Published by Sarnia Press Genres: Dual-Time Story, Family Saga, Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Kindle, Paperback
The Inheritance (The Guernsey Novels) by Anne Allen
A gorgeously intriguing story”
How close were Victor Hugo and his copyist?
1862 Young widow Eugénie is left bereft when her husband dies suddenly and faces an uncertain future in Guernsey. A further tragedy brings her to the attention of Monsieur Victor Hugo, living in exile on the island in his opulent house only yards away from Eugénie’s home. Their meeting changes her life and she becomes his copyist, forming a strong friendship with both Hugo and his mistress, Juliette Drouet.
2012 Doctor Tess Le Prevost, Guernsey born though now living in Exeter, is shocked to inherit her Great-Aunt’s house on the island. As a child she was entranced by Doris’s tales of their ancestor, Eugénie, whose house this once was, and who, according to family myth, was particularly close to Hugo. Was he the real father of her child? Tess is keen to find out and returning to the island presents her with the ideal opportunity.
Will she discover the truth about Eugénie and Hugo? A surprise find may hold the answer as Tess embraces new challenges which test her strength – and her heart.
The Inheritance by Anne Allen is a fascinating story chronicling two separate timelines and lives, which weave together smoothly and magnificently. It is rich and powerful, filled with intrigue, mystery and romance – set on the beautiful island of Guernsey.
In 1862, beautiful and young, Eugénie tragically loses her husband to an accident, and is now a widow. Nervous about her life and future, Eugénie experiences another tragedy, which will impact her life, when Victor Hugo and his mistress Juliette Drouet come to her aid. She soon becomes Victor’s copyist and the bonds of friendship form between Eugénie, Hugo and Juliette Drouet. The turn of events that Eugénie has experienced will change her life forever and stamp an imprint on future generations and lives.
2012, Tess is a successful doctor who was born in Guernsey, and now lives in Exeter. Longing for life back on Guernsey, and uncertain about the direction of her life, she suddenly learns that her great aunt Doris has died, and left Tess her home in Guernsey. When she returns to Guernsey to live in her aunt’s dilapidated home, she hires Jack, a contractor to rehab the house. While she is waiting for her home to be livable, and considering Jack as a possible love interest, she begins to follow up on her aunt’s research into their ancestors. She looks into the life of Eugénie, who once lived in the house 150 years past, and her curious connection to Victor Hugo. Just like Eugénie, Tess’s life, on Guernsey Island, will never be the same.
The Inheritance by Anne Allen weaves the past and the present and two lives together seamlessly. I enjoyed how effortlessly the narrative changed between Eugénie and Tess, and how their similar lives were portrayed in the past and in the present. With the story set in 2012, the reader will appreciate going back in time through Eugénie’s diary and life from the 1800’s. Set on a gorgeous island, the story of two strong young women related by blood and with much in common, yet separated by 150 years, will have readers intrigued, captivated and engaged from start to finish. I totally connected emotionally with the well-developed and compelling characters. Anne Allen’s expressive and descriptive writing transports readers to a different time and place filled with beauty, emotion, love, friendship, romance and interesting historical facts. I was enraptured by the beautiful setting. I was so impressed with this novel, and the amount of research that went into the historical storyline of Eugénie, and then the creative melding with the contemporary life of Tess. It’s just brilliant storytelling!
Chick Lit Cafe recommends – The Inheritance by Anne Allen – a 5 star, must read Guernsey novel for all romance, historical fiction and family saga fiction lovers.
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