Reviews - L'Auberge de la Jamaïque

2.03k reviews for:

L'Auberge de la Jamaïque

Daphne du Maurier

3.81 AVERAGE

booksandmo's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

icameheretoread's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

Gonna stay spoiler free here, and say that this is my first du Maurier. If you even want to tromp around on some spooky moors, this is the book for you. As for me, I found this very readable, and was surprised to find a female main character who openly speaks her mind (and the men listen to her, and then compliment her for acting "like a boy". This is a historical novel written around 1936. Sadly, after a major plot point (and with about 150 pages to go) I lost interest in the story. Towards the end, I just wanted it to end. I'm curious to see how this in handled on film and plan to check out the Masterpiece Theater version.

daisy_jackson17's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

brinathebabe's review against another edition

3.0

I am a little disappointed in this book because I ended up enjoying Rebecca by du Maurier so much, and this one didn't quite meet my expectations. It's been difficult to rate this one without comparing it to another work, but I'm going to do my best.

The disparagement of women, especially since the book was written by a woman, was frustrating, but easy to understand when you consider the time period the story takes place and the period of time in which the book was written. Despite taking the time to put the negative comments about women into context, it did not make me feel any better about the protagonist's life choice at the end of the book, which, personally, seemed like an incredibly dumb one, woman of the 1800s or not.

If I forget about the ending of the book, I was pretty pleased with the main character being strong, facing her fears, taking action when needed, despite calling out all her weaknesses because of being a woman. I really felt for her. She did her best in a situation that was beyond her control in a time when she couldn't just pack up and make her own way.

I did appreciate the mystery, setting, ambiance, etc. of the story. It was a great read for chilly weather and fall storms. The descriptions were moody and really gave you a great sense of place, and that was fun. The characters you are supposed to despise were definitely despicable. Personally, I found it refreshing to have an antagonist with no redeeming qualities. The big 'surprise' reveal at the ending felt somewhat obvious to me, but it was still an interesting twist, and I certainly got the creeps reading the last quarter of the book alone in a dark house.

I might consider rereading this one again in a few years and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys moody, historical fiction with a touch of mystery.

dan78's review against another edition

5.0

We stopped off at Jamaica Inn on our way to the South Cornwall coast and its amazingly atmospheric and prompted me to read Jamaica Inn whilst in Cornwall.

The book is incredible, it's gothic and atmospheric just like the actual Jamaica Inn! A great read for dark and stormy nights!