First published in 1949, in Mary Wakefield, the third book in the Jalna series, a young English woman is hired by Ernest Whiteoak to be a governess to Philip’s motherless children. When Philip falls in love with her, his mother does all she can to prevent the marriage. This is book 3 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Young Renny.

Mazo de la Roche, in 1927, was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from The Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller and was eventually adapted for stage, screen, and television. Known for creating unforgettable characters that come to life for her readers, Mazo de la Roche is truly an icon of Canadian literature.

In 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from the American magazine Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller. In 1929, the sequel Whiteoaks also went to the top of bestseller lists. Mazo went on to publish 16 novels in the popular series about a Canadian family named Whiteoak, living in a house called Jalna. Her success allowed her to travel the world and to live in a mansion near Windsor Castle. Mazo created unforgettable characters who come to life for her readers, but she was secretive about her own life and tried to escape the public attention her fame brought.

Mazo de la Roche's profile page

The role of women and the role of money and materialism in the novel offer an interesting point of comparison for younger readers in the classroom.

CM Magazine