Customer Reviews

The Building of Jalna

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I read all those books for the first time when I was 9, it was pretty young but I loved it, and now, I'm 18 and I read it millions of time I still love it... Eden, Piers, Finch, Wake are like my brothers, Mooey, Nook, Adeline and the others my nephews. So good to enter in the Whiteoak family when you're feelling a bit lonely! Just read it!

I have read (and actually own) all of the Jalna books, and they are easily the most interesting novels of their type. They beautifully illustrate the ups and downs of belonging to a large family of extremely individual characters. If the plotlines become a little soapy at times, they are rescued by the author's sense of humor and obvious affection for her subject. Yes, there was a movie--the 1935 Jalna--but it was a pretty wretched adaptation of the book of the same name. I have yet to arrange to see the Canadian television series, but I'm told it was pretty awful, too; there was also a French TV series, and from the synopsis I've read on the France 2 Web site, it was a radical departure from the books, too. You can still buy the books used; just type "Jalna" or "Mazo de la Roche" into any Web search engine and you'll turn up hundreds. I also see them in a lot of used book stores. And most libraries have a couple of copies. The best thing about them is that you can recommend them to a young teenager or an elderly aunt without embarrassment; there are some sexy scenes, but the author draws a curtain of discretion early in the proceedings and picks up the action the next morning.

This series has been with me in spirit since I was a young impressionable girl. I would love to find these books again for my daughters.

Like you Tim I read these books when I was young and loved them. They were published in French in France and readily available here in Québec. I've been looking for them in English for quite some time for a reread, but no luck. I've just started rereading them in French. And by the way Radio-Canada turned them into a television series last year. So you were right, they are good material for TV. I wish some printer would reissue them in the original text...

I read all of her books as a child. I am suprised that they are less well read now. But what is more suprising is that i recollect seeing them in french and sold in french supermarkets about 15 years ago. Is this because of the quebec influence ?? They really could do with being turned in to a television series. Also there was meant to be a film called Jalna - does anyone know anything about that. Tim Armstrong

I just finished reading this Jalna book,reread I should say after having read it when I was a teenager. I enjoyed it as must this time . I think I have read all the Jalna books when young,now I am interested in the author & can find no information on her,Is there a biography anywhere about Mazo DeLa Roche? You can find a long long list of the Jalna books on alibra.com.

one of the most memorable books i have rea

one of the most memorable books i have rea