“A lowbrow story with a middlebrow finish.” That’s what The Times of London said of  Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca when it was published in 1938. So how is it that, some eighty years later, the book still sells an estimated 4,000 copies a month? In this craft talk, veteran editor Brenda Copeland explores the novel from the perspective of both writer and reader, delving into topics such as point of view, diction, syntax, structure, character development, plot and voice. Special consideration will be given to the unmatched interiority of du Maurier’s unnamed narrator, in an attempt to demystify the process of writing a novel of great magnitude. 

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The 13 Ways series will be a monthly craft talk where Brenda Copeland will explore a different novel and why that novel works.  

To buy Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier follow this link.  

Brenda Copeland is a book editor with more than twenty years’ experience at the big five publishers and over ten years’ experience as an adjunct professor in the graduate publishing program at NYU. Now an independent editor, she works closely with authors through all stages of the writing and publication process, helping them reach their creative potential.