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Jalna #1
Les Jalna - tome 1
La saga de la famille Whiteoak en 16 romans. Depuis le mariage de Philippe et d'Adeline au milieu du XIXe siècle jusqu'au centenaire de Jalna, quatre générations se succèdent dans l'inoubliable domaine. Un best-seller mondial depuis les années 1930. Les Jalna *
La naissance de Jalna, Matins à Jalna, Mary Wakefield, Jeunesse de Renny
" Mazo De la Roche a créé un microcosme étourdissant de vie, des personnages (Adeline, Renny, Finch et les autres) inoubliables, et bien que ce monument littéraire soit ignoré par la plupart de nos dictionnaires, elle mérite bien de figurer parmi les plus grands écrivains de son pays. " Janet Erié
En seize romans, la vie de la famille Whiteoak à travers quatre générations, depuis le mariage du capitaine Philippe Whiteoak et d'Adeline Court au milieu du XIXe siècle jusqu'au centenaire de leur bien-aimé domaine de Jalna. Un best-seller mondial depuis les années 1930.
Préface de Janet Erié
La naissance de Jalna, Matins à Jalna, Mary Wakefield, Jeunesse de Renny
" Mazo De la Roche a créé un microcosme étourdissant de vie, des personnages (Adeline, Renny, Finch et les autres) inoubliables, et bien que ce monument littéraire soit ignoré par la plupart de nos dictionnaires, elle mérite bien de figurer parmi les plus grands écrivains de son pays. " Janet Erié
En seize romans, la vie de la famille Whiteoak à travers quatre générations, depuis le mariage du capitaine Philippe Whiteoak et d'Adeline Court au milieu du XIXe siècle jusqu'au centenaire de leur bien-aimé domaine de Jalna. Un best-seller mondial depuis les années 1930.
Préface de Janet Erié
1031 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1944
78 people are currently reading
1128 people want to read
About the author
Mazo de la Roche
344 books59 followersMazo de la Roche, born Mazo Louise Roche, was the author of the Jalna novels, one of the most popular series of books of her time.
The Jalna series consists of sixteen novels that tell the story of the Canadian Whiteoak family from 1854 to 1954, although each of the novels can also be enjoyed as an independent story. In the world of the Whiteoaks, as in real life, people live and die, find success and fall to ruin. For the Whiteoaks, there remains something solid and unchanging in the midst of life's transience--the manor house and its rich surrounding farmland known as "Jalna." The author, Mazo de la Roche, gave the members of her fictitious family names from gravestones in Ontario's New Market cemetery, and the story itself balances somewhere between fact and fiction. Critics think events in the novels reflect de la Roche's dreams, moods, and life experiences. As the daughter of a traveling businessman, she may have seen the Jalna estate as the roots she never had, while the character Finch, from Finch's Fortune, is thought to be a reflection of herself.
The Jalna series consists of sixteen novels that tell the story of the Canadian Whiteoak family from 1854 to 1954, although each of the novels can also be enjoyed as an independent story. In the world of the Whiteoaks, as in real life, people live and die, find success and fall to ruin. For the Whiteoaks, there remains something solid and unchanging in the midst of life's transience--the manor house and its rich surrounding farmland known as "Jalna." The author, Mazo de la Roche, gave the members of her fictitious family names from gravestones in Ontario's New Market cemetery, and the story itself balances somewhere between fact and fiction. Critics think events in the novels reflect de la Roche's dreams, moods, and life experiences. As the daughter of a traveling businessman, she may have seen the Jalna estate as the roots she never had, while the character Finch, from Finch's Fortune, is thought to be a reflection of herself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 17, 2018
Ovo je divan serijal od 16 naslova kanadske autorke koja se već smatra klasikom u Kanadi... Čitala sam je u tinejdžerskom uzrastu i bilo mi je veoma zabavno... Prosto nisam mogla da dočekam da u British Council-u vrate s čitanja sledeći nastavak... Nažalost, nikada nije prevedena na srpski ili hrvatski...
August 15, 2015
I'll bet every public librarian of my era remembers the shelf full of books in the Jalna series. (They're still available in my library system; not at my library but scattered throughout with a title here and there.) That's what made us curious to read this first title chronologically (but published 20+ years into the series). It's a delightful read for anyone who enjoys old-fashioned family sagas. The heroine echoes Scarlet O'Hara in many ways, beautiful but willful, but her husband adores her. The leave the army in India, stay in UK with families, and then make a harrowing voyage to the New World. They settle in Ontario, British Canada then certainly, and build the house that is the center of action for the series. Heartwarming, satisfying, easy reading. It reminded me of Norah Lofts Suffolk trilogy, centered on the house and those who lived in it, starting with The Town House. It's likely a style that won't please today's readers, but sometimes it's lovely to dip back into another time.
June 7, 2022
Scriitoarea Mazo de la Roche a castigat premii si faima internationala datorita romanelor din seria Jalna care au devenit bestsellere all-time.
Romanul de fata este primul din seria Jalna si a aparut in 1944 urmarind destinul familiei Whiteoak.
Capitanul Philip Whiteoak si frumoasa lui sotie Adeline, impreuna cu prietenii lor, sunt figurile centrale ale cartii. Dupa o serie de mutari din India si Anglia, traversand oceanul, se stabilesc in Canada pe malul lacului Ontario si-si intemeiaza caminul ce va purta numele de "Jalna".
Actiunea debuteaza cu frumoasa Adeline care are 22 de ani si care pleaca in Indii in orasul Jalna unde il intalneste pe ofiterul de familie buna, cu 10 ani mai mare ca ea, pe numele sau Philip. Cei doi se casatoresc si curand dupa nunta ea ramane insarcinata iar sanatatea ei se subrezeste. Decid astfel sa se mute in Canada impreuna cu fetita lor.
Ne sunt apoi descrise greutatile prin care protagonistii trec, traversand oceanul cu vaporul, apoi instalarea in casa unchiului pe care Philip a mostenit-o, integrarea in societatea din Quebec, nasterea fiului lor Nicholas si intr-un final mutarea pe malul lacului Ontario, unde-si vor intemeia proprietatea "Jalna". Luam parte dupa aceea la aventurile alaturi de prietenii lor Wilmott, capitanul Vaughan si sotia lui, doctorul Ramsay si multi altii.
Romanul reprezinta o lectura agreabila, mai ales pentru doamne. Adeline este foarte impulsiva, rasfatata, directa in vorbire, adesea uitand de buna crestere pe care statutul sau de lady il impune si uneori poate deveni enervanta. De asemenea nu mi-a placut ca nu prea se ocupa de copii si mi s-a parut ca nu este pregatita pentru rolul de mama. Philip pe de alta parte este un inger al rabdarii in ceea ce o priveste, este matur si un adevarat gentleman pe care doamnele il vor placea.
In continuare am retinut la pagina 221 din ce se compunea imbracamintea unei lady in acea perioada:
"Isi trasese camasa de panza, pantalonii garnisiti cu dantela fina, ciorapii de matase cu bagheta tricotati de mana, juponul de flanel alb, juponul de batist plisat fin si rochia grena cu volane brodate cu velur rosu; isi puse capa care-i acoperea mansetele de batist si dantela, si se inalta pe papucii indieni cu broderii sclipitoare."
Concluzionam ca nu era sarcina usoara nici sa te imbraci nici sa te dezbraci in acea perioada. :)
In incheiere am selectat mai multe citate interesante pe care le atasez aici:
"Dar, mai presus de orice gusta din plin puterea pe care el o avea asupra ei, fermitatea sa englezeasca, misterul tacerilor sale pe care ea, cu supletea ei celtica, trebuia sa le patrunda pentru a-l regasi si a-l readuce la ea."
"Parea foarte naturala iar pasiunea pentru sotul ei, dorinta de a i se supune, chiar daca prin feminitatea ei era cea care triumfa, facea ca cel mai mic gest al ei sau privire sa devina un simbol al acestei iubiri."
"Mama m-a invatat sa ma feresc de indieni, chinezi si francezi; nu mi-a spus nimic de irlandezi."
"Am venit aici ca sa realizez ceva util, nu-i asa? Un barbat nu poate taia frunza la caini cat e ziua de mare."
"Este o moda care-mi place, declara acesta; dupa parerea mea nu exista maniere prea rafinate."
"... putin ii pasa daca o femeie tace sau vorbeste. El cunoaste arta casatoriei."
"Nefericirea ta este ca esti prea fericit. Daca ai suferi, daca ai fi bolnav ca mine, te-ai bucura sa poti sta linistit."
Romanul de fata este primul din seria Jalna si a aparut in 1944 urmarind destinul familiei Whiteoak.
Capitanul Philip Whiteoak si frumoasa lui sotie Adeline, impreuna cu prietenii lor, sunt figurile centrale ale cartii. Dupa o serie de mutari din India si Anglia, traversand oceanul, se stabilesc in Canada pe malul lacului Ontario si-si intemeiaza caminul ce va purta numele de "Jalna".
Actiunea debuteaza cu frumoasa Adeline care are 22 de ani si care pleaca in Indii in orasul Jalna unde il intalneste pe ofiterul de familie buna, cu 10 ani mai mare ca ea, pe numele sau Philip. Cei doi se casatoresc si curand dupa nunta ea ramane insarcinata iar sanatatea ei se subrezeste. Decid astfel sa se mute in Canada impreuna cu fetita lor.
Ne sunt apoi descrise greutatile prin care protagonistii trec, traversand oceanul cu vaporul, apoi instalarea in casa unchiului pe care Philip a mostenit-o, integrarea in societatea din Quebec, nasterea fiului lor Nicholas si intr-un final mutarea pe malul lacului Ontario, unde-si vor intemeia proprietatea "Jalna". Luam parte dupa aceea la aventurile alaturi de prietenii lor Wilmott, capitanul Vaughan si sotia lui, doctorul Ramsay si multi altii.
Romanul reprezinta o lectura agreabila, mai ales pentru doamne. Adeline este foarte impulsiva, rasfatata, directa in vorbire, adesea uitand de buna crestere pe care statutul sau de lady il impune si uneori poate deveni enervanta. De asemenea nu mi-a placut ca nu prea se ocupa de copii si mi s-a parut ca nu este pregatita pentru rolul de mama. Philip pe de alta parte este un inger al rabdarii in ceea ce o priveste, este matur si un adevarat gentleman pe care doamnele il vor placea.
In continuare am retinut la pagina 221 din ce se compunea imbracamintea unei lady in acea perioada:
"Isi trasese camasa de panza, pantalonii garnisiti cu dantela fina, ciorapii de matase cu bagheta tricotati de mana, juponul de flanel alb, juponul de batist plisat fin si rochia grena cu volane brodate cu velur rosu; isi puse capa care-i acoperea mansetele de batist si dantela, si se inalta pe papucii indieni cu broderii sclipitoare."
Concluzionam ca nu era sarcina usoara nici sa te imbraci nici sa te dezbraci in acea perioada. :)
In incheiere am selectat mai multe citate interesante pe care le atasez aici:
"Dar, mai presus de orice gusta din plin puterea pe care el o avea asupra ei, fermitatea sa englezeasca, misterul tacerilor sale pe care ea, cu supletea ei celtica, trebuia sa le patrunda pentru a-l regasi si a-l readuce la ea."
"Parea foarte naturala iar pasiunea pentru sotul ei, dorinta de a i se supune, chiar daca prin feminitatea ei era cea care triumfa, facea ca cel mai mic gest al ei sau privire sa devina un simbol al acestei iubiri."
"Mama m-a invatat sa ma feresc de indieni, chinezi si francezi; nu mi-a spus nimic de irlandezi."
"Am venit aici ca sa realizez ceva util, nu-i asa? Un barbat nu poate taia frunza la caini cat e ziua de mare."
"Este o moda care-mi place, declara acesta; dupa parerea mea nu exista maniere prea rafinate."
"... putin ii pasa daca o femeie tace sau vorbeste. El cunoaste arta casatoriei."
"Nefericirea ta este ca esti prea fericit. Daca ai suferi, daca ai fi bolnav ca mine, te-ai bucura sa poti sta linistit."
November 18, 2019
Oh this was jolly! Melodrama on the ocean? Sure. But far, far more than just a travel and relocation family saga type "emigrating to North America" norm.
Adeline and Philip. But also their shipboard companions, friends and new associates in these dire adventures of every sort! An old fashioned all over the interactions of individuals in new, panoramic wildness, dangerous, glorious and natural world rich situations.
For me, she is quite the brat. Knowing her in old age- her extreme youth and young motherhood years don't find her AT ALL any more easy going. Tending to optimism? Yes. But also swinging wildly like a loose cannon to every direction an immediate feeling soar or dip might take. Philip is a gem.
Jalna's building is a superior tale.
I definitely will read a few of the years for Adeline's children growing up. Jalna still extremely young and receiving (FOR SURE) some permanent scars. IMHO, it seems to me that Adeline barely tolerates her own kids for more than an hour or two a day.
I laughed out loud a few times in this one- for a realization after 2/3rds through. She gives more time to Wilmot or ratting spiels (high drama on horses being the peak) with Daisy than she does in kid observations or nanny connect hours. What especially made this one so intriguing was her "loyalties" scale so much in constant exhibit. Those brothers and parents come to visit? She likes them with far more tears and sighs when they are AT a distance. And they aren't the only ones. LOL! Physical freedom searching is interesting here too in this era and placement.
Lovely, lovely natural descriptions. At times they go over the top so much that you feel it's too too. Especially when the author tries to preach hunting irks of hers.
I'm glad I read it AFTER the original Jalna novel of 70 or 75 plus years later.
I can't help thinking about what state an Adeline would find herself in now or in the 20th century while following every emotional whim to its excess of up or down without much, if any, logic or consequence reality in the factors of personal responsibility or physical fallout. She'd either be a criminal mentor of dozens, an early stone monument (James Dean style) or a cop.
Adeline and Philip. But also their shipboard companions, friends and new associates in these dire adventures of every sort! An old fashioned all over the interactions of individuals in new, panoramic wildness, dangerous, glorious and natural world rich situations.
For me, she is quite the brat. Knowing her in old age- her extreme youth and young motherhood years don't find her AT ALL any more easy going. Tending to optimism? Yes. But also swinging wildly like a loose cannon to every direction an immediate feeling soar or dip might take. Philip is a gem.
Jalna's building is a superior tale.
I definitely will read a few of the years for Adeline's children growing up. Jalna still extremely young and receiving (FOR SURE) some permanent scars. IMHO, it seems to me that Adeline barely tolerates her own kids for more than an hour or two a day.
I laughed out loud a few times in this one- for a realization after 2/3rds through. She gives more time to Wilmot or ratting spiels (high drama on horses being the peak) with Daisy than she does in kid observations or nanny connect hours. What especially made this one so intriguing was her "loyalties" scale so much in constant exhibit. Those brothers and parents come to visit? She likes them with far more tears and sighs when they are AT a distance. And they aren't the only ones. LOL! Physical freedom searching is interesting here too in this era and placement.
Lovely, lovely natural descriptions. At times they go over the top so much that you feel it's too too. Especially when the author tries to preach hunting irks of hers.
I'm glad I read it AFTER the original Jalna novel of 70 or 75 plus years later.
I can't help thinking about what state an Adeline would find herself in now or in the 20th century while following every emotional whim to its excess of up or down without much, if any, logic or consequence reality in the factors of personal responsibility or physical fallout. She'd either be a criminal mentor of dozens, an early stone monument (James Dean style) or a cop.
November 22, 2020
Having married Englishman Philip Whiteoak in India, at a military station called Jalna, the stereotypically impulsive Irishwoman Adeline leaves with Philip and their little daughter Augusta 'Gussie' for Canada, where they are to settle on an estate Philip has inherited from an uncle. The Building of Jalna follows Adeline and Philip as they travel to England, Ireland, and then to Quebec and finally to Montreal, en route making friends and enemies with various characters, having a couple of more children, and building a house for themselves: Jalna, named for the place they first met and fell in love.
This was the first book of this series that I read. I hadn't known, when I found this book, that Mazo de la Roche had written this as a prequel after having written a number of books about Adeline and Philip's descendants. The sad bit is, I didn't like The Building of Jalna enough to want to read the other books.
This story meandered too much; there were too many minor episodes that didn't seem to have much connection to the plot, and seemed as if they had been bunged in without much thought. Or at least without de la Roche thinking where she was going to take this. For instance, there's a scene where a man kisses Adeline, all of a sudden, and--well, nothing. Does that develop into something greater, why did he do it: none of it is ever discussed again. There are other episodes like this (Gussie tipping the perambulator over into the ravine is another, or years earlier, throwing her doll overboard, are others) that came across more like "Ooh, this is an anecdote I must put in, never mind if it doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the story".
Worse, I didn't like Adeline, she was just so hot-headed and impulsive, she seemed downright immature.
Lastly, why oh why did de la Roche have to put that blasted parrot into the story? Okay, I have nothing against the parrot, but when you want it to be spouting blasphemies and obscenities in Hindustani (or Hindi, not Hindu, as de la Roche refers to it), you better find some choice insults. Dilkhoosa (which should be dilkusha) and nurmahal just don't cut it.
This was the first book of this series that I read. I hadn't known, when I found this book, that Mazo de la Roche had written this as a prequel after having written a number of books about Adeline and Philip's descendants. The sad bit is, I didn't like The Building of Jalna enough to want to read the other books.
This story meandered too much; there were too many minor episodes that didn't seem to have much connection to the plot, and seemed as if they had been bunged in without much thought. Or at least without de la Roche thinking where she was going to take this. For instance, there's a scene where a man kisses Adeline, all of a sudden, and--well, nothing. Does that develop into something greater, why did he do it: none of it is ever discussed again. There are other episodes like this (Gussie tipping the perambulator over into the ravine is another, or years earlier, throwing her doll overboard, are others) that came across more like "Ooh, this is an anecdote I must put in, never mind if it doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the story".
Worse, I didn't like Adeline, she was just so hot-headed and impulsive, she seemed downright immature.
Lastly, why oh why did de la Roche have to put that blasted parrot into the story? Okay, I have nothing against the parrot, but when you want it to be spouting blasphemies and obscenities in Hindustani (or Hindi, not Hindu, as de la Roche refers to it), you better find some choice insults. Dilkhoosa (which should be dilkusha) and nurmahal just don't cut it.
August 5, 2016
The heroine reminded me of Scarlet O'Hara, beautiful, forceful, spirited and spoiled. While I enjoyed reading this novel I found the writing a bit effusive; the author wrote with such emotionally bold strokes that it tended to make everything that happened seem to be of great import when in the actual flow of the story it wasn't. Not sure if I'll continue to seek out more books in this series or not.
December 10, 2024
seria mă duce cu gândul la comfy cozy books
January 2, 2012
I really enjoyed going back to Jalna. I read this serie when I was still quite young, about 11 years old, because two of my eldest sisters were reading it at the time. But, at the time, I didn't understand everything about the Whiteoaks' life in Canada or about the relationships between the main characters. Now that I'm older, I can appreciate the real value of this story.
What I will remember of it is the freedom that you can feel from page to page: the freedom of this new world, still quite savage and untamed, and the freedom of Adeline, who doesn't want to submit to social standards.
What I will remember of it is the freedom that you can feel from page to page: the freedom of this new world, still quite savage and untamed, and the freedom of Adeline, who doesn't want to submit to social standards.
December 1, 2016
Realistically if I were truly rating this book it might get a 3. I certainly don't want to put anyone off if they are skimming for stars! It's melodramatic and dated in many ways. But I've added to it because if I'd read it as a young teen I would have LOVED IT! It would've been right up my alley!! Multi generational with a feisty Irish lass. What more could a young girl ask!! I'll certainly be passing it on to my granddaughter when the time comes. Thanks Betsey for loaning it to me.
December 10, 2012
i am returning to my book roots this was the first series of adult books that I read, I used to go toParramatta Library every week on the bus to get the next one. I was given 6 of the books for presents over the years. I have read the complete series only once but the 6 books I have read many times over.
Really enjoying reading the 16 books from my Kindle.
Really enjoying reading the 16 books from my Kindle.
June 3, 2021
4+ I really enjoyed this. I remember my parents reading this series and loving it. I think I read some myself back then - but didn't remember much about them. I found one at an antique store and the cover brought back memories so I bought it just for old times sake. I decided this year to put it on my list to read in 2021 ( books I own and plan to read but keep picking something else.) When I discovered the one I bought is the LAST book in the series I decided that wouldn't do. I got the first one from the library and enjoyed it so much I'll get the next one and maybe I'll read them all. (16!)
The writing, characters, pace, plot, humor, twists and turns. A great read.
The writing, characters, pace, plot, humor, twists and turns. A great read.
August 12, 2024
Little house on the prairie meets drama that is the best way to describe this story. It was very entertaining. keeps up with the time because it was written 90 years back. Great story!
January 1, 2017
This author was mentioned in a novel I read recently, so I checked out one of her books, which I had previously heard of but not read. This is the first in the series in chronology of characters and story, but not the first published. It's a welcome respite from issue and message novels in which the story is concocted to make some political or moral point. There is no real point here. The characters are vivid and quirky, far from idealized, and the action is never dramatic. Just when you think a crisis will occur--it doesn't. Set mostly in Canada--Quebec City and somewhere in Ontario--the story is of a family that emigrates from England and Ireland (there are also earlier connections with the raj in India) and builds a house. That's about it, but the characters are so lively that it is a treat to read. It is what my grandmother would have called a "harmless" book, and it might be a nice novel for a young adolescent, so long as she/he is willing to be interested in grown-up matters (children, though present, are far from the center of the book).
October 22, 2020
Possibly my favorite Jalna book! Even though it was written as a prequel (Jalna was the first book actually written) it is chronologically the first book in the series. I traces the travels of a young Captain Philip Whiteoak and his wife Adeline from their station in India, to England, Ireland, Quebec and finally Ontario where they build their house - Jalna.
We see Adeline's stubborness in ensuring that she give birth to her second son Ernest in the half completed house, her rage at a young girl making up to her husbad, and her generousity in helping James Wilmott (who is secretly in love with her) escape his troubles past. With night-time swimming parties, skating parties, teenage elopements and shipboard romance this book eally had it all - and illustrated in a bitter-sweet way (if you have read the rest of the series)the passion of the love between Philip and Adeline...
We see Adeline's stubborness in ensuring that she give birth to her second son Ernest in the half completed house, her rage at a young girl making up to her husbad, and her generousity in helping James Wilmott (who is secretly in love with her) escape his troubles past. With night-time swimming parties, skating parties, teenage elopements and shipboard romance this book eally had it all - and illustrated in a bitter-sweet way (if you have read the rest of the series)the passion of the love between Philip and Adeline...
October 27, 2019
I have come back to reading the Whiteoaks saga of a gap of at least 40 years thanks to Karen Wolfe reminding me of them and am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I am not sure how many of them I read previously but I am completely hooked. Great that the Exeter Stack seems to have all the old copies hidden away. They are very much of their era and some of the language, and views portrayed may feel uncomfortable to our modern sensibilities but it is worth accepting this to spend time with the vagaries I the Whiteoak family. What I most admire about the writing is how the characters come to life, even the children and the dog have real personalities. Wether I shall persevere through all 16 books we shall see.
August 5, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised by this three quarters of a century old book. It gave an entirely new perspective of the immigrant story! The Whiteoaks family immigrates with their Chippendale furniture and Asian carpets. They build a mansion on a hill with well paid labor. But the pleasure in the book is the humor. I chuckled! I don't remember the last time I chuckled. Adeline Whiteoaks would probably drive me nuts in real life, but she is a pleasure to read about. All of the characters were surprisingly real. I too hated Daisy! Who wouldn't like Adeline better?
January 20, 2017
L'auteur pensait n'écrire qu'un seul tome de cette saga qui en compte finalement ... 16 ! Et je comprends les lecteurs qui ont réclamé la suite, car à la fin de ce tome-ci, on reste un peu sur sa faim.
C'est bien écrit, prenant. On s'attache à Adeline et aux autres personnages. On tremble pour eux, on se réjouit, ... Et tout au long de la construction de leur maison, Adeline répète comme elle imagine déjà sa descendance, les bonheurs et malheurs qui arriveront ici .... Pour finalement terminer le roman sur la fin de la construction de la maison ! On veut la suite !
C'est bien écrit, prenant. On s'attache à Adeline et aux autres personnages. On tremble pour eux, on se réjouit, ... Et tout au long de la construction de leur maison, Adeline répète comme elle imagine déjà sa descendance, les bonheurs et malheurs qui arriveront ici .... Pour finalement terminer le roman sur la fin de la construction de la maison ! On veut la suite !
June 1, 2019
This was the first family-saga i ever read. As a teenager i loved and devoured the books. Now I am rediscovering them and still find them very enchanting, but maybe that is my nostalgic point of view? For everybody expecting action, these books are not for you, as a matter of fact i would not even rank the series among top class novels, however if you are looking for good, solid, light fun entertainment, that does not lose it's charme over the years, you will not be disappointed
June 30, 2014
Very old school way of writing. Very innocent period. I am so glad I finally got to start on this range of sixteen books. Quite interesting. Don't know whether the way the author wrote it fascinated me more than the books. They are seques but not written in any particular order. The auther, Mazo De La Roche had this story in her mind and wrote it over a period of thirty years. She started of with the fourth book and just wrote and added on as she felt. Amazing way of writing.
August 9, 2015
An unexpected pleasure in this first of a 16 volume series. Follows Philip and Adeline from 1850s India to England to Ireland to Quebec to the wilds of Ontario. While there are hardships, plenty of money makes them all manageable. Love the little glimpses of what's in store for future generations. Interesting characters abound, and, while this by no means a comedy, there are some wonderful LOL moments.
December 28, 2007
This was the first family saga I ever read. It's a pretty old series originally published in the fifties or sixties. My mother read it as a young woman and suggested it to me. The books follow the Whiteoak family as they emigrate from Scotland to America.
August 11, 2015
Quite enjoyable story of a young British couple emigrating to Canada in the mid 1800s.
June 12, 2023
Luin keväällä 2023 16-osainen Jalna-sarjan tarinan etenemisjärjestyksessä, kirjoja ei ole kuitenkaaan kirjoitettu tässä järjestyksessä ja se kyllä näkyi, tietyistä tapahtumista ei joissakin kirjoissa puhuttu ollenkaan, koska siitä ei vielä oltu kirjoitettukaan. Kirjat on kirjoitettu vuosina 1927- 1960.
En millään muista, olenko lukenut näitä nuorena, nyt sarjaa aloitettaessa mieleen tuli Montgmeryn Anna-sarja, kirjoitustyylissä, mutta myös ihan kirjan koossa ja kirjainten tyylissä. Kirjailijat ovatkin ilmeisesti tunteneet toisensa.
Sarja oli mielenkiintoinen kuvaus Kanadaan muuttavasta Intiassa sotilaana olleen miehen ja hänen vaimonsa perheestä ja heidän jälkeläisistään, heidän reissuistaan Englantiin ja muutenkin elämänmenostaan.
Taas ihmetytti, että mistä heillä 1800 -luvun lopulla ja vuosisadan vaihtuessa riitti tuohon elämään rahaa ja miten röyhkeästi ja itsestäänselvästi koko suku asui samassa talossa, suhtautuminen omistamiseen ja rahankäyttöön.
Viimeisissä kirjoissa tultiin kuitenkin jo 1950-luvulle, mutta perusmeno oli samanlaista kuin vuosisadan alussa, omistettiin kartanoita Englannissa/Irlannissa ja matkattiin mantereiden väliä, vierailut kestivät kuukausitolkulla jne.
Ehkä jo toivoin Jalnalaisten elämään jo reippaampia muutoksia, mutta tulipa nyt tämäkin luettua ja loppujen lopuksi jäi sitten miettimään, että mitäs nuorimmille suvun jäsenille tapahtuukaan?
Sarjan kirjat, ensimmäinen numero ilmaisee kirjoittamisjärjestyksen.
9. 1. Jalnan synty
16. 2. Jalnan aamu
11. 3. Jalnan kotiopettajatar
5. 4. Jalnan nuori Renny
7. 5. Jalnan kevät
13. 6. Jalnan veljekset
1. 7. Jalna
2. 8. Jalnan perhe
3. 9. Jalnan perintö
4. 10. Jalnan isäntä
6. 11. Jalnan kukoistus
8. 12. Näkemiin Jalna
10. 13. Jalnan miehet palaavat
12. 14. Rennyn tytär
14. 15. Kosijoita Jalnassa
15. 16. Juhlat Jalnassa
En millään muista, olenko lukenut näitä nuorena, nyt sarjaa aloitettaessa mieleen tuli Montgmeryn Anna-sarja, kirjoitustyylissä, mutta myös ihan kirjan koossa ja kirjainten tyylissä. Kirjailijat ovatkin ilmeisesti tunteneet toisensa.
Sarja oli mielenkiintoinen kuvaus Kanadaan muuttavasta Intiassa sotilaana olleen miehen ja hänen vaimonsa perheestä ja heidän jälkeläisistään, heidän reissuistaan Englantiin ja muutenkin elämänmenostaan.
Taas ihmetytti, että mistä heillä 1800 -luvun lopulla ja vuosisadan vaihtuessa riitti tuohon elämään rahaa ja miten röyhkeästi ja itsestäänselvästi koko suku asui samassa talossa, suhtautuminen omistamiseen ja rahankäyttöön.
Viimeisissä kirjoissa tultiin kuitenkin jo 1950-luvulle, mutta perusmeno oli samanlaista kuin vuosisadan alussa, omistettiin kartanoita Englannissa/Irlannissa ja matkattiin mantereiden väliä, vierailut kestivät kuukausitolkulla jne.
Ehkä jo toivoin Jalnalaisten elämään jo reippaampia muutoksia, mutta tulipa nyt tämäkin luettua ja loppujen lopuksi jäi sitten miettimään, että mitäs nuorimmille suvun jäsenille tapahtuukaan?
Sarjan kirjat, ensimmäinen numero ilmaisee kirjoittamisjärjestyksen.
9. 1. Jalnan synty
16. 2. Jalnan aamu
11. 3. Jalnan kotiopettajatar
5. 4. Jalnan nuori Renny
7. 5. Jalnan kevät
13. 6. Jalnan veljekset
1. 7. Jalna
2. 8. Jalnan perhe
3. 9. Jalnan perintö
4. 10. Jalnan isäntä
6. 11. Jalnan kukoistus
8. 12. Näkemiin Jalna
10. 13. Jalnan miehet palaavat
12. 14. Rennyn tytär
14. 15. Kosijoita Jalnassa
15. 16. Juhlat Jalnassa
December 31, 2024
A lovely escape novel. We meet the Whiteoaks in the 1800's as the family is coming to live in Canada. The challenges of sea travel, the challenges of establishing a new life in a new country and the challenges of just being a woman in the 1800's. Life was a challenge! And there also were so many simple pleasures. The joys of swimming and ice skating of the very first time - EVER! And doing it as an adult! The hospitality of people, so necessary in that time. Looking forward to escaping to the 1800's with the Whiteoaks as I read through the series and coming to know the generations of Whiteoaks as they love, live and cherish the beloved family home - Jalna.
October 10, 2019
I chose this book for a reading challenge to read a Canadian book published in a year I would have liked to live. Although the Jalna series was first published in the twenties and thirties, this book labelled as the first, is actually a prequel that was published in the early forties. Of course I didn’t realize this at the start, or I would have begun with the earliest published novel! Imagine starting Star Wars at Episode I! In any case, the book was enjoyable. It’s light-hearted and a bit frivolous, with several story arcs happening at once similar to a soap opera.
June 16, 2022
Jalna
By Mazo de la Roche Book 1 of 16
This book had all the qualities that I love, it was big, it was a family saga, with a female heroine that appeared to be very strong and a feisty redhead, then lastly written by a Canadian author several years ago. What this book lacked was research as the family moved to Canada in the 1800s from India and England when Phillip left his army service. These easy ways were not how their life would have been in the Canadian historical fiction I have read in the past. A lot of the times, interesting story lines would begin and then it would go nowhere. Now this being said it could all be the writing style of this particular author.I will likely not continue to read the other 15 books at this time.
By Mazo de la Roche Book 1 of 16
This book had all the qualities that I love, it was big, it was a family saga, with a female heroine that appeared to be very strong and a feisty redhead, then lastly written by a Canadian author several years ago. What this book lacked was research as the family moved to Canada in the 1800s from India and England when Phillip left his army service. These easy ways were not how their life would have been in the Canadian historical fiction I have read in the past. A lot of the times, interesting story lines would begin and then it would go nowhere. Now this being said it could all be the writing style of this particular author.I will likely not continue to read the other 15 books at this time.
January 1, 2019
A lovely book, I loved the characters, particularly Adeline, her feisty, irrepressible nature, red haired and flamboyant, able to ignore societal norms and her handsome spouse, Philip.
They were globe trotters adventurers, as they returned from India to Ireland with baby Augusta and their Ayah. A sea voyage not without difficulties, but arriving in Ireland then travelled on to Canada to establish their own home, accompanied by Adeline's two boisterous brothers.
A historical novel very much of its time, first published in 1945, Mazo de la Roche a prolific writer, many from the Whiteoaks of Jalna series. I enjoyed the first so much, am now looking forward to volume 2.
I can recommend this to all readers of romance, family sagas and adventures and daring deeds! Its a slow burner, but builds up to a very pacy read.
A great read.
They were globe trotters adventurers, as they returned from India to Ireland with baby Augusta and their Ayah. A sea voyage not without difficulties, but arriving in Ireland then travelled on to Canada to establish their own home, accompanied by Adeline's two boisterous brothers.
A historical novel very much of its time, first published in 1945, Mazo de la Roche a prolific writer, many from the Whiteoaks of Jalna series. I enjoyed the first so much, am now looking forward to volume 2.
I can recommend this to all readers of romance, family sagas and adventures and daring deeds! Its a slow burner, but builds up to a very pacy read.
A great read.
March 27, 2012
If you like plot, don't bother with THE BUILDING OF JALNA. There's little conflict here, since the story revolves around a young couple who are happily married, who have no money troubles and no other pressing worries worth mentioning. The book is episodic, featuring scenes in their lives before and after their relocation from the United Kingdom to Ontario, Canada.
However, as a whole the Jalna series is very compelling. It chronicles the history of the Whiteoak family from the early 1850's to the 1950's. For that reason, anyone who has read JALNA and WHITEOAKS should enjoy this "flashback" story. Mazo de la Roche didn't write her saga in chronological order but began with the 1920's. Here, at a later publication date, she takes us back in time to the 1850's to show how the family homestead "Jalna" was first built and how Grandmother Adeline looked and behaved as a young woman. Since we last saw Adeline at age 102, laid out as a corpse in WHITEOAKS, it's rather jarring to re-encounter her as a beautiful, healthy girl! Most ironic, too, for her husband Philip in chapter one gazes at her with rapt desire, thinking "She can never grow old!"
Adeline is spoiled and arrogant, very much like her husband in nature. They don't impress you as especially nice people but then again, they're colorful. There are some comic sequences involving Adeline's wild teenaged brothers, and the elopement of one of them. There's the oversexed Daisy Vaughan, who tries to seduce Philip and is later horse-whipped by Adeline. There's the reclusive Irishman, James Wilmott, who runs away from his detested wife and settles near the Whiteoaks in Ontario, attended by a half-breed Indian boy. (He's secretly in love with Adeline too, but nothing improper ever happens.) There's old Fiddler Jock, drunkard but also inspired musician, who finds shelter on the Whiteoak property. (In JALNA, we are told of Jock's ultimate fate, which won't be pretty.) THE BUILDING OF JALNA is interesting because of its many little anecdotes about Jalna in the early years. It's not great literature but it's a fun read.
However, as a whole the Jalna series is very compelling. It chronicles the history of the Whiteoak family from the early 1850's to the 1950's. For that reason, anyone who has read JALNA and WHITEOAKS should enjoy this "flashback" story. Mazo de la Roche didn't write her saga in chronological order but began with the 1920's. Here, at a later publication date, she takes us back in time to the 1850's to show how the family homestead "Jalna" was first built and how Grandmother Adeline looked and behaved as a young woman. Since we last saw Adeline at age 102, laid out as a corpse in WHITEOAKS, it's rather jarring to re-encounter her as a beautiful, healthy girl! Most ironic, too, for her husband Philip in chapter one gazes at her with rapt desire, thinking "She can never grow old!"
Adeline is spoiled and arrogant, very much like her husband in nature. They don't impress you as especially nice people but then again, they're colorful. There are some comic sequences involving Adeline's wild teenaged brothers, and the elopement of one of them. There's the oversexed Daisy Vaughan, who tries to seduce Philip and is later horse-whipped by Adeline. There's the reclusive Irishman, James Wilmott, who runs away from his detested wife and settles near the Whiteoaks in Ontario, attended by a half-breed Indian boy. (He's secretly in love with Adeline too, but nothing improper ever happens.) There's old Fiddler Jock, drunkard but also inspired musician, who finds shelter on the Whiteoak property. (In JALNA, we are told of Jock's ultimate fate, which won't be pretty.) THE BUILDING OF JALNA is interesting because of its many little anecdotes about Jalna in the early years. It's not great literature but it's a fun read.
March 7, 2017
Jalna is one of those series that I have been meaning to read for years. During that time I have managed to collect all 16 novels, so I figured now would be the good time to start reading them. I chose to read them in chronological order rather than the publication order, because it seemed like the most logical thing to do.
This first novel (or prequel?) is more a collection of anecdotes than a story with one cohesive plotline. Adeline and her husband are not the most likeable people, but they are colourful. The narrator keeps a distance with the subject, describing mostly actions and very rarely anyone's thoughts. While this is not by any means my new favourite book, it was entertaining enough and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
This first novel (or prequel?) is more a collection of anecdotes than a story with one cohesive plotline. Adeline and her husband are not the most likeable people, but they are colourful. The narrator keeps a distance with the subject, describing mostly actions and very rarely anyone's thoughts. While this is not by any means my new favourite book, it was entertaining enough and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 22, 2021
I ve read the 16 books of jalna at least 5 or 6 times. There are my favourite books. Following the story of a family over a century, getting attached to the characters and seeing them grow old is really something amazing. Jalna is definitely my favourite book of all time or favourite books! My favourite characters are adeline and renny. They are strong tempered and so many things happen with them. I often refer to the family tree as there are so many people in the books but they each have their own personality and you can’t help but get attached to at least one of them. Jalna represents a house that stands against time with its values. This house sees everything war, love, sadness, accidents, pains, treasons, hope.
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