My friend suggested that I read this book. I wasn't counting on it being anything special but wanted to read it to please my friend. I read the book...........WOW! I was so transfixed, my mind was constantly buzzing with anxcity for Mary, fear of Joss and wonder for the next page. These are just a few of words that describe Jamaica Inn: thrilling, unpredictable, fantastic, drastic, fast, flowing, tense, obscene, moving, amazing, open, striking, descriptive, startling, action, exciting, horriffic, pursuing, dramatic, different, changing and enticing.
In Jamaca Inn you can live with the characters, you are part of the book, and you feel for the characters. The book changes mood so easily. A must read.

I read this book because I enjoyed Rebecca and liked the gothic feel of this novel, and it was successful in creating that classic gothic atmosphere. However, somebody has to say something about the completely unbelievable romance side of the book. It cheapened the entire story and just about ruined the book for me. Mary Yellan is first presented as a strong character, one who can stand up to her abusive uncle where her aunt has caved in. And then we are supposed to believe that she falls head over heels in love with her uncle's brother, whom we are told is merely a younger version of her uncle. He was a repulsive character and it was not at all believable that Mary would find anything in him to be attracted to. The whole idea turned what was otherwise a suspenseful gothic mystery into a cliched bodice-ripper. It was almost like reading two different novels in one. Why would a character like Mary degrade herself in this way and end up becoming just like her weak Aunt Patience who follows her husband around like a whipped dog? Besides making me roll my eyes constantly as I was reading and wonder what kind of idiot would fall for that kind of man, this aspect of the book sends a very bad message to women.

I went to the public library once to get an english book. wen I asked the librarien if she could recommend me a book she immediatly said jamaica Inn. And she just kept on talking about how great the book is.

Well now i have read it myself and i really can say that the librarien was right. It is a beautiful story about a girl who lost her parents and goes to live with her aunt and her husband.
she discovers the criminal activities of her uncle and tries to stop him.

I am from holland so i am used to other kind of books. But i have to say that jamaica inn has opened my eye for english literature.
the story is beatiful and what i liked most is the struggle of mary during the book because her parents died and she has to do it all by herself.
An other great thing about the book is that things happen that i did not expect like the fact that Francis Davey turns out to be the leader of the gang.
I found it great reading this book.

The poetic language and tasteful suspense makes Jamaica Inn and Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier two of my favorite books. Jamaica Inn is a brilliant story, made even more mysterious by Tori Amos' song of the same name. It was her song about the book that made me seek out books by DuMaurier and once again Tori is genius. This was one of the best books I have ever read. Both the book and the song reveal the complexities and horrors of human behavior. DuMaurier also has a rich knowledge of the English countryside and uses fantastic imagery to transport the reader to the moors of Southern England.

Good plot, characters and a great depiction of the Cornish coast give this novel a real boost. Not as good as Rebecca, but recommended, nonetheless.