Jalna

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?