Reviews

The Loving Spirit by Daphne du Maurier

alisa_finch's review against another edition

4.0

If I had to describe this book in one word it would be ‘pure’

intonewrealms's review against another edition

adventurous reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

This book is split into four parts which each follow a different member of the Coombs family, specifically, each follows the previous character’s favourite child.

As always Du Maurier is incredible at evoking the sense of a place, particularly when that place is her beloved Cornwall. In this novel, she is really good at crafting both super sweet loveable characters but also horrible ones you still understand the motives of- I won’t tell you who fits which. It’s also really interesting to see how the characters build up their expectations for their children based on the relationship with their own parents with the best of intentions, but sometimes making mistakes that they wouldn’t have made if they hadn’t been so set in their ways.

mii_lena's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

melania_010200's review against another edition

4.0

4/5

chazza_k_h's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

buzzingbookworm's review against another edition

sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

wishesandpages's review against another edition

5.0

"High above the clustered houses and the grey harbour waters of Plyn, the loving spirit smiles and is free."

Here's the thing about me: I don't really like family sagas. I tried to read two of them in the past year or so, and every time, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Going into The Loving Spirit, I was mainly curious to see if Daphne du Maurier could change my mind, but most importantly, I wanted to see what her debut novel was like, as I had already read My Cousin Rachel and Jamaica Inn.

Well. Let me tell you that: du Maurier got me there, for I absolutely loved this novel!

To be honest, the introduction made me look forward to the book so much, for it talked of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, how du Maurier had been inspired by her - as a matter of fact, the title The Loving Spirit comes from one of Emily's poems and it was complete with a few quotes, beautifully written, per usual. I actually noticed the similarities with Wuthering Heights that were pointed out and it even made me want to reread the book and then The Loving Spirit all over again.

Then, I started reading and I absolutely fell in love with the entire novel. As I'm fascinated by the sea, I could relate to Janet so much and I understood what called to her. She was such a strong and likeable character, it was a very good idea to start off with her. My only complaint was her relationship with her son, Joseph. I understand why the author wrote it that way, but it made me so uncomfortable. I just couldn't get past it, especially when he called her 'beloved' or 'my love', later in the novel. I get that du Maurier doesn't write their relationship to tell us that it's normal, but it made me very uncomfortable. Besides, I had a hard time buying Annie and Joseph's relationship when they fell for each other. That is all. [edit: despite that, I realised that I loved this novel way too much, so it's a five stars anyway.]

Anyhow, except for these relationships, the characters were so interesting, complex and deeply flawed. Every time I finished reading about one of them, I became so sad, because I didn't want to say goodbye, and then I read about the next generation and felt for them. In a way, the Coombe family became mine, as I was along them in their hardships, their joys, their pains, their dreams. It's hard for me to pick a favourite out of Janet, Joseph, Christopher and Jennifer, but I have to say that during Christopher's part, I cried a lot. It must be because I emphasized with some aspects of his story arc so well, who knows?

One of the things that shines in du Maurier's works is the setting. The Loving Spirit was set in Plyn Boat Yard, in Cornwall, and I could feel the sea whenever I was reading the book. It became an actual character in the novel (as well as something else I can't mention because spoilers!) and I loved it so much, since I'm obsessed with the sea.

I haven't even talked about the social context and how the Coombe family tried to fit in the change occurring in Great Britain at that time, but it was so well-done. As it's a family saga, we got to follow the family's company through generations and it definitely showed how everything changed at the turn of the 20th century and after World War One.

Overall, I absolutely loved The Loving Spirit, but some aspects of the relationships made me a little uncomfortable, which is why I didn't rate it five stars. Other than that, it's the first time I've loved a family saga, du Maurier's writing was as stunning as ever, the setting compelling and I already want to reread it. I shall miss the Coombe family greatly.

erincharnley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

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

2.5

miriam_mal's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

The story follows 4 generations of the Coombe family, and how their free spirit and love of the sea provides a push and pull in all their relationships. The ending became pretty fast paced and tense, loved reading her first book!

sako's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5