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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
THAT. WAS. SO. GOOD.
and no I didn't cry with absolute happiness at the end (no really I did - Jem/Mary 4EVA).
To start off with this book is moody in both setting and plot however I was extremely surprised at how terrifying this book became later on. I loved Mary Yellan as a leading female character as she has guts and was willing to stand up for herself and her Aunt Patience despite knowing what could happen to her if/when she did. The romance aspect of this book is probably one of my favourite I have ever read - it was chemistry fueled and not in-you-face lovey dovey. Joss Merlyn is one of the scariest character I have ever come across in a fiction book along meaning the even bigger villain (who I will not name as it is a HUGE spoiler) is also really creepy. Du Maurier's writing is beautifully descriptive and one of my favourite things about this novel was her descriptions of the blear moorland landscape and if it had been any other writer I probably would have been thoroughly bored.
There was nothing I disliked about this book it was thoroughly fantastic and dark with an ending that made me very happy indeed.
After reading this I want to read all of Daphne Du Maurier's books as her writing never fails to capture me, surprise me or make me fall in love with the stories and characters she has created.
and no I didn't cry with absolute happiness at the end (no really I did - Jem/Mary 4EVA).
To start off with this book is moody in both setting and plot however I was extremely surprised at how terrifying this book became later on. I loved Mary Yellan as a leading female character as she has guts and was willing to stand up for herself and her Aunt Patience despite knowing what could happen to her if/when she did. The romance aspect of this book is probably one of my favourite I have ever read - it was chemistry fueled and not in-you-face lovey dovey. Joss Merlyn is one of the scariest character I have ever come across in a fiction book along meaning the even bigger villain (who I will not name as it is a HUGE spoiler) is also really creepy. Du Maurier's writing is beautifully descriptive and one of my favourite things about this novel was her descriptions of the blear moorland landscape and if it had been any other writer I probably would have been thoroughly bored.
There was nothing I disliked about this book it was thoroughly fantastic and dark with an ending that made me very happy indeed.
After reading this I want to read all of Daphne Du Maurier's books as her writing never fails to capture me, surprise me or make me fall in love with the stories and characters she has created.
Check out this review and more on my blog!
3.5 Stars
If Daphne du Maurier had only ever written Rebecca, she'd still be a famous author now. Luckily for us, du Maurier wrote a heck of a lot!
Rebecca, Frenchman's Creek and Jamaica Inn are du Maurier's most well-known novels, and as I've already read Rebecca and Frenchman's Creek, I figured it was about time I got Jamaica Inn under my belt - especially as I might be visiting the real Jamaica Inn later this year!
For me du Maurier is such an easy author to read; I open a du Maurier book and I sink into the story, and Jamaica Inn was no different. Mary Yellan, like all of du Maurier's heroines I've read so far, is so present and jumps from the page. What I love about du Maurier is that she wrote so much, a lot of it historical fiction, and yet none of her work ever feels samey; The Second Mrs. de Winter, Dona St. Columb and Mary Yellan are all so separate from each other, and when pretty much everything du Maurier wrote is compared with Rebecca I love that she wrote so many different kinds of stories so it's almost impossible to directly compare any of her other work with Rebecca. (Aside, perhaps, from My Cousin Rachel, which I've heard is the closest of her novels to Rebecca).
Where Dona St. Columb is privileged and selfish and The Second Mrs. de Winter is meek and shy, Mary Yellan is a tough, salt of the earth kind of girl; she's not afraid of hard work and she's no stranger to how difficult life can be. Mary doesn't have any fantasies about falling passionately in love or becoming an advocate for woman's rights, she just wants to live in the countryside and run her own farm. But when your fate's in Daphne du Maurier's hands, you're destined for something more troublesome than farmwork.
After Mary's beloved mother dies she's sent to Bodmin Moor to live with her Aunt Patience at Jamaica Inn, but when she arrives she discovers that the bubbly, lovely woman she remembers has transformed into a woman who is constantly terrified, thanks to her brutish husband Joss Merlyn. Mary works at her uncle and aunt's inn, where no one ever stays, and soon discovers Jamaica Inn's dangerous secret, all while battling the strange attraction she feels to Joss's younger brother, Jem.
Considering Jamaica Inn was written before Rebecca, I've always thought it unfair that readers who read Rebecca first mark Jamaica Inn down because it isn't Rebecca, but now that I've read Jamaica Inn myself, having read Rebecca, I can understand their point of view a whole lot more. I didn't compare Jamaica Inn with Rebecca, they're two very different stories, but they do have similar themes; they're both fairly Gothic, with heroines in isolated places that feel like characters in their own right, and questionable love interests. In my edition of Jamaica Inn there's an introduction from historical fiction author Sarah Dunant, who claims that in Jamaica Inn it's easy to see that du Maurier was 'on her way' to Rebecca, and I'd agree with that, there's just that extra something missing from Jamaica Inn that makes Rebecca so special.
The more I think about it, the more I think the main problem I had with Jamaica Inn is that it's trying to be two different novels at once. Set in Cornwall, at the height of Cornish smuggling, there's not quite enough action to make this an adventurous, historical romp - Mary spends most of her time cooped up in Jamaica Inn or wandering alone on Bodmin Moor - but at the same time it's not quite slow-moving and atmospheric enough to be the kind of Gothic novel that Rebecca is. It never fully satisfies either type of story, so I couldn't fall in love with it the same way I fell in love with du Maurier's other work.
While this may be my least favourite du Maurier so far, though I still really enjoyed it, I do think Jamaica Inn has a fascinating villain. I won't say too much, I don't want to spoil it for anyone (though I have a feeling the villain is fairly obvious once you get into the book) but he was both unsettling and yet strangely enticing. In fact the villain may have been my favourite character in the book, because while Mary is written very well, as are Jem, Joss and Patience, she just didn't capture me quite as much as the villain did.
As I said above Mary is very different from the other du Maurier heroines I've met, and that I did really appreciate; both Dona and The Second Mrs. de Winter are romantic people, in very different ways, and while Mary does experience a romance of her own it's very different to the other du Maurier books I've read. Mary thinks about romance in the same way she thinks about animals on the farm - at some point it's natural for them to gravitate towards a member of the opposite sex, even produce offspring, but it's not something they think passionately about, if they think about it at all. I found it really refreshing to meet a heroine who was written in the '30s who has such a casual, practical opinion of relationships.
Ultimately Jamaica Inn is well-written, easy to read and a lot of fun, as well as being sinister in places, and I did enjoy it. If you ever find yourself stranded on Bodmin Moor, this would be the perfect book to have with you!
3.5 Stars
If Daphne du Maurier had only ever written Rebecca, she'd still be a famous author now. Luckily for us, du Maurier wrote a heck of a lot!
Rebecca, Frenchman's Creek and Jamaica Inn are du Maurier's most well-known novels, and as I've already read Rebecca and Frenchman's Creek, I figured it was about time I got Jamaica Inn under my belt - especially as I might be visiting the real Jamaica Inn later this year!
For me du Maurier is such an easy author to read; I open a du Maurier book and I sink into the story, and Jamaica Inn was no different. Mary Yellan, like all of du Maurier's heroines I've read so far, is so present and jumps from the page. What I love about du Maurier is that she wrote so much, a lot of it historical fiction, and yet none of her work ever feels samey; The Second Mrs. de Winter, Dona St. Columb and Mary Yellan are all so separate from each other, and when pretty much everything du Maurier wrote is compared with Rebecca I love that she wrote so many different kinds of stories so it's almost impossible to directly compare any of her other work with Rebecca. (Aside, perhaps, from My Cousin Rachel, which I've heard is the closest of her novels to Rebecca).
Where Dona St. Columb is privileged and selfish and The Second Mrs. de Winter is meek and shy, Mary Yellan is a tough, salt of the earth kind of girl; she's not afraid of hard work and she's no stranger to how difficult life can be. Mary doesn't have any fantasies about falling passionately in love or becoming an advocate for woman's rights, she just wants to live in the countryside and run her own farm. But when your fate's in Daphne du Maurier's hands, you're destined for something more troublesome than farmwork.
After Mary's beloved mother dies she's sent to Bodmin Moor to live with her Aunt Patience at Jamaica Inn, but when she arrives she discovers that the bubbly, lovely woman she remembers has transformed into a woman who is constantly terrified, thanks to her brutish husband Joss Merlyn. Mary works at her uncle and aunt's inn, where no one ever stays, and soon discovers Jamaica Inn's dangerous secret, all while battling the strange attraction she feels to Joss's younger brother, Jem.
Considering Jamaica Inn was written before Rebecca, I've always thought it unfair that readers who read Rebecca first mark Jamaica Inn down because it isn't Rebecca, but now that I've read Jamaica Inn myself, having read Rebecca, I can understand their point of view a whole lot more. I didn't compare Jamaica Inn with Rebecca, they're two very different stories, but they do have similar themes; they're both fairly Gothic, with heroines in isolated places that feel like characters in their own right, and questionable love interests. In my edition of Jamaica Inn there's an introduction from historical fiction author Sarah Dunant, who claims that in Jamaica Inn it's easy to see that du Maurier was 'on her way' to Rebecca, and I'd agree with that, there's just that extra something missing from Jamaica Inn that makes Rebecca so special.
The more I think about it, the more I think the main problem I had with Jamaica Inn is that it's trying to be two different novels at once. Set in Cornwall, at the height of Cornish smuggling, there's not quite enough action to make this an adventurous, historical romp - Mary spends most of her time cooped up in Jamaica Inn or wandering alone on Bodmin Moor - but at the same time it's not quite slow-moving and atmospheric enough to be the kind of Gothic novel that Rebecca is. It never fully satisfies either type of story, so I couldn't fall in love with it the same way I fell in love with du Maurier's other work.
While this may be my least favourite du Maurier so far, though I still really enjoyed it, I do think Jamaica Inn has a fascinating villain. I won't say too much, I don't want to spoil it for anyone (though I have a feeling the villain is fairly obvious once you get into the book) but he was both unsettling and yet strangely enticing. In fact the villain may have been my favourite character in the book, because while Mary is written very well, as are Jem, Joss and Patience, she just didn't capture me quite as much as the villain did.
As I said above Mary is very different from the other du Maurier heroines I've met, and that I did really appreciate; both Dona and The Second Mrs. de Winter are romantic people, in very different ways, and while Mary does experience a romance of her own it's very different to the other du Maurier books I've read. Mary thinks about romance in the same way she thinks about animals on the farm - at some point it's natural for them to gravitate towards a member of the opposite sex, even produce offspring, but it's not something they think passionately about, if they think about it at all. I found it really refreshing to meet a heroine who was written in the '30s who has such a casual, practical opinion of relationships.
Ultimately Jamaica Inn is well-written, easy to read and a lot of fun, as well as being sinister in places, and I did enjoy it. If you ever find yourself stranded on Bodmin Moor, this would be the perfect book to have with you!
O poveste in care suspansul este la el acasa si totusi nu m-a acaparat ca Rebecca si Verisoara mea, Rachel. Dar, nu pot sa raman pasiva la viata lui Mary, plina de peripetii. Asa mai zic si eu caracter puternic si invingator.
3.5-4 stars.
I can't decide how I feel about this book. I know I didn't hate it but I know I didn't love it either. It was entertaining and very mysterious. It's definitely a slow built mystery and Du Maurier misdirects the reader at some points in order to maintain the mystery. I also liked how there is a "love story" in the book but it's not too heavy. I feel like everyone should read this before Rebecca because this falls short compared to Rebecca. I am glad I read it but I probably won't read it again.
I can't decide how I feel about this book. I know I didn't hate it but I know I didn't love it either. It was entertaining and very mysterious. It's definitely a slow built mystery and Du Maurier misdirects the reader at some points in order to maintain the mystery. I also liked how there is a "love story" in the book but it's not too heavy. I feel like everyone should read this before Rebecca because this falls short compared to Rebecca. I am glad I read it but I probably won't read it again.
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one is very Wuthering Heights-esque. And, I didn't love it. I'm not a huge fan of that Bronte novel and this didn't change a thing. I liked the MC but wow everything else was so heavy-handed. It all was laid on so thickly for me and just meh. I liked du Maurier's other books better than this one. It was still a fine novel, just that it wasn't set-up as I expected it to be.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the things that really stood out for me in Jamaica Inn was the atmosphere - dark and threatening. The inn itself was isolated and even before her arrival Mary heard reports that it wasn’t safe, that coaches no longer stopped there. The landscape was desolate, windswept and barren; the sky seemed to be always grey, the cliffs and the sea claimed lives, Joss was large and menacing. Then there were the noises in the night Mary was warned not to hear and explicit threats were made as to what she should expect if she did. Not to mention her encounters with wreckers who callously took lives. Du Maurier did a great job creating an atmosphere is which the reader and Mary could never relax. And then came the twist - a master stroke - where the most dangerous threat came from a totally unexpected and overlooked source.
If this story is anything to go by du Maurier doesn’t have a high opinion of men. They all seem to be criminals, most ready to use violence whenever they like and especially in their dealings with women. It is clear that Mary’s Aunt Patience is the victim of domestic violence, both physical and emotional, while Joss threatens Mary on more than one occasion with physical harm and with gang rape.
Mary is a determined, brave and courageous heroine. She stands up to Joss, despite the cost and her fears, not just for herself but also in an effort to protect her aunt. She takes a risk in trying to get Joss arrested, and her motivation is mostly to free Patience from his tyrant. In life threatening situations she mostly manages to remain collected and not give in to intimidation. She’s not a demure and fragile stereotype. Her relationship with Jem is an interesting one. She recognises his faults but is drawn to him regardless, and chooses a life with him over various safer, more “suitable” alternatives.
All in all a surprising and enjoyable read with a foreboding atmosphere and a complex but courageous female protagonist.
If this story is anything to go by du Maurier doesn’t have a high opinion of men. They all seem to be criminals, most ready to use violence whenever they like and especially in their dealings with women. It is clear that Mary’s Aunt Patience is the victim of domestic violence, both physical and emotional, while Joss threatens Mary on more than one occasion with physical harm and with gang rape.
Mary is a determined, brave and courageous heroine. She stands up to Joss, despite the cost and her fears, not just for herself but also in an effort to protect her aunt. She takes a risk in trying to get Joss arrested, and her motivation is mostly to free Patience from his tyrant. In life threatening situations she mostly manages to remain collected and not give in to intimidation. She’s not a demure and fragile stereotype. Her relationship with Jem is an interesting one. She recognises his faults but is drawn to him regardless, and chooses a life with him over various safer, more “suitable” alternatives.
All in all a surprising and enjoyable read with a foreboding atmosphere and a complex but courageous female protagonist.
I chose to read this book specifically because it is set in Cornwall and I am spending the Christmas period in Padstow. I enjoyed reading Rebecca for the first time earlier in the year, so I had positive expectations.
I don’t usually read this type of book. I don’t enjoy historical fiction on the whole, but I found myself engrossed in the story. I enjoy the way that Du Maurier writes, she made me feel like I was actually on Bodmin Moor at the Jamaica Inn. I could smell and feel and see and hear the pub and its patrons, and then the wild moorland. It was captivating.
I felt that the character of Aunt Patience was somewhat weak. There wasn’t enough time spent exploring the character and what had made her the way that she was, and she seemed very flat and two dimensional in comparison to the other characters in the novel, and I did notice this somewhat.
There were a few typos in the edition of the book that I read, which detracted a little from my enjoyment.
Overall, I found the story solid and engaging, and difficult to put down! It was an excellent choice for a holiday read.
I don’t usually read this type of book. I don’t enjoy historical fiction on the whole, but I found myself engrossed in the story. I enjoy the way that Du Maurier writes, she made me feel like I was actually on Bodmin Moor at the Jamaica Inn. I could smell and feel and see and hear the pub and its patrons, and then the wild moorland. It was captivating.
I felt that the character of Aunt Patience was somewhat weak. There wasn’t enough time spent exploring the character and what had made her the way that she was, and she seemed very flat and two dimensional in comparison to the other characters in the novel, and I did notice this somewhat.
There were a few typos in the edition of the book that I read, which detracted a little from my enjoyment.
Overall, I found the story solid and engaging, and difficult to put down! It was an excellent choice for a holiday read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dec 2020
This was my third du Maurier novel and once again I really enjoyed it. While I didn't think the ending was as strong as My Cousin Rachel and Rebecca, it was dark and dramatic and still really gripped me. I love her writing and the atmosphere of her books. The ominous mood throughout and the vivid descriptions of the moors and the weather really made the book for me. I'm excited to pick up more du Maurier next year.
Nov 2022
I re-read this for my book club and I enjoyed it just as much the second time round. I really love du Maurier's writing and the way she creates atmosphere. It's also always interesting re-reading a book with a twist when you know what's going to happen. I'm still not completely on board with the ending, but it's still a really gripping read.
This was my third du Maurier novel and once again I really enjoyed it. While I didn't think the ending was as strong as My Cousin Rachel and Rebecca, it was dark and dramatic and still really gripped me. I love her writing and the atmosphere of her books. The ominous mood throughout and the vivid descriptions of the moors and the weather really made the book for me. I'm excited to pick up more du Maurier next year.
Nov 2022
I re-read this for my book club and I enjoyed it just as much the second time round. I really love du Maurier's writing and the way she creates atmosphere. It's also always interesting re-reading a book with a twist when you know what's going to happen. I'm still not completely on board with the ending, but it's still a really gripping read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated