I have come trough the whole series of the Jalna saga whith enthousiasm. Every one of the characters displays a rich personality with virtues and defects. All the human passions are shown whithin the limits of the same family. It is easy to read for young people. It is worth a reimpression

An excellent series. Once you have read the first one you will be hooked

Quite a few years ago I was introduced to the Jalna series. As I was skeptical, I started with the main title Jalna. I was soon caught up in the world of Jalna and the whole Whiteoak family. Their trials and tribulations and victories. It was a wonderful read and I have recommended this series to many people. I have since collected all the titles in the original hardcover "Whiteoak" First editions. They are a truly interesting family and I only wish that there had been more written!~

I read my first Jalna book when I graduated in 1969, because I purchased a few books with my gifts of money -- and when I found out it was a 16 volume series, I read all of them that wonderful 18th summer... AND I've been reading them ever since, one or two a year, the whole series twice at least in a row. What I like about the books is the characters are very real, with all of their faults and it isn't hard to have a few favorites immediately. I recommend the Jalna Series to anyone who likes a good story that lasts forever. Sometimes I feel like I really know those people...

This was the first book I read of Mazo de la Roche's classic series of novels about the colorful Whiteoak clan of Jalna in Canada. Mary Wakefield is a misfit among the opinionated, strong willed Whiteoak clan--a sensitive, vulnerable governess whose increasing attraction to the widowed father of her students is resented by his indomitable dowager mother, Adeline Whiteoak. It's one of many memorable books in this unique series, but I thought it was one of the most touching. Mary is as much a character to remember as the formidable Adeline, with whom she ultimately locks horns in a battle for the same man. A worthwhile addition to the vivid series about this tumultuous clan.

Although born in India (in 1895), Archibald Gordon Macdonell always regarded himself first and foremost as a Scot. Invalided out of the army during the First World War, he made an early living writing revue articles - principally dramatic criticism - for the London Mercury, before finally making a name for himself as the author of this satirical examination of the character and nature of the English from the viewpoint of a stranger to their land.

"England, Their England" is set in an England of the 1920s. In almost autobiographical fashion, it chronicles the adventures of a young man, Donald Cameron, who is forced, under the terms of his father's will, to live his life south of the border amongst the 'alien and strange' English, rather than in his native Scotland. Whilst trying to make his way in London by means of various newspaper jobs, a chance encounter with a Welshman lands him with a commission to write a book about the English, as viewed through the eyes of a foreigner. Donald thus sets off on a quest to discover the true character of this alien land in which he finds himself forced to live: a Post (Great) War England of toffs and wags and provincial yokels, of gay young things, and of officers' and gentlemen's clubs; of weekend parties in the country (amidst the last dying embers of an earlier world).

In his search for what it is that epitomises 'Englishness', Donald observes at close quarters the English engaging in numerous of their staple national pastimes: village cricket (probably the best known chapter of the book); walking the links; rugby football; fox hunting; boozing; international diplomacy and domestic politics. The book also contains an account of Donald's experience of what in those days was but a fledgling upstart clamouring for a place in English hearts and minds - an association football (soccer) match - as well as taking passing swipes at English inter-war literary and dramatic endeavours.

This book's early chapters are outrageously hilarious, bordering on farce on occasions, although the mood turns more towards pathos in the later stages, as Donald discovers (and the author portrays the virtues of) the more down-to-earth, homespun existence of the newly emerging middle and working classes, although even here the author finds plenty of scope for caricature. The book turns briefly to total farce for its finale, in which all of the characters come together in one last ludicrous Act, before winding up with a peaceful (and rather sugary) coda on the history-steeped lawns of Winchester.

The inter-war years were an odd period throughout the whole of Europe but perhaps nowhere more so than in Britain, and especially England, with the gradual collapse of its privileged classes - long in decline but by then all but wiped out in the carnage of the Great War (or else facing financial ruin in the depressions that followed). It is no real surprise that satirical novels were virtually the standard form of literary expression of those years; A G Macdonell's approach is wittier and less gloomy (yet more acerbic) than most of that time, especially the better known ones such as the writings of Evelyn Waugh (whose early novels are more or less contemporaneous with "England, Their England").

Despite the passing of the years, this book acts as a perfect window onto its times; a window, nevertheless, fitted with distorting glass, intended to point up the ludicrous and the grotesque, encouraging no-one to mourn the passing of outmoded ways, or, indeed, the sad decline of a once great imperial power. And yet, speaking with a wit and humour that transmits itself as clearly and articulately today as when it was written, this book suggests that there is - and always will be - something of value at the heart of this indomitable (but fundamentally crazy) nation.

Some of the jokes may have lost much of their meaning in the seventy years since this book was written (especially for younger readers unaware of the details of the history of those times) but ironically, many of the anachronisms so mockingly (and yet affectionately) painted in A G Macdonell's treasurable prose remain recognisably present in the England of today. "England, Their England" remains a classic book, and a great testimony to an observant and witty man whose untimely death in 1941 robbed the English-speaking world of a great mind and a fine author.

Although this book (and the series it comes from) is rather out-dated copyright wise, the timeless tale of a family starting with it's matriarch and patriach all the way to the 5 generation is priceless. You will love, empathize, and even loathe characters as they come alive off the tattered and worn pages. This is a must read series!

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.

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.

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!

this book and all the books in the jalna series are a quiet get away from this stressful world