Helpful Score: 1
On a bitter November evening, young Mary Yellen journeys to the windswept Cornish coast to stay at the foreboding Jamaica Inn. She arrives at her aunt and uncle's inn to fulfill her mother's dying wish. Although the coachman tries to warn her to stay away from the ramshackled, ruined place, Mary chooses to stay and honor her late mother's final request.
So, Mary will join her relatives - her frightened Aunt Patience and her imposing Uncle Joss Merlyn - and do her best to ignore the various rumors swirling about the place. With the coachman's dire warning still echoing in her ears, Mary will witness her Aunt Patience cowering in fear before her dour Uncle Joss. Terrified by the inn's looming shadow and its brooding darkness, Mary gradually finds herself becoming ensnared in the various devious schemes being enacted behind its crumbling walls - and tempted to love a man she dares not trust.
I really enjoyed reading this book very much; in my opinion, the story was certainly very good and I wanted to find out what would happen next. Although, I will say that I found the story just the slightest bit overly theatrical for me. I absolutely love Daphne du Maurier's writing style; she certainly knew how to create a frightening and suspenseful atmosphere.
I would always literally get lost in Ms. Du Maurier's books every time I read one. However, Jamaica Inn was a slightly different reading experience for me; I never entirely lost myself along the wild Cornish moors while I read this particular book. In my opinion, while this was still a very good story, I don't think it was Daphne du Maurier's best work. Although, I would still give Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier an A!
So, Mary will join her relatives - her frightened Aunt Patience and her imposing Uncle Joss Merlyn - and do her best to ignore the various rumors swirling about the place. With the coachman's dire warning still echoing in her ears, Mary will witness her Aunt Patience cowering in fear before her dour Uncle Joss. Terrified by the inn's looming shadow and its brooding darkness, Mary gradually finds herself becoming ensnared in the various devious schemes being enacted behind its crumbling walls - and tempted to love a man she dares not trust.
I really enjoyed reading this book very much; in my opinion, the story was certainly very good and I wanted to find out what would happen next. Although, I will say that I found the story just the slightest bit overly theatrical for me. I absolutely love Daphne du Maurier's writing style; she certainly knew how to create a frightening and suspenseful atmosphere.
I would always literally get lost in Ms. Du Maurier's books every time I read one. However, Jamaica Inn was a slightly different reading experience for me; I never entirely lost myself along the wild Cornish moors while I read this particular book. In my opinion, while this was still a very good story, I don't think it was Daphne du Maurier's best work. Although, I would still give Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier an A!
Mary Yellen honors her mother's last wish to go live with her aunt at Jamaica Inn. From her first night on arrival she could sense the dark suspense that Jamaica Inn held. This takes place on the rugged coast of Cornwall, England...All about smuggler's with a sinister side.
If you liked the suspense of "Rebecca" then this is the next best novel!
If you liked the suspense of "Rebecca" then this is the next best novel!
Loved this book!! 4.5 stars. I think I read it years ago as the first few chapters really seemed familiar, but that may be because I've seen the movie. The first chapter is one of the best first chapters in any book I've read ... really set the mood for the story.
Frenchman's Creek, Rebecca, and Jamaica Inn are my all time favorite du Maurier novels. They are both romantic and atmospheric. They are classic.
Enjoyable thriller/romance from du Maurier. I have read a few others by her including Rebecca and House on the Strand and remember also enjoying them. I know I also saw an early film version of Jamaica Inn that was directed by Hitchcock... Hitchcock must have liked du Maurier because he used her stories as the basis of three of his films: Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, and The Birds. Anyway, Jamaica Inn tells the story of Mary Yallan who after her mother dies goes to live with her aunt Patience and her uncle Joss Merlyn at Jamaica Inn. Little does she realize that Merlyn is the leader of a gang of murderous pirates who attack passing ships, kill their crews, and steal their cargoes. Or is he the leader? Along the way, it is implied the Merlyn is taking his orders from someone else. Could it be his brother, Jem, who Mary seems to have fallen in love with? Or is is someone else? Overall, I would recommend this. I also will be looking to read more by du Maurier.
Daphne Du Maurice at her usual best in Cornwall. This 19th century adventure involves pirates wrecking ships on the rocky coast. Lots of wild and foggy moors. Very atmospheric. Based on a real inn in the moors.
