A Second Legacy

A generational study of following one's heart, beginning with the mother coming of age in the 60s and the daughter in the 80s. With very different perspectives and the usual mother/daughter drama, this is a very richly readable book that reminds me a lot of Pilcher and Binchy. The dialogue is a little muted, but this is intellectual (as in "use your imagination") non-bodice ripper kind of romance. An amazing weaving into a very enjoyable book that will take the reader from the Cornish Coast, to swinging London, to Scotland and ... then on to Afghanistan. The timing of this book makes the story all the more interesting in light of current events.There is another generational novel entitled LEGACY OF LOVE which, if you are a more orderly person than I, you may wish to read first. Apparently that book leads up to this one, though I have to say this one stood quite well on its own. I do intend to read the earlier book, for I truly enjoyed this author.

I just found this dissapointing. But then I am a big fan of Joanna Trollope writting as herself. This book was just to lite for me. A romance, a family story, but without the zing that her other books have that makes them something more than just a fun read.

London swings like a pendulum in the sixties, but Alexa Langley feels more like a fish out of water. Unlike her successful parents who thrive in the mod climate, Alexa feels shy and unworthy. Everyone concludes that Alexa is a classic underachiever who could do better. Even in marriage she fails though betrayal by her spouse is a more apt description. Alexa finally flees London with her infant Carly for a family owned Scottish castle that has been neglected for years. Will Alexa find the inner strength that flows in the blood of her female ancestors or is she the skipped generation? In 1988, Carly finds an extraordinary journal that describes the adventures of her great great grandmother in Afghanistan (see A LEGACY OF LOVE). Unable to resist, Carly retraces the steps of her ancestor while not knowing what she seeks or what she will find as she treks across the war-scared landscape. A SECOND LEGACY is actually two novellas in one book. Caroline Harvey, better known as Joanna Trollope, (both names appear on the title page - duh) provides her audience with the tales of two women. The story lines are similar yet quite different. Alexa's tale is a character study of someone struggling to find contentment and her self worth. Carly's plot centers on finding a place in the world too, but is more of a romantic suspense drama. Still each story engages the reader who feel empathy towards the heroines and shows why this writer is a highly regarded best selling author.Harriet Klausner