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serendipitysbooks 's review for:
Jamaica Inn
by Daphne du Maurier
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.