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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
What a bizarre conclusion to the story. Having read Jamaica Inn and Frenchman's Creek I'm thinking I maybe just don't like du Maurier that much. Will probably still give Rebecca a try though.
A bit of a silly book all in all. None of the characters are mildly convincing and the ‘thrills’ are a little hackneyed. Reads a bit like a young adult book. For hardcore Daphne fans only.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A wonderful gothic adventure, and, surprisingly, bests Wuthering Heights in its looming, tactile evocation of the moors. The sense of being awash in her language rushes the reader along through the mystery, and gloom, and a few unnecessary romantic complications. The climax is immensely satisfying, though, and beautifully, triumphantly weird :)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
One of my favourite characteristics of Gothic fiction is how the natural landscape emerges as a character in its own right, with its own history, identity, moods, and even actions. Showing the land itself as an active presence, rather than a passive backdrop, stirs an ancient awe in the reader that is part terror and part respect - and that is certainly true of this dark gem of a book.
The connection between the blackened souls of certain characters and the deadly moors is just one aspect of Jamaica Inn that made it rank firmly above Rebecca - the only other du Maurier novel I have read - for me. Despite its historical setting, I found that this book feels so much more fresh, modern, and incisive than Rebecca; du Maurier pushes at burgeoning notions of feminism through her protagonist, Mary, in a complex and thought-provoking way which I really appreciated. Mary is not made entirely dauntless; she feels weakness as she faints with horror and pain. Her resilience is remarkable in the way that she always pushes herself to recover, and to resist evil with every jot of her intelligence and energy. She is deeply self aware, and I found that even when she made decisions which I didn't like or agree with, I could completely understand why she made them, which is a mark of excellent character development. She wrestles between adoration, lust, and disgust towards her love interest, Jem Merlyn, but even as she vacillates between these emotions, she is keenly aware of her changing mind and - more crucially - *why* it is changing.
I read this with a group, and in our chat for this novel, we all agreed how strange it is that du Maurier's books have historically been typefied as romances. This is a tragedy on two levels to me; firstly, as it is a clear misunderstanding of du Maurier's work and its core themes, and secondly, as the author so clearly feels romantic love to be such a source of strife and grief. Jamaica Inn may not leave you with much faith in humanity and its many vices, but it will encourage you to probe at some of the great philosophical and sociological questions of the 20th century, which we are still unpacking today.
The connection between the blackened souls of certain characters and the deadly moors is just one aspect of Jamaica Inn that made it rank firmly above Rebecca - the only other du Maurier novel I have read - for me. Despite its historical setting, I found that this book feels so much more fresh, modern, and incisive than Rebecca; du Maurier pushes at burgeoning notions of feminism through her protagonist, Mary, in a complex and thought-provoking way which I really appreciated. Mary is not made entirely dauntless; she feels weakness as she faints with horror and pain. Her resilience is remarkable in the way that she always pushes herself to recover, and to resist evil with every jot of her intelligence and energy. She is deeply self aware, and I found that even when she made decisions which I didn't like or agree with, I could completely understand why she made them, which is a mark of excellent character development. She wrestles between adoration, lust, and disgust towards her love interest, Jem Merlyn, but even as she vacillates between these emotions, she is keenly aware of her changing mind and - more crucially - *why* it is changing.
I read this with a group, and in our chat for this novel, we all agreed how strange it is that du Maurier's books have historically been typefied as romances. This is a tragedy on two levels to me; firstly, as it is a clear misunderstanding of du Maurier's work and its core themes, and secondly, as the author so clearly feels romantic love to be such a source of strife and grief. Jamaica Inn may not leave you with much faith in humanity and its many vices, but it will encourage you to probe at some of the great philosophical and sociological questions of the 20th century, which we are still unpacking today.
dark
mysterious
tense
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
This book failed to meet my expectations. It was a moody, dark gothic read like I hoped, but was missing some complexity and mystery. The characters were especially like able (Mary was kind of blah to me) and the story seemed a little simply for what I’m used to from Du Maurier. It took me nearly six weeks to read, which I did not expect.
Daphne has a way of sneaking up on you. For me, at least, her characters remain inscrutable for a good portion of the book, and then, right when I start to silently, shamefully root for an ending I know is not good for any of the characters but somewhat romantic, she throws it in my face, screaming "Are you not entertained?", leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth, even though I kinda got what I wanted - maybe *because* I got what I wanted and not what I needed, or the other way around, I don't even know.
All I do know is that Daphne du Maurier writes masterfully about her heroine's moral conflict and her own troubles with who she is attracted to, with religion and individuality. Jane Eyre comes to mind, but Daphne, probably thanks to her time, can write much more directly about this.
This book is very different from Rebecca with regards to the plot and the heroine and her development, but of course the atmospheric writing she is so famous for is present in both novels. I recommend this just as much.
All I do know is that Daphne du Maurier writes masterfully about her heroine's moral conflict and her own troubles with who she is attracted to, with religion and individuality. Jane Eyre comes to mind, but Daphne, probably thanks to her time, can write much more directly about this.
This book is very different from Rebecca with regards to the plot and the heroine and her development, but of course the atmospheric writing she is so famous for is present in both novels. I recommend this just as much.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No