Having fallen in love with Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, I was anxious to read something else by her. I was not disappointed with Jamaica Inn.
It's the 1800's and Mary Yellan is a twenty three year old woman who has lived her life on a farm in Helston. She helped her mother with the family farm after her father passed away. When her mother loses her will to live, she shares with Mary her final wish. She says that Mary is to go to live with her Aunt Patience in Bodmin after she dies. Patience' husband Joss Merlyn is the Innkeeper of Jamaica Inn.
Mary arrives at the gloomy inn, and is shocked by the woman her Aunt Patience has become. Formerly outgoing and cheerful, now she is nervous, quiet, aloof and frightened. Her husband, Joss is creepy, mean and secretive, and Mary realizes early on that this is not a place for her or her aunt, as danger lurks within the crumbling inn.
(p. 159...."She thought of Aunt Patience, trailing like a ghost in the shadow of her master, and she shuddered. That would be Mary Yellen too, but for the Grace of God and her own strength and will."
Mary wants to escape but she is torn because of the promise she made to her mother. She feels her aunt is not safe with Joss, an alcoholic, and she wants Aunt Patience to escape as well. Strange things are going on at the inn on the Cornish coast. I don't want to give spoilers, but there are never any guests and is not even open to the public, and secretive things happen late at night at Jamaica Inn.
MY THOUGHTS - If you like Gothic novels, and stories that evoke the atmosphere of horror and dread, then this novel should be perfect for you.
RECOMMENDED - 4.5/5 stars (Purchased by Me)
I like reading her too, nice review :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Daphne DuMaurier in years. I used to thoroughly enjoy her books!
ReplyDeleteI picked this one up at a library book sale. Now I'm really looking forward to reading it! Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! I have been seeing this around...I read it, along with some other DuMaurier books...but it was long ago!
ReplyDeleteTime to reread, I think.
Glad to see this one was good! I loved Rebecca, but I wasn't as crazy about My Cousin Rachel, and I've been reluctant to try more du Maurier. I'll have to check out Jamaica Inn!
ReplyDeleteI read this one a couple years ago and totally loved it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like one I would like... maybe after I read Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteI love du Maurier as well. Ths wasn't my favourite of hers, but still a darn good read.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this interesting review. I too fell totally in love with Rebecca many years ago - and recently i have recommended it to my book club as a British book (we are all from different countries so recommend a book from our home)... however after reading this I may give Jamaica Inn a go.
ReplyDeleteThank you and lovely blog,
hannah
Ooooh this sounds like a must read! Daphne is a master at these sorts of stories!
ReplyDeleteAnother 'must read' .... you have me adding to my list once again!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to hear you love this book too. It is my favourite DuMaurier book now.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see another reader who has fallen in love with Daphne! Have a great week and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh...sounds wonderfully dark! Rebbecca is one of my all time favorites, so this one is definitely going on the TBR list!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this a lot too! I so need to read more Du Maurier.
ReplyDeleteSounds great. I haven't read any of her works yet but Rebecca is sitting on my shelf. Recently, I have fallen in love with Gothic works so I'm thinking I'll probably really like Rebecca and if I do, I'll be sure to check this one out afterward.
ReplyDeleteI love everything I've read by DuMaurier so far and look forward to reading this one too!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I thought Rebecca was rather overdone but I think that's the point of Gothic literature. Probably why I love it so much! I'll definitely be checking this one out.
ReplyDeleteI loved Rebecca so much; I can't believe I haven't read any more of du Maurier's stuff. Sounds like I need to remedy that with this one.
ReplyDeleteI loved Rebecca and have been looking for something else by Du Maurier to read. Sounds like this one is also great!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I haven't read this book but your review makes me want to! Isn't this the book that they made a movie of with Maureen O'Hara? Nice review!!
ReplyDeleteJeannie...it is a movie, but am not sure who starred in it as i never saw the movie.
ReplyDeleteI do like a good gothic novel every now and then, so this looks like something I should put on my list. Very nice review. I will be adding this book to my wish list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteREBECCA is the only DeMaurier novel I've read. I must get to some of her others; thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThe only Dumaurier I have read is her biography of Branwell Bronte-which I really liked a lot-I want to read Rebecca soon and from there will read some of her other works-
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