1927. From Canadian author de la Roche, comes the popular Jalna saga. The series, consisting of 16 volumes, made her a popular novelist. The story covers 100 years of the wealthy Whiteoak family history, and it is partly based on de la Roche's own experiences. The central characters are Adeline Whiteoak, his grandson Eden and his half-brother Renny, his wife Alayne with a number of spouses, ex-spouses, and spouses-to-be. The seventh book in the series, Jalna begins: Wakefield Whiteoak ran on and on, faster and faster, till he could run no farther. He did not know why he had suddenly increased his speed. He did not even know why he ran. When, out of breath, he threw himself face down on the new spring sod of the meadow, he completely forget that he had been running at all, and lay, his cheek pressed against the tender grass, his heart thudding against his ribs, without a thought in his head. He was no more happy or unhappy than the April wind that raced across his body or the young grass that quivered with life beneath it. He was simply alive, young, and pressed by the need of violent exertion. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.
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Book Description
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From the Inside Flap
The international bestselling story of the Whiteoaks, the unforgettable southern Ontario family who live in a red-brick house called Jalna.
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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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome to "Jalna",
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?
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This should be a series on HBO,
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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.
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