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Jalna
 
 

Jalna [Hardcover]

Mazo De LA Roche
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Hardcover, Large Print --  
Hardcover, June 1927 --  
Paperback CDN $15.67  
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Product Description

Book Description

First published in 1927, this international bestseller is now back in print. Jalna is the first book in the popular series about a Canadian family named Whiteoak, who live in southern Ontario in a red-brick house called Jalna. In Jalna, the unforgettable family makes its first appearance. Two grandsons cause tumult when they bring their brides to live at Jalna, and Grandmother Adeline celebrates her 100th birthday. This is book 7 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Whiteoaks of Jalna.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

In 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from the American magazine Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller. In 1929, the sequel Whiteoaks also went to the top of bestseller lists. Mazo went on to publish 16 novels in the popular series about a Canadian family named Whiteoak, living in a house called Jalna. Her success allowed her to travel the world and to live in a mansion near Windsor Castle. Mazo created unforgettable characters who come to life for her readers, but she was secretive about her own life and tried to escape the public attention her fame brought.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars A truce classic, Feb 23 2012
By 
A. Liboiron - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Jalna (Paperback)
I stumbled across a dusty book at the library years ago called The Building of Jalna. After reading only a few pages I was already hunting for the rest of the series. Such memorable characters. I am so glad this series has come back into print for a new generation.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Whiteoaks of Jalna, Mar 25 2007
By 
E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Jalna (Paperback)
And you thought YOUR family was hard to live with. In "Jalna," first of the Whiteoak Chronicles series, Canadian author Mazo de la Roche introduces readers to the passionate, rebellious Whiteoak family. The plot twists sometimes become too soap-operaish, but at least "Jalna" is fun.

The mansion of Jalna has an array of uncles, brothers, and a sister, all presided over by semi-senile Grandmother. And one day, sharp-tongued Piers shocks all of his relatives -- he marries pretty, delicate Pheasant, who is the illegitimate daughter of his sister Meg's ex-lover (got that?), much to the horror of his family and bratty Meg. What's more, budding poet Eden falls in love with a pretty fan from Brooklyn, Alayne, and marries her.

Neither marriage is immediately accepted, although Grandmother somewhat approves of Alayne because she thinks the girl has money. But things become more complicated when Alayne falls in love with her earthy brother-in-law Renny, and Pheasant falls in love with sensitive Eden. When Eden and Pheasant are overheard together, the family is thrown into turmoil...

Mazo de la Roche wrote many books about the Whiteoak family, but this novel lays the groundwork, with all the characters that the sequels and prequels branch out from. Taken alone, it's an entertaining dramatic read, although the semi-incestuous attractions and affairs start to get away from de la Roche as the book continues.

de la Roche had a robust writing style, with plenty of fights, sometimes violence, mild comedy and repressed sexual tension. Her dialogue does sometimes go over the top, but she gets across the stifling effects that Jalna and its inhabitants have on Alayne and Pheasant, as well as the devastating long-term effects that an illicit affair can have.

The Whiteoak family comes across as robust and passionate, whether "gentleman farmers" or artists, such as the intense, neurotic finch or the mockingly lovely Eden. The only exceptions are the women -- Meg is a whiny self-absorbed brat, and Grandmother is a bit senile. The girls who marry into the family -- Pheasant and Alayne -- are far more likable.

"Jalna" sometimes borders on a family soap opera, but Mazo de la Roche keeps the tense, dramatic plot from ever getting dull -- wouldn't it be great if a TV show were based on this?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to "Jalna", Mar 5 2005
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Jalna (Paperback)
And you thought YOUR family was hard to live with. In "Jalna," first of the Whiteoak Chronicles series, Canadian author Mazo de la Roche introduces readers to the passionate, rebellious Whiteoak family. The plot twists sometimes become too soap-operaish, but at least "Jalna" is fun.

The mansion of Jalna has an array of uncles, brothers, and a sister, all presided over by semi-senile Grandmother. And one day, sharp-tongued Piers shocks all of his relatives -- he marries pretty, delicate Pheasant, who is the illegitimate daughter of his sister Meg's ex-lover (got that?), much to the horror of his family and bratty Meg. What's more, budding poet Eden falls in love with a pretty fan from Brooklyn, Alayne, and marries her.

Neither marriage is immediately accepted, although Grandmother somewhat approves of Alayne because she thinks the girl has money. But things become more complicated when Alayne falls in love with her earthy brother-in-law Renny, and Pheasant falls in love with sensitive Eden. When Eden and Pheasant are overheard together, the family is thrown into turmoil...

Mazo de la Roche wrote many books about the Whiteoak family, but this novel lays the groundwork, with all the characters that the sequels and prequels branch out from. Taken alone, it's an entertaining dramatic read, although the semi-incestuous attractions and affairs start to get away from de la Roche as the book continues.

de la Roche had a robust writing style, with plenty of fights, sometimes violence, mild comedy and repressed sexual tension. Her dialogue does sometimes go over the top, but she gets across the stifling effects that Jalna and its inhabitants have on Alayne and Pheasant, as well as the devastating long-term effects that an illicit affair can have.

The Whiteoak family comes across as robust and passionate, whether "gentleman farmers" or artists, such as the intense, neurotic finch or the mockingly lovely Eden. The only exceptions are the women -- Meg is a whiny self-absorbed brat, and Grandmother is a bit senile. The girls who marry into the family -- Pheasant and Alayne -- are far more likable.

"Jalna" sometimes borders on a family soap opera, but Mazo de la Roche keeps the tense, dramatic plot from ever getting dull -- wouldn't it be great if a TV show were based on this?

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This should be a series on HBO, Jan 24 2007
By lisatheratgirl "lisatheratgirl" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Jalna (Paperback)
Canadian author Mazo de la Roche wrote 16 novels about Jalna, the Ontario estate of the Whiteoak family. This is the first book, but it actually starts in the middle, with three generations living. Subsequent books deal with both past and future events; this one is set in the 1920s. It is one of the best books I have ever read (first time 40 years ago). At the center is Grandmother, one hundred years old and as alert as anyone in the family. The description is beautiful (if you've seen Ontario, you'll be able to picture it all) but doesn't get in the way of the plot. With marriages, affairs, divorces and birthdays from the oldest to the youngest, there is never a dull moment. Many of these books are out of print in the U.S. You may need to get a used copy or buy one from amazon canada, which I've just done with the second book. I can't get enough of the Whiteoaks.
 Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars 
 
 
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