Phoenix Book Reviews would like to thank John for his review
John Van der Kiste lives in Devon. A library assistant, former DJ and musician, he has written over twenty books, mostly historical or musical biographies, and reviewed records and books for national and local journals and fanzines.
'Jamaica Inn', Daphne du Maurier's fourth novel, was first published in 1936. Set in Cornwall in the early 19th century, its focal point is an infamous hostelry on the road between Bodmin and Launceston. It becomes the home of Mary Yellan, a woman of 23 who has just lost her mother after a long debilitating illness and has to leave her birthplace, the tranquil village of Helford. Her Aunt Patience, whom she has not seen for several years, is the only living relative of whom she knows. Patience has married Joss Merlyn, the landlord of Jamaica Inn.
As she makes her way there under a cheerless November sky, it becomes apparent from the remarks of the coach driver that there is something not quite right about her destination. When she arrives and sets eyes on her listless, downtrodden aunt and her uncouth drunken sot of an uncle, she realises that she is in for a rough ride. She has barely arrived before he warns her fiercely that he is master in his own house, but as long as she does what she is told without opening her mouth, no harm will befall her. The moment she opens her mouth, he says, "I'll break you until you eat out of my hand the same as your aunt yonder."
In return for being given a roof over her head, she will be expected to serve his friends in the bar. Sometimes late at night, he tells her, she will hear wheels on the road, footsteps in the yard, and voices beneath her window - but she is to stay in bed and cover her head with the blankets.
Despite her sheltered upbringing, Mary has enough commonsense to realise what her uncle is up to, or at least make a well-informed guess. His disreputable associates come to the inn and make themselves at home before going about their unlawful business. Jamaica Inn is clearly the centre of a smuggling network. When the local magistrate, Mr Bassat, comes to search the premises, it becomes clear that it is only a matter of time before the forces of law and order will put a stop to it. Joss's younger brother Jem also makes an uninvited appearance. A horse-thief, he seems almost as disreputable himself on first acquaintance, but is not without a certain rough-hewn charm. Nor is the initially disconcerting but apparently helpful and friendly Francis Davey, the vicar of Altarnun, to whom she unburdens herself after a chance encounter.
Things are seldom what they seem, and at length Mary is determined to do what she can to assist the law. But first she is forced to go on a wrecking party to the coast with Joss and his cronies. At which point there is a twist in the tale...
'Jamaica Inn' is part adventure story, inspired by tales such as Stevenson's 'Treasure Island', part Gothic tale and a Cornish version of the Brontės' 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Jane Eyre', with its portrayal of Bodmin Moor's howling winds and stark isolation as a backdrop for a story of drunkenness, theft, murder and madness, not to mention the smuggling and wrecking. It is a powerful tale in its descriptions of the area and portrayal of character that has never dated.
Perhaps I should add that I was inspired to read the book after being taken to visit Bodmin Moor and Jamaica Inn itself. No longer a den of iniquity, it is now a large thriving hotel, restaurant and conference centre, with facilities which include a museum of smuggling, Daphne du Maurier memorabilia, waxwork and audio presentation based around the novel, and not surprisingly a book and gift shop.
Even so, you don't have to go there first to be enthralled by the story.
Publisher: Virago
ISBN: 1844080390
Price: £6.99 /$6.99 p/b
Date Reviewed: May 2003
John's Rating: 5/5
