JAMAICA INN | DAPHNE DU MAURIER | BOOK REVIEW | AUGUST 2017

JAMAICA INN BOOK REVIEW

Daphne Du Maurier was an author that I had heard a lot about, but never had the chance of picking up one of her novels. I found an old cloth bound edition of Jamaica Inn at the book section, when at a National Trust establishment. My expectation of the novel was that it was quite gothic, as most novels by her are. The main character of Mary Yellan, was everything that you expect from a young girl in that period, she is naive and innocent and everyone around her takes advantage of her vulnerability, especially the men. 

I like novels that take in to detail the description of the surroundings and the weather, especially with the Gothic theme, surrounded with the moors that are often surrounded with mist and fog. The main part of the novel is set in autumn and winter, reflecting the overall mood and atmosphere of the novel. There are three male characters that contrast Mary and her naivety; Jem Merlyn, Joss Merlyn and the Vicar at Altarnun. As a reader, you'd normally trust in the religious figure that is Francis, the vicar at Altarnun but he is whole answer for the abnormal mishap that Mary is witnessing whilst living in Jamaica Inn. Du Maurier represents this character as a juxtaposition to what you expect from him as his role is a Vicar, and a misjudgement from Mary. 

The overall tension of the novel is shown through the anticipation of what's going to happen next, which in other novel, more contemporary novels can be predictable, but because of the individual theme and nature of Jamaica Inn makes it more interesting and intriguing to the reader. Even though another character of Jem Merlyn is seen overly as a character you don't want the young Mary to get involved with, he's such a contrast from his brother, Joss who treats her poorly and doesn't really know how to look after himself, and just exerts violence at any possible moment; hence the fact her Aunt Patience is reduced to a nervous wreck within her own home. The novel highlights the treatment of people and their relationships, and the trust you put in people can be misjudged and consequence in betrayal. 

Du Maurier focuses of the betrayal between characters and the innocence of Mary Yellan, with the contrasting use of the moors and Mary's home that detects the abnormality of emotion and nature that she senses whilst being at Jamaica Inn. Again, it's another classic that I have thoroughly enjoyed, if you like the Gothic style and the use of the nature and country to provide the pathetic fallacy of the novel, whilst being in the 19th century, definitely take the time to read this.