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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

J is for Jamaica Inn


I had five books on my short list for this week's A-Z Wednesday Challenge: one of my favourite Canadian novels, Margaret Laurence's A Jest of God, Peter Benchley's Jaws, and the three "joys", Amy Tan's The Joy Luck ClubJoy of Cooking and The Joy of Sex. Wondering if I'd overlooked a book or two, I browsed around the Toronto Public Library's web site. There I saw it. Jamaica Inn. This classic by Daphne du Maurier should definitely make my short list, I thought.

Then it dawned on me. I had no idea if I had read this book or not. Still don't. Here's the plot summary according to the library: "The coachman tried to warn her away from the ruined, forbidding place on the rainswept Cornish coast. But young Mary Yellan chose instead to honor her mother's dying request that she join her frightened Aunt Patience and huge, hulking Uncle Joss Merlyn at Jamaica Inn. From her first glimpse on that raw November eve, she could sense the inn's dark power. But never did Mary dream that she would become hopelessly ensnared in the vile, villainous schemes being hatched within its crumbling walls -- or that a handsome, mysterious stranger would so incite her passions ... tempting her to love a man whom she dares not trust."

This sounds soooo familiar. And it makes me curious. Here's a book I might have read, but I'm not sure. Has this ever happened to you?

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Well it sounds intersting enough, but although I haven't seen the movie (and don't have the desire to) I might read it. I would have to be in the mood though. Thanks for the suggestion.

Unknown said...

I almost chose the joy luck club as well... I'm sure I read Jamaica Inn but a very long time ago.

Here's mine

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I'll be reading a book and half way through it something jars my memory that I've already read it.

Thanks for playing!

Kristen said...

du Maurier is a little scary for my tastes but you've gotta love the period cover on this one!

Irene said...

I know I've read this, I've started to put my initials in the corner on the inside, since I use the same library all the time it sometimes works. Other times I start reading it again.

Nise' said...

Have not read this one, but have read Jaws, Joy Luck Club and Joy of Cooking.

gautami tripathy said...

How did I forget this book? One great read!

Here is my Wondrous Words Wednesdays post.

Kill Word Verification

Susan Williamson said...

Just looking at the cover took me back to the days of my childhood when I used to go into my grandmother's bedroom and rummage around under her bed looking for the True Detective mags and "adult" novels she'd hidden there. I've never read Jamaica Inn--at least I don't think I have--but I agree there's something familiar about it, so now I'll have to read it.

Anonymous said...

I just love Daphne Du Maurier!

Book Bird Dog said...

That's me - anonymous, voicing my love for Daphne du M's books. I've read some of them over and over, just like Mary Stewart's books.

Misfit said...

Any chance you know the publisher and date of publication? I'd love to get that up on Goodreads to share. If you do, please email to misfitandmom at earthlink.net

Thank you.

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