Rebecca, the Mysterious by Katheryn Kimbroughpublished by: Popular Library
Copyright 1975
The Saga of the Phenwick Women
REBECCA,
THE MYSTERIOUS
REBECCA,
THE MYSTERIOUS
in one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.
Bewitching Rebecca Phenwick's young life had
been scarred by a brutal abduction by a runaway
slave, and her loving father and strangely hostile
mother agreed on one thing: Rebecca should go t
the old family mansion of the Phenwick House to
escape the memories of the harm done to her.
It was at Phenwick House that Rebecca first saw
the portrait of her ancestress Augusta Phenwick,
and began to delve into the eerie books of the occult
in the Phenwick archives. It was in this house that
had witnessed so many horrors that Rebecca
learned of her legacy as a Phenwick - the evil that
was waiting to be awakened within her, and her
weakness in the arms of a man who sought to
possesses her body and soul ...
For the life of me I can't figure out WHY I don't read these books! Rebecca, the Mysterious has just about anything anyone could ever want. Abduction, the Occult, and old house, even a cover whose "Bob Ross" style tree completely destroys the perspective. (Is she behind it? Or is it behind her?) And that woman's hand seem really large to me.
If anyone has read any of the Phenwick Women Books I would love to know if they are really as great as they always sound.
Unfortunately, while my public library's catalogue has an entry for the author, it has none of her books. Which raises the question of why they have an entry for her in the first place.
ReplyDeleteSpecterGirl: I have just ordered this book from Amazon (used - about a buck). I will read it and get back to you. As you say, it seems to have all the elements of a wicked, quick jolt of fun. Plus, that cover illustration is the most. - Mykal
ReplyDeleteJamie: That is a real shame. This book is obviously SO GREAT that someone I made away with it.
ReplyDeleteMykal: That is awesome! I expect a full report with lots of sincere praise and comparisons like "It's grittiness held shadows of Dashiell Hammett.", "They dwelt in the bleakest house since Dickens" and "It's galloping racism is only rivaled by that of H.P. Lovecraft."
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get it. I really hope it's over-written. I love that stuff. Sincere praise coming right up. -- Mykal
ReplyDeleteSpectergirl: No doubt. I did, however, discover that they have a book in their collection in which Doc Savage's daughter inherits the house from Pride and Prejudice. I'll be checking that out forthwith.
ReplyDeleteJamie: Pembertly! You must keep me posted!
ReplyDeleteSpecterGirl: I finally got this book and read it, and was very disappointed. I expected lush, purple prose, but instead the author used nothing but short, blunt sentences (often not even full sentences), for example: "it was a dark night. Rainy. Black sky. The wind was howling. Like a dog." -- these aren't actual quotes from the book, but you get the idea. Page after page. Like that. It was like. Sort of. Trying to read. A telegraph of a novel.
ReplyDeleteThere was, naturally, tons of suggested sex and sin - sort of all sizzle with no fire. I expected that, but really was looking for a bodice ripper style of prose - you know, pages of descriptions about flaming souls and lips, surging to meet one another against a black sky laced with lightening flashes and the sound of the sea lashing against the rocks like latent desires left unanswered in the cavern of the night, etc, etc. Instead, this baby read like a high school email. -- Mykal
Mykal: I laughed out loud at your review. DAMN I had such high hopes for that book, only to have them shattered. On the floor. In many. Many. Many. Pieces. (I think you get the idea.)
ReplyDeleteWhen a book promises the occult AND someone evil who desires to possess another’s body and soul you at least expect someone to get tied to an alter in revealing clothing.
Well, I guess there is always internet porn. *sign*
My favorite is when a chapter ends like .... “Then there was a knock at the door.” (sinister music implied) only to have the very next chapter begin ... “She opened the door.” THAT IS A HOOT!
You are my hero for taking one for the team!
Awww ... A bad review for Rebecca! Frowny face. But she wanted to have an affair with her father ... and there was a jungle fever thing going ... and suggested homosexual love between two old men ... and a reincarnated soul!!! SO MUCH IN JUST 300 pages!!!
ReplyDeleteJeez, now I feel guilty. There is indeed, as you say, Steph, a hell of a lot going on; and the author gets points for that, abslolutely!
ReplyDeleteStephanie: Thanks for the female prospective on this one. I think it sounds even better then I would have ever guessed!
ReplyDeleteIt also give me more insight into my mother-in-law who, over 2 overnight trips to town, made sure to read this bad-boy!