Whiteoaks of Jalna

Whiteoaks of Jalna by Mazo de la Roche is the second (in publication order) of the series. It follows a few months after the matriarch's birthday. Things though aren't so rosy at Jalna and the neatly tied up threads are starting to unravel.

Finch has found his passion in life: music. But he seems conflicted sexually. It doesn't help that most of his relatives refuse to accept him as he is. The exception (to everyone else's shock) is Adeline, the matriarch.

Meanwhile in New York, Eden's marriage has completely fallen apart. His wife is back to her old life and thriving. But he's been eaten alive by the city and needs an intervention.

When Eden's brought home to recuperate, things get even dicier at Jalna. The main problem is that everyone show more is too different but they're all staying put to keep Adeline happy. Her hold over Jalna is very similar to that of the grandmother's in Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.

Except in the case of Jalna, Finch learns that Adeline doesn't really expect everyone to stay at her beck and call. Jalna's a bit of a time capsule only because it's her home. She and her husband built it on their return from India. That doesn't mean she expects her children and grandchildren to recreate her experiences on a daily basis.

But they have given up listening to her and she has given up talking to them. Thus Jalna has fallen into a weird stasis that will only be broken upon her death. show less

During this book, I realized that not many of the family are admirable. But that does not make it less fun and engaging.