Review of 'The Housekeeper' - Rose Tremain

This is an unsettling 'behind the scenes' account of the story behind Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca'. It's a dark and fascinating tale of 'Danni', the Jewish housekeeper of Manderville House, who falls in love with the novellist and thus begins an affair between the two women. Much like the landscape around the house, the affair is wild and earthy and has a profound impact on the people experiencing it.

Danni gives everything to the relationship and it ends up costing her more than she could ever have imagined. But when she reads du Maurier's novel, she finds she has been twisted into the severe and imposing Mrs Danvers, a far cry from her true nature, and this is the biggest betrayal of all.

But Danni is, unfortunately, the kind of person who this happens to on a regular basis. Every time she shows anyone a kindness, it backfires and she ends up being punished for her kindness.

I think this was a really interesting concept for a book, but I do wonder how Ms du Maurier's descendents will feel about this portrayal of her. The novellist comes across as cold and calculating and utterly selfish. Whilst her private life has always remained something of a mystery, there is little ambiguity in her sexuality in this novel, and I don't know how fair this is to her, or her family.

Nevertheless, it's an interesting book that is well worth reading.