So excited!!!

Hello! Welcome!

loud and clear, thanks!

Unbound link: https://unbound.com/books/a-gothic-cookbook/

Attendees have a special discount code for Unbound: "REBECCA10", valid for 10% off pledges up to £100 from now until midnight Oct 1st.

As a special bonus, there is also a pledge section just for Gothic Reading Group attendees, available here: https://unbound.com/books/a-gothic-cookbook/levels/12185/subscribe

Hand out for today's talk: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13KhpbkVAaAWPRS0_Fp94ZjKrJTXDCTvI/view?usp=sharing

Also makes me think, at the mention of funeral meats, of funeral cookies and cakes

Question for Allie: is there any particular symbolic association with salmon?

Q: In the beginning, the second Mrs de Winter is at a hotel after the fact and thinking about how Mrs Danvers would give her a critical/judgemental eye about the leftovers of afternoon tea, when tea time is an often occurrence in the book. The character does appear to have food insecurity of a person who has been in her situation in her life and it does persist in the book. Do you think this theme was meant to be as present in the underlying feel of gothic horror, or just background?

I made crumpets once & found them to be fairly difficult. Also, being in the US, they're not common here. But they were delicious!

yay vegetarian options!

Can we go back to the bit with the dogs and her finding the handkerchief in her pocket that belonged to Rebecca. Doesn’t a dog figure in the scene when she finds Rebecca’s seaside hide away? I can’t find my text— one of my daughters has gone off with it.

Is the salmon and lobster indicative if the fishy end of the first Mrs. DeWinter — especially if ‘dressed’ French finery (the sauces?).

Fishy not as mysterious but literally in the sea…

I may have to try them again, I still have the rings

Trypophobia

Is the narrator's consumption of Rebecca's favourite dishes a means for her to incorporate her within her body, to absorb the other?

ooh I love that idea Julia

The insecurity that went along with Rebecca’s fine lingerie — was it French made?

Yes, London

I’m going by faded memories

Good point Julia

There does seem to be also a contrast between how Maxim is always quick and to the point about food and eating, more efficient and able to distract himself. Where as the second Mrs de Winter can not.

it's coming up again in my re-read stack but I haven't read it in many years

I always loved the scene of Rebecca's study (or morning room, can't remember exactly) - that was such Rebecca's room - so personal

I just am rereading it now, but I read it first when I was like 10 XD

I refused to watch the new version ;)

I didn't watch the new one but heard very poor reviews

She did mention it. How lively it still made the first Mrs de Winter feel more alive with how it seemed fresh and curated

Kristin Scott Thomas is superb.

Haha the mystery Agatha couldn’t crack

I don’t want to disrespect the new film but she went into Manderley with everything on her side: Max’s passion, her great clothes, her beauty etc. There was nothing to be insecure about. In fact, she gives a strong, knowing look of self-assertion in a mirror just before leaving Mrs. Van Hopper. Max too young, too. I think it was made for today’s audiences that desire strong female leads and are frankly tired of the older man-you her woman trope. So I understand the new take but I didn’t care for it nor felt it would draw new readers to the text. Mrs. Van Hopper was brilliant. I digress!

ahh. the same drawbacks to girlboss Cinderella then

Younger oops

Yes— she has that in her so perhaps the mirror look is ok.

The hotel and surrounds are gorgeous.

The burning part gave me such a start and I had that feeling too as a kid. Like…fire at the beginning…fire at the end

Maxim is still the biggest villain in my opinion

I agree Robin

Maxim was very much like how he eats, distracted by it and busying himself with it as opposed to everything around him.

It’s a good question and I want to reread it through her lens more—

Yes, the expectation of a tangerine is sweetness…such a disappointment

Mrs Van Hooper even insinuates that he was marrying because he couldn’t stand to be alone. I forget the exact words

Another bit about Rebecca's connection to or hold over Manderley - the rhododendrons! (likely not spelled correctly) so creepy

I think Maxim was probably the same with Rebecca since he seems very consistent. He doesn’t change anything about the morning room and it still seemed fresh, in a way. The only thing that they change is which wing they live in.

The morning room - my favorite scene in the book

I'm definitely going to be looking out for food scenes when I re-read

yes!

Are there going to be tea suggesitons too?

thank you so much, this was such a great talk!

brewed tea yes

Thank you! this was so wonderful! I can't wait for the cookbook!

That would be great

I’m going to make some crumpets. TW : And playing on the spooky (SORRY SORRY SORRY) maybe find something to make it spookier with red foods.

https://unbound.com/books/a-gothic-cookbook/

Good and class. Mrs. Dancers has her place with the servants but also has that (can I use the word) liminal space of Rebecca’s room that she can not only be the chatelaine but move through, touch, yearn for—-yearn for Rebecca or for that higher class of life. Is there mention of Mrs. Danvers eating with the servants?

Good about food. Autocorrect! Agh!

Dancer is Danver…lol

Dancer is Danver…lol

Thank you from Canada! I really enjoyed this! I’ll be scouring the shelves of my girls’ rooms to find my copy. Will you book be available internationally? I know your in the crowd finding stage right now.

It was a hyperfixation on Rebecca, regardless of the type of “love” she may have felt.

Yes— love for Rebecca or as a mother. So many reasons to read it again!

Thank you! It was wonderful!

So enjoyable - thank you so much!

Wonderful! Fantastic job. This is a relevant lens into the novel!

Thank you everyone!