This book.
Ohhh, this book.
Let me summarize my feelings regarding "Jamaica Inn" in one sentence: The book was accidentally returned to the library a week-and-a-half ago, and I didn't bother to check it back out.
I mean, sheesh! I don't know what it was about the book that kept me from reading with relish (I mean joy, not yucky hot dog condiments). The plot seemed interesting enough when I added it to my Classics Challenge list. Which I feel has been a major fail, by the way. I can't count on one hand how many of the thirteen books I've enjoyed.
Regardless, "Jamaica Inn" was not my cup of tea. And I'm not a picky tea drinker--for the most part.
Jamaica Inn is a dark book.
Okay, in that sentence book = first five chapters.
But still.
The book begins with the main character, Mary's, mother dying after a six month illness. Since her father passed away years before, she's left an orphan. Off she goes to live with her aunt at a remote lodging-house called Jamaica Inn.
Mary remembered her aunt as a jovial woman fond of frivolities.
That was before her aunt married an abusive, crazy, ape-like man. Now she's skittering creature afraid of everything. Mary finds herself trapped in this drafty old inn with a terrifying Uncle.
The one redeeming quality is Mary's attitude. She takes everything in stride, isn't entirely cowed by Uncle Joss, and takes to exploring the moors.
I'm not sure this is going to be a book I'm going to finish. It's hard to describe, but there's something missing in the writing style. Don't get me wrong, there are moments of great prose and the characters are real enough, but the story itself isn't engaging.
Then again, who knows? Maybe come October 31st I'll be reporting that I loved "Jamaica Inn," just like I did with "Gone With the Wind."
"I have no talent for making new friends, but oh such genius for fidelity to old ones." ~ Daphne du Maurier
Our classical author for the month of October is Daphne du Maurier, a famous English author. Daphne was the daughter of a well-known actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and actress Muriel Beaumont. Her first novel, The Loving Spirit, was published at the age of twenty-four.
The novel Daphne is most remembered for is Rebecca, published in 1938. It sold three million copies between 1938 and 1965 and has never gone out of print. Rebecca, as well as other of Daphne's novels, have been adapted into film including this month's read, Jamaica Inn.
People coined Daphne a "romantic novelist"--a title that she despised. Which is understandable, since none of her stories had traditional happy endings.
Daphne died at the age of eight-one in 1989. She was succeeded by three children, as well has her literary works: short stories, novels, plays, and film.
Writerly Things to Learn from Daphne du Maurier:
1. Use your connections. Coming from a celebrity family, Daphne ran in elite circles. Using her mother's magazine, Bystander, she published her very first short stories. Her literary career boomed from that point onward.
2. Be careful of plagiarism. Daphne was accused of plagiarism in two of her works: Rebecca and The Birds. While it didn't hurt Rebecca's sales, it didn't help Daphne's reputation. If you're dubious about whether you're copying someone else's idea. Stick to the safe side of the street and write something else.
