oanh_1's review against another edition
4.0
I am mostly likely going to fail to do this novel justice, but I also feel that I need to write about it now, rather than in a few days time when it will be driven out of my mind by the myriad distractions life currently presents me with.
This novel was almost meditative, aching with its drawn out story of seeking answers to the mystery of "What happened to Ingrid?" (the tagline on the front cover, although I must say my initial reaction to that was: why do I care?). I rather like novels about not very much, about rather mundane things, actually, even if the people in them are remarkable (or remarkable to the narrator).
Well written and captivating, the narrator is particularly well-drawn. I'd like to know more about her aunt, and her relationship with her mother and her brother, but those gaps make the story more enticing, rather than distracting.
This novel was almost meditative, aching with its drawn out story of seeking answers to the mystery of "What happened to Ingrid?" (the tagline on the front cover, although I must say my initial reaction to that was: why do I care?). I rather like novels about not very much, about rather mundane things, actually, even if the people in them are remarkable (or remarkable to the narrator).
Well written and captivating, the narrator is particularly well-drawn. I'd like to know more about her aunt, and her relationship with her mother and her brother, but those gaps make the story more enticing, rather than distracting.
mandi_m's review against another edition
This took me back to uni days, drinking too much and loving someone who is clearly just your friend. An entertaining read with very familiar characters.
drrosie's review
3.0
Reasonably absorbing but ultimately frustrating. There was much to like about the writing but some of the character interraction stretched belief. Why did she take months to ask questions that were obvious from the start?
missuskisses's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to the publisher and goodreads for the free review copy.
The Legacy focuses on Julia, Ralph, and Ingrid, three (sometimes) close friends. When Ingrid disappears in New York after the events of 9/11, Julia heads to the Big Apple to investigate.
This book is an homage to The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James; Ingrid's situation mirrors in part Isabel's in Portrait. It's quite a high order for one's first novel to be inspired by a classic work, but the author's literary background certainly explains the aspiration.
The Legacy is sometimes too clever for its own good, particularly in the numerous literary and pop cultural references perhaps meant to serve as shorthand for evoking moods or feelings associated with those referenced works. That is not to say the author takes shortcuts; this novel is very luxuriously paced, with no sense of urgency.
Undoubtedly Ms. Tranter is a talented writer, and her descriptions are so vivid that I was present wherever Julia was. Nevertheless, an emotional disconnect forced me to distance myself. Yes, unrequited love can be romantic in its way, but all the pining described constituted the petulant sort. And for all the investigation that Julia conducts to find Ingrid, the journey is all about discovering Julia. That is not in itself an ignoble cause, except that we must care for Julia. I did not care enough for any of these people.
Three stars for the exquisite writing and admirable aspirations.
The Legacy focuses on Julia, Ralph, and Ingrid, three (sometimes) close friends. When Ingrid disappears in New York after the events of 9/11, Julia heads to the Big Apple to investigate.
This book is an homage to The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James; Ingrid's situation mirrors in part Isabel's in Portrait. It's quite a high order for one's first novel to be inspired by a classic work, but the author's literary background certainly explains the aspiration.
The Legacy is sometimes too clever for its own good, particularly in the numerous literary and pop cultural references perhaps meant to serve as shorthand for evoking moods or feelings associated with those referenced works. That is not to say the author takes shortcuts; this novel is very luxuriously paced, with no sense of urgency.
Undoubtedly Ms. Tranter is a talented writer, and her descriptions are so vivid that I was present wherever Julia was. Nevertheless, an emotional disconnect forced me to distance myself. Yes, unrequited love can be romantic in its way, but all the pining described constituted the petulant sort. And for all the investigation that Julia conducts to find Ingrid, the journey is all about discovering Julia. That is not in itself an ignoble cause, except that we must care for Julia. I did not care enough for any of these people.
Three stars for the exquisite writing and admirable aspirations.
samstillreading's review
1.0
The Legacy by Kirsten Tranter. It has one of the most gorgeous covers I’ve seen. But the content is disappointing. The plot is good- girl goes missing in New York on September 11, 2001- or does she? But it doesn’t seem to execute itself well- jumping back and forth in time, vaguely alluding to events and skipping large chunks of time. After 150 pages, I gave up and read the last chapter. I still can’t tell you exactly if Isabel was killed, disappeared or simply never existed- but I don’t care. There’s no sympathy created for the characters and the descriptions of Perth as a backwater were cruel and unjustified. I would debate whether the author has ever been to Perth, as the descriptions of the city are unclear and geographically incorrect. Just goes to show that a PhD doesn’t automatically make you a writer! Research is completely different to fiction writing and this book could have used some emotion and editing.
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