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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I read this for Gothic Fic book club (off GR) and really enjoyed it. It's very of it's time (1930s) in terms of attitudes and snarky humour, some of which I appreciated and some of which I didn't. I almost wish du Maurier hadn't shoehorned a romantic subplot in there, and the ending fell a bit flat for me (we discussed this in book club and I wasn't the only one who felt that way!) ... I do find it interesting how it's marketed or presented as a romance, and some versions emphasise this with the cover over other editions. I wouldn't personally recommend reading it for the romance element, but it's a solid Gothic melodrama with lots of atmosphere.
This 1936 novel is an early and excellent example of the romantic suspense genre. Set in the late 1800s, a young woman is suddenly on her own. She travels over the barren English moors to live with an aunt that she barely knows, who is married to a beast of a man.
Force to work hard while trying to protect her anxious aunt, Mary Yellen hears noises in the night which ultimately lead to some terrifying discoveries. When her uncle's brother comes around though, Mary cannot deny her attraction to him even though he is clearly a bit of a scoundrel.
This is pretty intense in spots. Good fear factor. The moors in particular with their expansiveness and murky bogs are well depicted. Romance could be ramped up a bit, though for the 1930s, this already was pretty racy. The plot is excellent. Daphne du Maurier, of Rebecca fame, deserved her popularity. Good read.
Force to work hard while trying to protect her anxious aunt, Mary Yellen hears noises in the night which ultimately lead to some terrifying discoveries. When her uncle's brother comes around though, Mary cannot deny her attraction to him even though he is clearly a bit of a scoundrel.
This is pretty intense in spots. Good fear factor. The moors in particular with their expansiveness and murky bogs are well depicted. Romance could be ramped up a bit, though for the 1930s, this already was pretty racy. The plot is excellent. Daphne du Maurier, of Rebecca fame, deserved her popularity. Good read.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
christmas gift, cozy read. The moors ~~ so beautiful
A bit like Jane Eyre but if the queer ghostly character "haunting the narrative" wasn't Rochester's wife but St John Rivers as a sociopathic albino
Jem is a decent romantic lead but i liked Francis way better. He was awesome
A bit like Jane Eyre but if the queer ghostly character "haunting the narrative" wasn't Rochester's wife but St John Rivers as a sociopathic albino
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For a book that is meant to be a romantic thriller story, Jamaica Inn is full of decidedly unromantic thoughts. But I was hooked nonetheless!! I need more du Maurier in my life!
Word of advice, save this one for a dark, stormy 'clashing rain against the window panes' kinda day.
Word of advice, save this one for a dark, stormy 'clashing rain against the window panes' kinda day.
I loved this book, and I’ll read anything by Daphne du Maurier that I can get my hands on. This was so creepy and moody and atmospheric and her descriptions of the moors and the terrible Jamaica Inn are so immersive. The characters felt very real, especially the evil ones, and the heroine is someone I could really cheer for. The romance is believable, and it serves its purpose well without being the focus of the book. This was a novel I kept wanting to get back to and was constantly thinking about. I really recommend it if you like mysteries in interesting settings and want a more classic version of that.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier has been one of my favorite gothic novels for a very long time, yet I somehow kept putting off reading Jamaica Inn. Another gothic mystery, this one didn't have quite the same punch, but still gave those same fantastic atmospheric vibes. The setting is perfect...come on, when were the moors not great for a literary setting?...and everything is very gray and murky, even the circumstances of the happenings at Jamaica Inn.
I enjoyed du Maurier's clever writing and the way she really brings her characters to life. Joss is a terrible person who I hated right off the bat, but he is incredibly tangible in the writing, which just makes him a character who stands super firmly. Mary is a great female protagonist and I loved her fighting spirit. If you enjoy Austen's brazen heroines, then Mary is the right girl for you.
The plot wasn't quite as much as I expected, but I think that's just because I was in the mood for some extra spooky reads at the time. It is still well-written and follows a logical train of thought. The suspense is high and I truly wasn't sure what to expect. A nice dark, gothic read...perfect for a cold & dreary day or cozy night.
I enjoyed du Maurier's clever writing and the way she really brings her characters to life. Joss is a terrible person who I hated right off the bat, but he is incredibly tangible in the writing, which just makes him a character who stands super firmly. Mary is a great female protagonist and I loved her fighting spirit. If you enjoy Austen's brazen heroines, then Mary is the right girl for you.
The plot wasn't quite as much as I expected, but I think that's just because I was in the mood for some extra spooky reads at the time. It is still well-written and follows a logical train of thought. The suspense is high and I truly wasn't sure what to expect. A nice dark, gothic read...perfect for a cold & dreary day or cozy night.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced