The Master of Jalna: 09/30/16

The Master of Jalna by Mazo de la Roche is either the fourth (publication order) or the tenth (chronological order) of the Whiteoaks of Jalna series. It's also probably the last book I'm going to attempt.

After the death of the centenarian matriarch, the Whiteoak men inherited the estate, with Finch getting the bulk of grandma's fortune. Well by book four they've made a pig's breakfast of things.

In all fairness, there is a worldwide economic depression and Canada, sharing the same great plains as the United States, suffered similar losses in GNP from the dust bowl years. But much of Jalna's downfall is from piss poor management on the part of the Whiteoaks.

Instead of focusing on the harsh reality that the younger generation has systematically mismanaged the farm, drained it of its funds, and been forced to sell off parts of it, the plot narrows in on the family dysfunction. I really really really really really really don't like any of them enough to care who ends up cheating on whom.

One star

Comments (0)