Reviews

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

Only show reviews with written explanations

madisonerasmus's review

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

elle_nari's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

An incredible gothic journey taking us through the life of Mary Yellan, a simple farm girl who lost her mother and goes to live with her Aunt. We begin to believe, through Mary's memories of dear Aunt Patience, that she will be the faerie-like witch she seemed to be recalled as; alas, that is all to untrue.

Instead of a beautiful little cottage in the Cornish moors, we find a dilapidated, murky pub on the side of a road that coachmen and locals are verbally averse to visiting. Here, we meet for the first time the despicable, yet troubled, Joss Merlyn; Aunt Patience's husband.
Through the description of Jamaica Inn alone, we can tell Joss is not a man to rile.

The rest of the novel is Mary's slow discovery of just what Joss Merlyn's business is, meeting a small ensemble of characters that rarely show her benevolence. So, when we end up meeting the Vicar of Alternun, Francis Davey, we are beguiled by the kindness he shows Mary; who, upon meeting him, was lost at night upon the moors.

Jem Merlyn, too, we learn to love and hate alongside Mary.

The one thing I will say about this novel is that the action never stops. We are either given gorgeous descriptions, rivalling that of Mary Shelley's romanticism, of the surrounding moors and the intricacies of Mary's turmoil. When the action reaches its peak, we can't help but be on the very edge of our seats at just how she will escape!

Du Maurier paints a world so clear that I can go through my version of Jamaica Inn in my head exactly as she described it.

If you are looking for a beautifully written action adventure from the author of Rebecca, I implore you to read Jamaica Inn! The ending had me STUNNED (even though I saw it coming a mile off) and I honestly did not want it to end.

bente99's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

In der ersten Hälfte wurde die Geschichte sehr langsam erzählt. Für mich war es schon sehr langweilig, daher habe ich viele Stellen nur überflogen. Ib der zweiten Hälfte nahm die Geschichte Fahrt auf und ich fand es sehr spannend. Wenn der erste Teil kürzer gewesen wöre, hätte es mir mehr gefallen.