New Orleans Legacy [Hardcover]

Alexandra Ripley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in antebellum Louisiana, this historical romance follows the fortunes of Mary McAlister, raised in a convent in Pennsylvania. When Mary's father dies, leaving his fortune to his unscrupulous second wife, 16-year-old Mary sets out for New Orleans to find her real mother's family. The naive girl soon falls into the clutches of New Orleans' most infamous madam. Mary escapes the brothel, virtue intact, but not before she is seen there by Valmont Saint-Brevin, a handsome Creole aristocrat. As Mary wanders the strange city, her path crosses that of her Aunt Celeste who, hoping to retain the inheritance left by Mary's mother, hides her identity from her niece. Mary perseveres through poverty, drudgery, a sham marriage and subsequent rape, voodoo and a yellow fever epidemic, the mesmerizing Saint-Brevin toying with her heart all the while. Ripley (Charleston includes potentially interesting historical detail, but it is all but obscured by the sorely abused conventions of the historical romance genre that dominate her story. As the coincidence-laden plot twists towards its predictable ending, its myriad stereotyped characters utter dialogue embarrassing enough to make Robert E. Lee blush in his grave. Readers Digest Condensed Book selection; Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 435 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Pub Co (February 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0026035200
• ISBN-13: 978-0026035200
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TREAT FOR SOUTHERN HISTORY BUFFS!, October 4, 1999

By 

Kay Lewis - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Orleans Legacy (Mass Market Paperback)

Ripley doesn't just write about the South; she takes you there. Her descriptions of New Orleans, homes and even the shops are so vivid one can truly live in each moment along with Mary MacAlistair, the lively character the story evolves around. Her life takes so many twist and turns it's amazing to realize that it all happens in the space of a year. From the age of sixteen to seventeen she's experienced more then most would over the space of a lifetime. She jaunts through the adversity in her life with a very uplifting attitude until she briefly determines it's a dog-eat-dog world she resides in. However, events unfold and she again finds the 'chin up' frame of mind that has made her the delightful character that is Mary. I enjoyed this book as much or more as "Charleston" and "Leaving Charleston". I did feel that the ending unfurled a bit to quickly and lacked the build up that other important parts of the book offered. Overall, it was a most enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true New Orleans Legacy, March 6, 2001

By 

"balexa3919" (Tuscaloosa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Orleans Legacy (Mass Market Paperback)

History, love and adventure are held within the covers of New Orleans Legacy by Alexandra Ripley. She combines her talent for fiction writing and the history of one of the nation's most mysterious cities to entertain. Imagine being a 16-year-old girl without a family and only a small box filled with various family heirlooms as a link to the past. After graduating from a convent school, and learning of her father's death, Mary MacAlister sets out to learn about her family and heritage. Her quest for knowledge leads her to New Orleans where she meets an array of characters ranging from a madam to a plantation owner to a Voodoo queen. Her adventures and troubles start on her journey down the Mississippi. She encounters illness, trickery and loneliness. But there are good times too. Mary becomes part of a family, independent and a heroine to many. And of course there is romance. Mary learns that sometimes a man's intentions are not all that innocent and love is not all that easy. Mary MacAlister's story is not the only great thing about this book. Ripley researched the history of New Orleans and its people to be able to honestly depict the city. At the end of the book she places a disclaimer about one inaccuracy. Ripley's portrayal of New Orleans, the people and the history is superior to any other. New Orleans Legacy is for anyone who wants to curl up and get lost in a good book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading, but disappointing ending, November 19, 1999

By 

Heather L. Williams "Heather" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Orleans Legacy (Mass Market Paperback)

I found this book enjoyable and readable. I had a hard time putting it down and kept wanting to read more. However, the ending was very abrupt, and really did not give the reader much satisfaction. It didn't really fit with the rest of the character of the book. Nevertheless, I felt the imagery was excellent and the storyline was interesting.