Jamaica Inn
by Daphne Du Maurier
★★★★
Mary Yellan, an innocent 23-year-old farm girl is sent to live with her aunt when her mother’s death orphans her. Upon her arrival she learns that her dear aunt has become a terrified, shell of a person. She lives in constant fear of her husband, Joss Merlyn, the vicious landlord of the Jamaica Inn.
Mary soon realizes her uncle is involved in some devious plot, which is putting them all in danger. She’s isolated at the inn, located far out in the lonely Cornwall moors, and she doesn’t know what to do. Joss’ brother Jem walks the thin line between charming scoundrel and devilish tempter. Friendless and alone, Mary wants to trust him, but she isn’t sure if she should.
I didn’t love this one quite as much as Du Maurier’s Rebecca, but it’s still a good gothic mystery. She’s an expert in sustaining suspense and intrigue. I found this one much more predictable, but I don’t know if that’s because it was or if I’m just becoming used to her style. This is my third book from the author and even if it’s not my favorite, it didn’t disappoint.
For a another review, visit The Reading Life.
11 comments:
I enjoyed this book and rated it the same as you when I read it. Want to read more by this author soon.
Over at Books I Done Read, Raych has been reading all of du Maurier's books, and it definitely seems like it took awhile for her to hit her stride. I loved Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel though.
Rebecca was great and I was always curious about her other novels. Everyone keeps talking about this one, so I think it will be my next de Maurier.
I have enjoyed all of de Maurier's work. She certainly led an interesting life! I do think Rebecca had to be her best.
I haven't read this one. I've heard it's one of her better ones. I read My Cousin Rachel and it was pretty good, but I didn't really like Castle Dor. It was kind of boring. I did love Rebecca though. I don't know if any of her other's can beat that.
I felt much the same way about it. Not as good as Rebecca but still a good read.
I still have never read DuMaurier, but I hope to start with Rebecca, which I plan to read this year sometime.
Part of me, just a small part, wishes I hadn't read Rebecca first. I loved that book so much and nothing I've read of Du Maurier's has quite matched up. I wonder if I would have appreciated some of her other books more if I wasn't subconciously comparing them to the brilliance of Rebecca.
I was sort of middle of the road on this one. I didn't like the way it ended.
This is one of the books that really got me into reading. Up until about eleven I hated reading. Then my mother took me to the library, got me a card and checked out Jane Eyre, Rebecca and Jamaica Inn. When we got home, she told me to choose one - I chose Jane Eyre because I was holding it - then go to my room and not come out until I'd finished at least three chapters. Hours later: she had to pry me from the book. After that I read the Du Maurier stories, and loved them, though I also thought Rebecca was more interesting.
mari - What fantastic choices for your first 3 books that really hooked you! I wish I could say that Jane Eyre was the book that cemented my love of reading, but that came a few years later. I love how those early books (whatever they are) mean the world to us forever.
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