Customer Reviews

New Orleans Legacy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I love New Orleans, and I love historical novels, so this book was tailor-made for my tastes. I enjoyed the book. The heroine is wonderful, and her quest for her identity and her past is really gripping. It's a long book, but it doesn't seem so as you read through it. That's the test of a good book - can it take you out of yourself so you don't even realize what's going on? This one does that.

The story of Mary and Val was fascinating and really pulled me in - I didn't want to put the book down. But after establishing these memorable characters and weaving this engaging narrative, the author suddenly drops the story and walks away. Come on Ms. Ripley, after living through Mary's trials and triumphs, don't your loyal readers deserve at least a one-page epilogue?

This was a very hard to put down book! I loved the historical background to the story. New Orleans is truly the most fascinating city in America. I would have given it 5 stars, but one part of the story bothered me. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so I will not tell what it was. It described in detail the famous Quadroon Balls, life in an Irish boarding house and even meals and why they are served on certain days. Just little details like that shows that Alexandra Ripley did alot of research for this story. I highly recommend this novel.

I first read this book years and years ago in the span of one day. I couldn't put it down! And as soon as I finished, I flipped right back to the front and started over. Since then, I've read New Orleans Legacy at least a dozen times. Ripley's history is exquisite. I was so moved that I read everything else of hers I could find. I highly recommend this book as well as Charleston, On Leaving Charleston, and The Time Returns.

Ripley does a superb in re-creating the mood in this historical love story and tragedy. The main character never loses the innocence she started with. Nothing came easy to her, yet she had everything. Very well written......mon ami!

The central character, Mary, never got off easy. Ripley satisfyingly made her life complicated. I'm ready to go back to New Orleans and imagine what Mary experienced.

This book is really good. It's long, but I was so interested that I read it in about a week (while I took college courses as well). The main character, Mary, is a true heroine, she's not this silly love-starved, look-for-a-husband-type that's usually found in historical romance/fiction novels. You know it was a good book when a month later you think to yourself "now, who was it that..." and you realize it was a character from a book. Discriptions of N'arlings are great, too. Compleate with banquettes, coffee, and banyaes (sp?). Now I can understand why Ripley was chosen to write the sequal to "Gone With the Wind." If you like epic type historical romances, you'll like this book!