An emotional and well written book about grief and family.
I thought The Legacy was a strong and well written novel. Focussing on the three children of Jonathan, his partner Megan and ex-wife Eloise, it highlights grief and the different forms it can take, and how different people react to it.
The story takes place over one tense weekend, as the Liv, Noah and Chloe try to decide what to do with their father’s estate. Switching points of view between the characters allows readers to understand the characters and their motivations, as well as showing the issues within the family. I thought the author showed family relationships, particularly adult sibling relationships very well. The siblings bicker and fight but these are dropped quickly, or they linger and past childhood frustrations are brought up, before they all head off together and the subject is forgotten until the next time. This back and forth was so true to life, that I think a lot of people could relate to it. The siblings are very different but likeable, and I think readers could relate to them, especially in the different ways they are handling their father’s loss.
The Legacy also focuses on Megan, Jonathan’s partner. Their relationship began as an affair, and this affects the way his children view her. She is very much an outsider in their family. I think her character is the most sympathetic, because she is alone in her grief, and Jonathan’s children are happy to exclude her, especially when talk turns to money. Megan nursed Jonathan towards the end of his illness, and is still hurting from that, and angry at Jonathan for leaving her alone. This anger is written in a way true to life, and again I think readers would find her character relatable even if they haven’t been through the same situation.
There isn’t a lot of drama or twists and turns in this novel. The characters may have their own secrets, but there’s no big reveal to cause unnecessary complications. And I was glad, because it wasn’t necessary. The story focuses on family and grief, and I don’t think it needed huge screaming matches between the characters to tell that story. With short chapters this book is quick to read, emotional and a book I would recommend.
Thank you to Readers First, Corvus and Atlantic Books for this copy to read and review.
The story takes place over one tense weekend, as the Liv, Noah and Chloe try to decide what to do with their father’s estate. Switching points of view between the characters allows readers to understand the characters and their motivations, as well as showing the issues within the family. I thought the author showed family relationships, particularly adult sibling relationships very well. The siblings bicker and fight but these are dropped quickly, or they linger and past childhood frustrations are brought up, before they all head off together and the subject is forgotten until the next time. This back and forth was so true to life, that I think a lot of people could relate to it. The siblings are very different but likeable, and I think readers could relate to them, especially in the different ways they are handling their father’s loss.
The Legacy also focuses on Megan, Jonathan’s partner. Their relationship began as an affair, and this affects the way his children view her. She is very much an outsider in their family. I think her character is the most sympathetic, because she is alone in her grief, and Jonathan’s children are happy to exclude her, especially when talk turns to money. Megan nursed Jonathan towards the end of his illness, and is still hurting from that, and angry at Jonathan for leaving her alone. This anger is written in a way true to life, and again I think readers would find her character relatable even if they haven’t been through the same situation.
There isn’t a lot of drama or twists and turns in this novel. The characters may have their own secrets, but there’s no big reveal to cause unnecessary complications. And I was glad, because it wasn’t necessary. The story focuses on family and grief, and I don’t think it needed huge screaming matches between the characters to tell that story. With short chapters this book is quick to read, emotional and a book I would recommend.
Thank you to Readers First, Corvus and Atlantic Books for this copy to read and review.