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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Now this author could write:
'And then I'll feel the thirst come on me and I'll soak. Soak for hours. It's power, and glory, and women, and the Kingdom of God, all rolled into one. I feel a king then, Mary. I feel I've got the strings of the world between my two fingers. It's heaven and hell. '
Daphne du Maurier has style. The woman has a way with words that is as enchanting as her story concepts themselves. She had a bravery in writing realistic characters who are flawed, shining gems. I was first wowed with the classic [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386605169s/17899948.jpg|46663], and then she wowed me again with [b:The Birds and Other Stories|18869985|The Birds and Other Stories|Daphne du Maurier|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386610699s/18869985.jpg|49087].
Jamaica Inn was penned earlier in her career, so it shows she was just learning how to climb the creative ropes the right way. It's not her best work but it's definitely readable because, hello!, it's Daphne du Maurier.
Mary was unique in that she didn't mind so much with having to consort with lesser-liked types, those who are criminals or viewed poorly by the local village. She's headstrong and daring, but also unique in that she's not the classic goth heroine who is overcome with compassion, fainting spells, hysteria, and insanely overdone innocence. She may not always be the wisest with her actions, but she's spirited in motive and refreshing with her courage and outlook.
The story is goth blended in with disorganized crime. While Gothics of the day usually held back most mystery on the evil deeds going on until later for a big reveal, this one shows them pretty early, having the character deal with them the best she can for the sake of a vulnerable aunt. There is a twist at the end on a villain, of course, but nothing too tightly woven. The book is lackluster because of this. We go through her life at the inn, face the horrors and discover the crimes, but there's not enough tension there to make it overly exciting.
“No, Mary had no illusions about romance. Falling in love was a pretty name for it, that was all.”
The relationship was another weird thing. It made little sense to me that she was so attracted to the brother, but then again it shows that she circled around to live the same life as the aunt she so harshly judges. He's a classic anti-hero though, so that's cool enough by concept. I didn't understand all the chemistry between them but I think it falls down to a few things - one, that the men's family tree lured in women of her line, like her aunt who had fallen for the uncle when they were younger. Second, that they both had some bond with how they were similar - she liked the adventurous and mildly daring, didn't mind a little lawbreaking, was rather wild and free in a way that would draw him in. That's probably why the uncle liked her a little too.
The ending was hardly romantic, it was a little bit of an abrupt afterthought, but if he didn't come back at all it would have bugged me.
Overall, the book needed a little more story rather than some of the padding to keep it fresh. It's worth reading for more of du Maurier's fantastic writing ability, her unusual characters who stand out like sore thumbs in a sea of normalcy, and for a darker themed gothic novel that dared to take chances with unusual violence.
I've been in a reading slump for nearly a month and this book dragged me out of it so that should be testament to it's power. Du Maurier's skill as a writer is truly breathtaking. Jamaica Inn is a very underrated book and I actually enjoyed it SO MUCH more than Rebecca.
Mary Yellan is a fascinating protagonist to follow. She a calculating, brave, loyal, fearsome, but also terrified and impulsive. Following her through this book was a captivating experience.
Everyone else in this book is horrendous. It is a book filled with the worst sort of people. I think that's what makes it so compelling though.. It really displays humankind in all of its guises and doesn't shy away from criminality, brutality and conflicts of humanity.
Mary Yellan is a fascinating protagonist to follow. She a calculating, brave, loyal, fearsome, but also terrified and impulsive. Following her through this book was a captivating experience.
Everyone else in this book is horrendous. It is a book filled with the worst sort of people. I think that's what makes it so compelling though.. It really displays humankind in all of its guises and doesn't shy away from criminality, brutality and conflicts of humanity.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
du Maurier never disappoints - another fantastic, deliciously suspenseful Gothic novel
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Daphne du Maurier is the queen of the gothic novel. I loved the atmosphere, setting and descriptions. I however did not care for the weak protagonist. Throughout reading I wished for more self esteem for her so she could realize that she could do better.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Jamaica Inn paints an adventurous tale of a young woman who inadvertently gets mixed up with smugglers in Cornwall. Throughout the story, though, Mary Yellan reacts with spirit and pluck. The moody, atmospheric tone places Jamaica Inn in the tradition of Gothic novels, while the twist cements the novel in the oeuvre of du Maurier's Rebecca. Overall, the book feels lighter than Rebecca with an almost swashbuckling tone. A plus: Daphne du Maurier was inspired to write the novel after visitng the actual Jamaica Inn on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Read if you enjoy: strong female characters, Gothic novels, twists, adventure and melodrama
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Death of parent