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A review by rcsreads
The Loving Spirit by Daphne du Maurier

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This one is broken into four parts which each following a different member of the Coombe family. My only problem was part two which follows Joseph who is a jerk with a mildly incestuous obsession with his mum.
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 As well as the title coming from an Emily Bronte poem, there are quotes from her at the start of each section and Janet, our first Coombe, haunts the rest of the book like Cathy in Heights. We also have a bit of a Jane Eyre ending. There are lots of other gothic elements although I frankly felt bad for the "evil uncle" Philip because his mum was too obsessed with Joseph to give him any attention. I liked that he lived an extremely long time just so he could fuck with every generation.
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 The writing is beautiful and has Daphers usual descriptive charm which makes me want to go to Cornwall and sail around on boats.
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 Recommended to fans of the gothic and fans of a good intergenerational family drama. 

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