014 -
" An interesting read. Du Maurier tells it the story of an 19thc (?) 24 year old man/boy. His emotions are for the most part believable. The ending leaves you kind of empty - no way to find out the truth and truly know Rachel's motives. "
— Katie, 2/7/2014 -
" I was a bit disappointed in this book because of the writing style. It is written in a soap opera style. I was surprised since I am a big fan of du Maurier's "Rebecca". Nontheless, the plot twists and turns, which is what kept me reading. I was annoyed a bit by Philip's hypnotic love for Rachel. I'm not sure I'm convinced that blindless love can enchant someone to think the other person is infallible. Overall, a good summer read that will leave you thinking, "Did she or didn't she?" "
— Agatha, 2/3/2014 -
" The ending. Now Picoult, who loves the "bite you in the butt" endings, needs to read this book. "
— Miranda, 1/17/2014 -
" So heart-wrenchingly sad! Du Maurier draws such fine, believeable characters, it makes me realize how often other authors portray good and evil as so black and white. Here, I still don't know if Rachel was designing or just flawed or if the protagonist was good and innocent or just weak. "
— Darcy, 1/12/2014 -
" Masterfully written. I like the slight Great Expectations-feel of this young boy and a woman he should avoid, nay RUN from, but then this book would not exist if he did. "
— Cami, 1/11/2014 -
" Not a disappointment. "
— Vicki, 12/8/2013 -
" I love love LOVED this book! Totally twisted and incredibly intriguing. Just my kind of curl-up-with-before-bed book. :) "
— Kayla, 11/24/2013 -
" This book was so fun and kept you guessing until the end. It was a little slow in parts and especially in the beginning, but overall I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me a little of Wuthering Heights, but now quite as dark. Can't wait to talk about it tonight at book club. "
— Niki, 11/17/2013 -
" So many people read Rebecca and stop there but if you at all enjoyed Rebecca you must read My Cousin Rachel. Great and exciting read. "
— Ashley, 9/27/2013 -
" After watching the BBC movie DAPHNE based on part of DuMaurier's life, I discovered that the events portayed in the movie were the inspiration for this very book. It's a bit inside out -- this one is for DuMaurier fans. If Rebecca is a 10, then My Cousin Rachel is a 7. "
— Kimberly, 9/20/2013 -
" All the makings of a semi-trashy Rebecca style creepy romance. But... something was missing? I guess. I'm still on a big du Maurier fan kick. "
— Mo, 8/18/2013 -
" Yet another brilliant novel from the (in my opinion) the greatest female writer ever. It was only this year that I read one of her novels for the first time and I got kick myself that I waited so long. I loved it so much that any review I do will never do Du Maurier justice. "
— Victoria, 6/4/2013 -
" Loved this book and love this author. This one makes you wonder the entire book and even leaves you wondering about Rachel. Is she good or is she evil? "
— Heidi, 4/4/2013 -
" The old fashioned story telling is what made this book very enjoyable to read. The more you get into it, the more you want to know what the twist will be. Would have rated it higher if it wasn't for the ending, which to me was weaker than the rest of the book. "
— Mariam, 11/11/2012 -
" I liked this book. It was a little slow going at the beginning, but once I got into it I could hardly put it down. I would have liked a little more closure or something at the end-- I like everything spelled out for me-- but overall it was an enjoyable read! "
— Alanna, 10/6/2012 -
" This book had the same kind of feel as Rebecca, but just wasn't as good. It was a bit slow in parts, but I have to admit, it keept me guessing until the end (and beyond, I am still pondering about it!) Its worth reading if you are a fan of Daphne du Mauriers other works. "
— Michelle, 7/31/2012 -
" It wasn't my favorite of Daphne du Maurier. It was kind of predictable and I was flustrated with the main character. "
— Jody, 7/10/2012 -
" I haven't read a good book in so long. This is great from the beginning and it makes you think in your own perspective and make judgment calls. "
— Janalyn, 11/4/2011 -
" It's one of the best novels ,I have ever read!I love proud women in novels like Emma & Catherine by Bronte sisters.Daphne has exposed a vicious,wicked & unkind young woman who marries & divorces so many times just for 1 reason: MONEY!! "
— Mashi, 10/30/2011 -
" Another excellent book by Daphne Du Maurier. She doesn't disappoint. Did she or didn't she? We'll never know. "
— Anna, 9/22/2011 -
" What an ending. even better as the last sentence ties into the first scene. Another spine-chilling classic by DDM! "
— Tai, 6/27/2011 -
" I was very young when I read this. Very young. I didn't care for it nor did I really understand it. I had just read <em>Rebecca</em> and guess I expected the same. It wasn't. "
— Marilyn, 5/20/2011 -
" Read this for book club. It was OK, but not something I would normally read or recommend to anyone. "
— Lisa, 4/25/2011 -
" Romantic, suspenseful, and slightly horrible. These manipulative women that du Maurier writes of surrounded by atmospheres of unease give the reader hope for a romantic ever after, but also with the slightest dread seeping through his mind that nothing good lasts forever. "
— Jen, 4/21/2011 -
" Though My Cousin Rachel is not as enticing as Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier still kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know more. Here and there her descriptions tended to be long-winded, but the characters were well thought out and believable. "
— Mckenzie, 4/18/2011 -
" Splendid finish. As with Rebecca, another character who "gets away with it"...or do they? "
— Tony, 4/12/2011 -
" I like Daphne du Maurier for details. <br/>Philip says that being a boy he always wanted his name was Ambrose and it impressed me so much! I really get to understand how important his cousin was for him. "
— Olga, 4/6/2011 -
" Interesting!! It took me a while to read it though what with company here and mystery books really are not my thing. "
— Marjorie, 3/17/2011 -
" The storyline was simple. I enjoyed the mystery of it all. The conclusion was interesting because it just keeps you thinking. "
— Miriam, 3/7/2011 -
" ending not satisfying but the text was a page turner... "
— Patricia, 3/1/2011 -
" If you like "Rebecca" you will also like this classic. "
— Rebecca, 2/22/2011 -
" So far so good. <br/> <br/>Excellent! A well crafted, well written, suspensful, engrossing story with complex characters. What more can you ask for in a book? "
— Ariella, 2/20/2011 -
" not a patch on Rebecca... "
— Jane, 2/16/2011
About Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989) was born in London, the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier and granddaughter of the author and artist George du Maurier. She has been called one of the great shapers of popular culture and the modern imagination. She began writing in 1928, and many of her bestselling novels were set in Cornwall, where she lived for most of her life. Besides novels, du Maurier wrote plays, biographies, and several collections of short fiction. Among her more famous works are The Scapegoat, Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, and the short story “The Birds,” all of which were subsequently made into films, the latter three directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
About Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce, CBE, is a Welsh actor and singer. His film credits include Brazil, Pirates of the Caribbean, Evita, and Glengarry Glen Ross. He has won two Tony Awards for Comedians and Miss Saigon.