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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I was not very impressed - I don't think this was Du Maurier's strongest work. The basics are all there but she doesn't seem to get hold of them. This could be a great, gothic story but it's not.
Mary Yellan is probably not the right protagonist with her passive aggressive nature. Or maybe it's more insecurity but in any case she doesn't lead the story well.
Also, I did not enjoy the use of marital abuse as a way to explain a woman. It's really not my cup of tea.
Mary Yellan is probably not the right protagonist with her passive aggressive nature. Or maybe it's more insecurity but in any case she doesn't lead the story well.
Also, I did not enjoy the use of marital abuse as a way to explain a woman. It's really not my cup of tea.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read a number of books by Daphne du Maurier this year and she is now firmly positioned near the top of my favourite authors list. This book is no exception and although the 3* seems low this is definitely a 3.5* book and a great read.
Read no further if you want to avoid spoilers.
As with all du Maurier books, the atmosphere is incredible. The 1st chapter creates such a brooding, dark atmosphere that you know you're in for an interesting read. The overall story is interest as well, there is a good element if mystery. I was fearful myself of Joss, the drunk, smuggling, murderous uncle and although his character was perhaps lacking in depth his aggressive nature was part of the atmosphere. Unfortunately Aunt Patience was a disappointing character who never had any voice but this is probably due to the fact she was portrayed as a broken woman after her life with Joss.
I thought the vicar was a very interesting character. I had predicted there was more to him about half way through which was a bit of a shame but it didn't detach from the story.
The aspect of this book I liked the least was Mary. I liked how she stood up to Joss and wanted to protect her Aunt and I think she had more personality than many female heroines. What I couldn't stand was the love story. What did she see in Jem?! He was an arrogant thief and she had no evidence he wasn't i. With the smugglers. I still wonder if he was involved and gave his brother to the authorities to protect himself. I hated the end, Mary should have gone back to Helston and left Jem to himself as I think she would have been happier. I think this ending just shows how Daphne du Maurier developed as an author as it doesn't really fit with the endings if My Cousin Rachel or Rebecca.
I would definitely recommend this book but you might be disappointed if it was your first du Maurier. So try Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel first but if you love them, try this as well
Read no further if you want to avoid spoilers.
As with all du Maurier books, the atmosphere is incredible. The 1st chapter creates such a brooding, dark atmosphere that you know you're in for an interesting read. The overall story is interest as well, there is a good element if mystery. I was fearful myself of Joss, the drunk, smuggling, murderous uncle and although his character was perhaps lacking in depth his aggressive nature was part of the atmosphere. Unfortunately Aunt Patience was a disappointing character who never had any voice but this is probably due to the fact she was portrayed as a broken woman after her life with Joss.
I thought the vicar was a very interesting character. I had predicted there was more to him about half way through which was a bit of a shame but it didn't detach from the story.
The aspect of this book I liked the least was Mary. I liked how she stood up to Joss and wanted to protect her Aunt and I think she had more personality than many female heroines. What I couldn't stand was the love story. What did she see in Jem?! He was an arrogant thief and she had no evidence he wasn't i. With the smugglers. I still wonder if he was involved and gave his brother to the authorities to protect himself. I hated the end, Mary should have gone back to Helston and left Jem to himself as I think she would have been happier. I think this ending just shows how Daphne du Maurier developed as an author as it doesn't really fit with the endings if My Cousin Rachel or Rebecca.
I would definitely recommend this book but you might be disappointed if it was your first du Maurier. So try Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel first but if you love them, try this as well
Comments in <20 words: Proves mystery not inherently intriguing to me. Parasites still by far my fave by author.
Daphne du Maurier certainly knows how to write a page-turner. I was so into this book.
Táto kniha sa mi vynikajúco trafila do nálady. Od prvej vety ma to totálne vcuclo a každým slovom som nasávala tú nádhernú atmosféru, až som nakoniec skončila uprostred cornwallských vresovísk a odmietala odtiaľ odísť. Autorka mi opäť dokázala, že som jej knihy mala začať čítať omnoho skôr a okrem toho aj to, že bola ženou mnohých talentov, nakoľko každá kniha, ktorú som doteraz od nej prečítala, bola úplne iná, no zakaždým výborná. Body navyše získava to záverečné odhalenie, ktoré som vôbec, ale vôbec nečakala.
Teraz ma ospravedlňte. Idem si plánovať dovolenku v Cornwalle.
Teraz ma ospravedlňte. Idem si plánovať dovolenku v Cornwalle.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated