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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Might have been better as a short story. Mary was a bit ridiculous as it turns out.
I'm shelving this for later maybe. It's too much like a very dingy noir for me right now.
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:
Complicated
3.5 stars.
truly no one is doing is like daphne du marier. the atmosphere in this book is so extraordinary.
truly no one is doing is like daphne du marier. the atmosphere in this book is so extraordinary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
A four-star read until the last couple of pages. I love the dark, Gothic atmosphere that pervades this novel: du Maurier's rich descriptions of the Cornish moors, the brutish villain (a fantastic blend of Bronte's Heathcliff and the caricature antagonists Dickens writes so well), and the wonderfully roguish love interest are all equally captivating. I dislike the ending, not because I object to the outcome, but because I wish it had occurred on more equal terms. Mary is a wonderful heroine - brave, feisty and principled at all the right moments - and I think she deserves a more satisfying resolution than du Maurier gives her.
I have some mixed feelings about this book! I very much enjoyed De Maurier's writing style and know I'll go on to read so much more from her. I've always been a bit intimidated to read her books, knowing how beloved and well regarded they are on top of the usual mental block I get when it comes to starting and finishing literary novels rather than my usual fantasy or ya. But I can definitely say I no longer have that holding me back from enjoying the rest of her works. It was so easy to read Jamaica Inn, I flew through it in only a couple of sittings. I can't wait to start Rebecca and tear through her other novels.
But the story itself I found a bit rudimentary. The descriptions and prose was beautiful, never have I been more tempted to revisit the dreaded moors of Wuthering Heights, having read the book only once when I was in primary school and strongly disliking it, than when roaming the moors with Mary. But the plot itself was a simple one, I guessed the ending chapters before we got there and knew Jem would be good from practically the first meeting. And Joss Merlyn was so unimpressive. I read the introduction before starting and can't help but agree with the critics who found his character a characture of an abusive villain than altogether overly scary. His rather powerless and pathetic character is only further highlighted when we come across the chilling sketch of the albino's congregation, and the possessiveness to his manner once his villainy is at last revealed. A man who never hides his feelings, angry and hateful as the may be, will never be so scary as the man who conceals his true self to serve a nefarious purpose.
I would have been interested to see more of Patience's story, perhaps if we had been with the Merlyn's at Jamaica Inn when they had been in the midst of success and power, rather than as it was all but gone, Joss would have been a more impressive villain.
Altogether I wasn't displeased with Jamaica Inn, though predictable it was still incredibly entertaining. Daphne de Maurier creates such a vivid sense of setting that it would be impossible not to enjoy her writing.
But the story itself I found a bit rudimentary. The descriptions and prose was beautiful, never have I been more tempted to revisit the dreaded moors of Wuthering Heights, having read the book only once when I was in primary school and strongly disliking it, than when roaming the moors with Mary. But the plot itself was a simple one, I guessed the ending chapters before we got there and knew Jem would be good from practically the first meeting. And Joss Merlyn was so unimpressive. I read the introduction before starting and can't help but agree with the critics who found his character a characture of an abusive villain than altogether overly scary. His rather powerless and pathetic character is only further highlighted when we come across the chilling sketch of the albino's congregation, and the possessiveness to his manner once his villainy is at last revealed. A man who never hides his feelings, angry and hateful as the may be, will never be so scary as the man who conceals his true self to serve a nefarious purpose.
I would have been interested to see more of Patience's story, perhaps if we had been with the Merlyn's at Jamaica Inn when they had been in the midst of success and power, rather than as it was all but gone, Joss would have been a more impressive villain.
Altogether I wasn't displeased with Jamaica Inn, though predictable it was still incredibly entertaining. Daphne de Maurier creates such a vivid sense of setting that it would be impossible not to enjoy her writing.
I am becoming more and more enraptured by Daphne du Maurier, and Jamaica Inn was just what I needed. It had mystery, a historic setting, strong women but also the prose was easy to follow and the characters were convincing. I loved Jem, I fell into the hands of the writer and while I tried to come up with reasons to loath him, I just couldn't. Mary was strong, and I didn't expect the twist at the end, that is also one of the aspects of Du Maurier's novels that I love - there is nearly always a splash of murder or a hot plot twist somewhere in there. It reminded me a lot of Rebecca in that respect, but Du Maurier keeps her novels orginial and I can't wait to see what Frenchman's Creek and The Loving Spirit has to offer.
Second read (2020):
Reads so easily and so atmospheric!! Loved it, loved it. I forgot so much plot from my first read, so it was still a bit of a mystery. Jem is the best.
Second read (2020):
Reads so easily and so atmospheric!! Loved it, loved it. I forgot so much plot from my first read, so it was still a bit of a mystery. Jem is the best.
Amusing if not predictable. I may give it a 4 after it sits with me for a little while.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes