Fantastic reading by the wonderful Kathryn Drysdale of this classic gothic story of Jamaica Inn. A dark, mysterious and terrifying tale, this audiobook really brings it to life in the way it deserves, I understood the dynamics between Mary and her aunt and uncle better than ever. It also captures the trepidation and fear around Jamaica Inn incredibly well. Thoroughly recommend.

In my opinion, du Maurier is seriously underrated as an author. She’s written so many classics as well as numerous shorts and other less well known titles, but all have merit. I recently watched the Hitchcock version of this story starring Charles Laughton, who hams up his role way beyond the original character. It’s still brilliant, but revisiting the narrative has been an absolute pleasure.

It’s a rollicking tale but somehow it withstands the test of time in both written style and setting. The themes are universal and there’s such a range of convincing characters that come to life with every word. At first, I thought the narration wasn’t quite suited, but the voices are just outstanding. It really added to the listening experience with every character clear and defined. Simply brilliant all round and one of my best listens this year.

🎧4⭐️

I had the audiobook version of this classic read by Kathryn Drysdale who does a good job. This is my first delve into this author’s work.

Mary promised her dying mother that she would go to stay with her Aunt Patience and Uncle Joss at Jamaica Inn. On arrival the coachman warned her away from the Inn.

The very descriptive narrative common of the classics making the weather and the location a character adding to the doom and foreboding atmosphere. It gives the reader a good idea of life in the era, The language used draws the reader into the time and setting.
A dark story encompassing several tropes. It’s not all doom and gloom, there’s a lighter element too.

This was really good! It hooked me right from the beginning and didn’t let go.
Having previously enjoyed Rebecca, and The Birds by Daphne du Maurier, I jumped at the chance to listen to this when I saw it on NetGalley recently. It’s been on my audiobook TBR for ages, but I wasn’t so keen on the different versions available. This audiobook is superb and immediately transported me to 19th Century Cornwall.
I liked Mary Yelland, she was a feisty independent 23 year old woman, who following the death of her mother is sent to live with an Aunt she doesn’t recognise, and a violent drunkard Uncle, who’s the landlord of the notorious Jamaica Inn. Add to this the mysterious wagons arriving at night, and a terrified Aunt who won’t talk about what’s going on, it was a very atmospheric book, full of all the twists and turns of a modern thriller, even though it was first published in 1935.
The landscape of the Cornish moors felt like a sinister character in the story. Daphne du Maurier’s descriptions were vivid, especially when detailing the bleak marshland and the fog in which people could disappear without a trace.
Kathryn Drysdale, a new-to-me narrator, was so amazing, that at times I felt like I was listening to multiple narrators, instead of just one person.
Highly recommended if you want to discover Daphne du Maurier’s other books, particularly on audio.