When was the last time you clapped at the end of a movie?
Until recently, it had been years since I did. Partly because I don’t actually watch many movies anymore. I prefer short, educational shows that introduce me to interesting people and places.
From watching bits about England’s coastal landscape, I’ve learned that a British bookworm cannot talk about Cornwall for very many minutes before mentioning author Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989). I decided to start with du Maurier’s novel Rebecca because it’s considered one of the author’s best works, and, call me weird, but I adore stories with unnamed protagonists.
A few chapters in, I hauled my eyes from the page and gave my racing heart a chance to regulate. “Someone should make this into a movie,” I said to hubby before diving back in. And later, after reading more, “I’m just sure someone has made this into a movie.”
When I finished reading the book—and not a moment before—I searched online for the options. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 version, starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, is widely agreed to be the most true to the novel.
I couldn’t easily access a digital version of it. Imagine that, in this day and age! But my lovely local public library keeps a DVD in circulation. And at our house, we still have a DVD player. For times like this!
Hubby wanted to watch it right away. I shook my head. “On a weeknight? The movie’s more than two hours long. We’ll need to split it up.”
We rushed through dinner, settled on the sofa with the doggie, and finagled our way through remembering which remote sent a signal to the DVD player.
“This movie was made over eighty-five years ago,” I grumbled. “The screen’s probably going to blurry. The sound might be garbled. Do you want me to wake you up if you fall asleep?”
As the opening chords of the dramatic musical score filled the room, hubby waved me off. Then we huddled. Took deep breaths. Tried to still our fluttering hearts. Raced to the bathroom and back. Patted the doggie for reassurance. Kept reminding ourselves this isn’t real!
And when the final credits rolled, we both raised our hands and clapped. Hooray for a good movie! Hooray for an amazing story! Right there in our little TV room, past bedtime on a weeknight.
Every year I share a list of memorable books I read. Narrowing them down is a bit of a task. But thrilling to see my year reflected in books! Did I adopt a dog or a cat? The books I read will include some about behavior and training. Did I shift my diet or exercise routine? The books will document my path. Did I travel somewhere new? I will have read novels set in this fresh location. Did my year include unexpected or exceptionally deep grief? It must have, because there are the telltale books of poetry.
A year from now, we’ll know if Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is among 2026’s most memorable books. Until then, enjoy 2025’s list.
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[Photo courtesy of Unsplash.]