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The Legacy
When single, independent Fallady receives the unexpected legacy of an old watermill in the Welsh borders she wastes no time in moving there, only too happy to escape her dreary life in London. However, the beautiful, isolated house turns out to conceal a number of secrets, not least the two staff who act as cook and gardener and who seem unduly concerned for her welfare. Are they ghosts, as almost everyone else seems to believe? And what is the truth about the ruined village nearby? Her search for answers leads her into an encounter with the eighteenth century and to the love of her life, but as the mystery slowly unravels and the last, devastating secret is revealed, she is forced to choose between love and sacrifice. This is a new edition of The Legacy with a small amount of altered content compared with the version previously published by Snowbooks.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
19 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Jill Rowan
7 books20 followersJill Rowan lives in the Shropshire countryside. She is a keen photographer and natural history enthusiast with a special interest in spiders. She also likes to engage in gardening, lazy walks and leisurely cycle rides. She has obtained both a BA and a BSc with the Open University and has studied subjects as diverse as astronomy, creative writing, languages, environmental science and religion. Her first book, The Legacy, was published in 2011, and her second, The Dream, was published in early 2013. She self-published her third novel, Angelica Died, along with three short stories. She has just released her first work for seven years, a novella, Christmas at Killanara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 2, 2013
Folktales and ballads often recount the fantasy of a fairy abduction or visit to the Otherworld where both reality and time are suspended until the human visitor returns to their own world. Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court give this trope a time-travelling twist by using the story as a means of satirising contemporary mores, perceptions and attitudes. Jill Rowan has given this by now well-worn motif a further twist: her protagonist, Fallady Galbraith, visits a kind of fairyland (the late 18th century), leading her to re-appraise her personal philosophy, her perceptions of life lived then and her attitudes to class, gender issues, education and love. How she copes with the possibility that she mayn't return to 2008 while yet enamoured of her 'fairy lover', a country parson, is the mainspring of the plot and the conflict she has to resolve.
I liked the idea too that the Otherworld (whatever form it takes) involves passing through a metaphysical No Man's Land, symbolised by the story being set in the Welsh Marches in a ruined village which is, in a sense, neither England or Wales, and that this inbetween-state allows one the opportunity to observe the peculiarities of either side of the divide, whether in language, class, gender politics or urban as opposed to rural life.
I'm not the first to see this as an ingenious genre-crossing novel: there are elements not only of romance but also of a comedy of errors, historical observation, science fiction and fantasy, and this mix makes this an unusual but also strangely satisfying debut novel. Strictly speaking I would be surprised at an eighteenth-century country parson's relative liberalism, but this is a minor criticism when balanced against a very readable narrative. Of necessity slow to start with, the novel picks up pace and becomes a real page-turner once Fallady's acceptance of a possible permanent life in the past is established. Jill Rowan has transformed her modern take on the Visit to the Otherworld into a contemplation of what matters most in life, and her conclusion is that it is loving relationships.
But don't assume this is a one-dimensional historical romance; like Twain, Rowan gives the novel added richness by her willingness to suggest contentious notions: is there really a God, is there such a thing as Destiny, and is there intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe? But like a good author she doesn't allow you to presume that the views of her protagonist Fallady are merely that of an alter ego, with a 'message' to impart; after all, this is fiction. And a jolly good read it is.
http://calmgrove.wordpress.com/2013/0...
I liked the idea too that the Otherworld (whatever form it takes) involves passing through a metaphysical No Man's Land, symbolised by the story being set in the Welsh Marches in a ruined village which is, in a sense, neither England or Wales, and that this inbetween-state allows one the opportunity to observe the peculiarities of either side of the divide, whether in language, class, gender politics or urban as opposed to rural life.
I'm not the first to see this as an ingenious genre-crossing novel: there are elements not only of romance but also of a comedy of errors, historical observation, science fiction and fantasy, and this mix makes this an unusual but also strangely satisfying debut novel. Strictly speaking I would be surprised at an eighteenth-century country parson's relative liberalism, but this is a minor criticism when balanced against a very readable narrative. Of necessity slow to start with, the novel picks up pace and becomes a real page-turner once Fallady's acceptance of a possible permanent life in the past is established. Jill Rowan has transformed her modern take on the Visit to the Otherworld into a contemplation of what matters most in life, and her conclusion is that it is loving relationships.
But don't assume this is a one-dimensional historical romance; like Twain, Rowan gives the novel added richness by her willingness to suggest contentious notions: is there really a God, is there such a thing as Destiny, and is there intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe? But like a good author she doesn't allow you to presume that the views of her protagonist Fallady are merely that of an alter ego, with a 'message' to impart; after all, this is fiction. And a jolly good read it is.
http://calmgrove.wordpress.com/2013/0...
January 7, 2015
This was just my sort of book! Pretty cover, time travel, period details (and details that came to matter and tied up nicely in the end), characters with personality, friendships, love that isn't based in infatuation or looks but in character and chemistry, picturesque scenes I could see in my mind's eye (I wanted to picnic with Fallady in the quiet countryside), laugh-out-loud moments, tears, and lack of unnecessarily conflicty interactions for tension. And there was Welsh! :) It was enjoyable - I was smiling early on - and I couldn't put it down, so I read through it in just a couple of days. My ailing concentration has made reading take forever, lately, but this one captured me - and helped me finish a book in the very first week of January! I'm going to have to get hold of Jill's other books. :)
April 8, 2017
I really liked this book! Even more so because I tend to think about time travel alot. I am obsessed with the Tudors and I often wonder what it would be like to slip back there, give out some good medical advice (stop bleeding everyone and wash your damm hands!) and fascinate everyone with my amazing modern knowledge. So this book is basically what I daydream about but in a different time period.
And Fallady brings back the reality that going back in time is not so great if you are a woman. Your opinions don't matter and apart from having kids and doing housework, there is not alot to offer. Plus there are a number of horrible illnesses you can catch and none of the food is refrigerated. But if like Fallady, you meet the love of your life in the past. It all becomes bearable.
This was a really good story that pulled you in and kept you there. There explaining of the time slip was a little out there but I'm willing to forgive it as the rest of the book was awesome. I love that this was a random book I was sent. I had never heard of it and might never have come across it. That would have been a real shame! Thank you Bookcrossing for always introducing me to new amazing reads! :)
And Fallady brings back the reality that going back in time is not so great if you are a woman. Your opinions don't matter and apart from having kids and doing housework, there is not alot to offer. Plus there are a number of horrible illnesses you can catch and none of the food is refrigerated. But if like Fallady, you meet the love of your life in the past. It all becomes bearable.
This was a really good story that pulled you in and kept you there. There explaining of the time slip was a little out there but I'm willing to forgive it as the rest of the book was awesome. I love that this was a random book I was sent. I had never heard of it and might never have come across it. That would have been a real shame! Thank you Bookcrossing for always introducing me to new amazing reads! :)
October 30, 2012
I could not put this book down, an excellent debut novel. I was heartbroken, in fits if giggles and at times in awe of how it was all to work out. Jill Rowan took turns I really wasn't expecting and created real characters. I find it hard to believe that these people are not real. I even learned some welsh. this book has gone from a quick pick book I saw in the library and picked up last minute to a must purchase and read again.
Rowan has also inspired me to go and do that creative writing course I've wanted to undertake for years too.
Rowan has also inspired me to go and do that creative writing course I've wanted to undertake for years too.
October 1, 2016
Jill's a writer whose masterful writer-acuity is set in a seemingly "silly" genre romance, fantasy and high adventure in this perspective changing enlightening tale. Be transported. Go where you may never have gone before. This story rates for me as pretty close to #1 in my stack of favorites ever. If it doesn't seem that way to others it's an amazing book nonetheless.
Especially since the book defies description...
~a no-spoiler review
Especially since the book defies description...
~a no-spoiler review
November 29, 2017
This book had everything that I wanted: good characters (that although I didn't identify myself with them and in some ways they were strange to me, I really fell in love with them), time-traveling (which is one of my favorite topics), romance and humor. But I'm feeling conflicted about the ending *spoiler alert* although as an author I understand why they couldn't stay together, as a reader I was totally disappointed and devastated, that all they got was that short time together, and moreover there were prospects of a relationship with Walter's descendant, which made me feel uncomfortable and kinda betrayed (as much as it's irrational). So by the end, after so many thrilling and exciting, happy moments, I ended up being sad...anyway, all in all, it was a really good book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2011
I got into this book right away and it was hard to put down. I really felt I
knew the characters and although the main male character is described as
'not Colin Firth', I couldn't help but get quite fond of him. It's a
timeslip romance that really pulls on your emotions, with plenty of
surprises and a great ending.
knew the characters and although the main male character is described as
'not Colin Firth', I couldn't help but get quite fond of him. It's a
timeslip romance that really pulls on your emotions, with plenty of
surprises and a great ending.
July 16, 2017
I really did enjoy this book and it was a very quick read. I was tempted to give this 4 stars but I have marked it down to 3 due to the ridiculous nature of the plot.
The main charactrer of the story is Fallady, who has been left a house in the middle of nowhere and moves into it. However, the house comes with ghost servants and then Fallady "falls" into 1779 and is stuck there for quite a few months. Fallady falls in love and gets married but then both her and her husband end up back in 2008. Then they find a weird computer thing but with ancient Greek writing and it turns out her husband has to go back and then at the end it looks like she is going to get with one of her husband's descendants.
It is an extremely odd story and the book does not explain why the machine was built and if it was aliens or God but it is told very humourously and is good fun to read.
I would recommend it as a quick, funny read.
The main charactrer of the story is Fallady, who has been left a house in the middle of nowhere and moves into it. However, the house comes with ghost servants and then Fallady "falls" into 1779 and is stuck there for quite a few months. Fallady falls in love and gets married but then both her and her husband end up back in 2008. Then they find a weird computer thing but with ancient Greek writing and it turns out her husband has to go back and then at the end it looks like she is going to get with one of her husband's descendants.
It is an extremely odd story and the book does not explain why the machine was built and if it was aliens or God but it is told very humourously and is good fun to read.
I would recommend it as a quick, funny read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2016
Really enjoyable read which made me want to read more of this author. Cried at the right bits and thank her for such a gift of a novel.
Moving and enjoyable read
Anyone that likes a different kind of story. Made me want to escape to simpler times and values.
Moving and enjoyable read
Anyone that likes a different kind of story. Made me want to escape to simpler times and values.
October 26, 2015
ahh it started of so well but I cant believe I wasted my time reading this book. It was so far fetched it turned absolutely ridiculously stupid!
March 21, 2025
I love time travel and time slip books but can get a bit weary of how easily the traveller adapts to everything. I roll my eyes a lot then, like how are they not freaking out at the lack of toilets, toothpaste, basic hygiene necessities and food items?? Especially when it’s a woman, the issue around toilets and periods is a HUGE deal!
So this book is refreshing in that it gets as realistic as it possibly can get in a time travel romance. Interesting insights into daily life in the 1700s.
Loved the story and again refreshing that the protagonist wasn’t an annoying “boss bitch”. I found everyone likeable in this book.
It did also make me cry here and there.
Very thoughtfully and lovingly written story.
So this book is refreshing in that it gets as realistic as it possibly can get in a time travel romance. Interesting insights into daily life in the 1700s.
Loved the story and again refreshing that the protagonist wasn’t an annoying “boss bitch”. I found everyone likeable in this book.
It did also make me cry here and there.
Very thoughtfully and lovingly written story.
March 23, 2018
Enjoyable
This is a nice enjoyable easy read.
A retreat from our hectic world. Our Heroine got her escape from the rushed busy imposing life of London in more ways than she could have foreseen. Time travel is it fantasy or a reality. It is at the very least a magic many of us like to believe in. Jill Rowan has woven a good story without over doing the slushy love stuff and as such has shown one that we have much to be greatful for in our lives. The ability to read this book either in print or on our kindle.
I shall look forward to read other works by Jill Rowan.
This is a nice enjoyable easy read.
A retreat from our hectic world. Our Heroine got her escape from the rushed busy imposing life of London in more ways than she could have foreseen. Time travel is it fantasy or a reality. It is at the very least a magic many of us like to believe in. Jill Rowan has woven a good story without over doing the slushy love stuff and as such has shown one that we have much to be greatful for in our lives. The ability to read this book either in print or on our kindle.
I shall look forward to read other works by Jill Rowan.
August 4, 2019
Made it to about page 50 -- the first person voice really grated, and the pacing was glacial. (Interact with some very boring ghosts. Go back into town and whine about ghosts to the locals, who know all about them, but aren't terribly interested. Rinse and repeat ...) Those who loved this book (4+star rating? Really?) will probably tell me I should have stuck around for interesting things to start happening, but ... no.
August 14, 2017
Started very well. Then stretched out and out and out...and reached the stupidest climax.
August 14, 2017
Historical time travel
A surprisingly good novel. Easy to read with some nice touches at the end. Well worth reading,I'm looking forward to her other books.
A surprisingly good novel. Easy to read with some nice touches at the end. Well worth reading,I'm looking forward to her other books.
September 9, 2017
I was intrigued by and loved the front cover of this book. It is a whimsical and very far fetched story but an enjoyable read. I warmed to the characters as the story progressed.
June 13, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable
Always enjoyed time travel books this was especially enjoyable because of the time frame being similar to the play Berkley Square but with a happy ending
Always enjoyed time travel books this was especially enjoyable because of the time frame being similar to the play Berkley Square but with a happy ending
October 20, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. It was very well written, and researched. I found some bits unbelieveable, but other bits made me cry.
October 29, 2016
2.5 out of 5 stars
The Legacy is a novel that flirts with time travel without ever committing to its subject matter. What started off as a decent read as Fallady moves to her recently inherited remote country home and try to adapt being cut off 21st century London soon descends into a farce of a novel; it is disappointing contrast to the strong start and I enjoy a light read but this was a silly story.
The two central characters, Fallady and Walter, were accepting of the strange situation with far too much ease. Jill Rowan has written a modern time travel novel with references to technology and Colin Firth. However, it is the comparisons to the 21st century that also prevented any enjoyment of historical detail. Even Fallady comments how unlike a priest Walter is to her understanding of them because he does not conform to her ideas of his time period. Although an adorable couple Walter was too prepared to protect Fallady from the start and there was no tension in their relationship; Outlander this is not.
One running subplot that prevents The Legacy from being absolutely nauseating were the themes related to feminism and social class. Fallady does feel restrained by the expectations of the time period but by not heeding deference to class or gender this does have a surprising outcome further on. She stands out as a friendly yet beneficent outsider in what is a safe version of history.
How this novel read to me was a brisk, leisurely tour through a different time period before the obligatory big dramatic event happens that marks both the boxes for time travel and romantic clichés.
The Legacy is a novel that flirts with time travel without ever committing to its subject matter. What started off as a decent read as Fallady moves to her recently inherited remote country home and try to adapt being cut off 21st century London soon descends into a farce of a novel; it is disappointing contrast to the strong start and I enjoy a light read but this was a silly story.
The two central characters, Fallady and Walter, were accepting of the strange situation with far too much ease. Jill Rowan has written a modern time travel novel with references to technology and Colin Firth. However, it is the comparisons to the 21st century that also prevented any enjoyment of historical detail. Even Fallady comments how unlike a priest Walter is to her understanding of them because he does not conform to her ideas of his time period. Although an adorable couple Walter was too prepared to protect Fallady from the start and there was no tension in their relationship; Outlander this is not.
One running subplot that prevents The Legacy from being absolutely nauseating were the themes related to feminism and social class. Fallady does feel restrained by the expectations of the time period but by not heeding deference to class or gender this does have a surprising outcome further on. She stands out as a friendly yet beneficent outsider in what is a safe version of history.
How this novel read to me was a brisk, leisurely tour through a different time period before the obligatory big dramatic event happens that marks both the boxes for time travel and romantic clichés.
February 10, 2019
Lovely Read .
This was such a pleasure to read , I really enjoyed it . Time travel unrealistic yes , but this novel is pure escapism , takes you away from the hectic reality of everyday life . I loved the fact that the central characters were older and not the usual stereotype beautiful people so often depicted in romantic novels . An adult fairy tale would perhaps be the best way of describing this book . The story is set in 1779 and 2008 and allows you to fully appreciate the luxuries we take for granted today .
This was such a pleasure to read , I really enjoyed it . Time travel unrealistic yes , but this novel is pure escapism , takes you away from the hectic reality of everyday life . I loved the fact that the central characters were older and not the usual stereotype beautiful people so often depicted in romantic novels . An adult fairy tale would perhaps be the best way of describing this book . The story is set in 1779 and 2008 and allows you to fully appreciate the luxuries we take for granted today .
December 31, 2019
Book 114 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019
A remarkable timeslot tale of new beginnings
Once I started reading this wonderful story I simply could not put it down. The characters are all very likeable, well except for the detestable shop assistant and I don't feel I got to know really why she looked down on Fallady. Very highly recommended
A remarkable timeslot tale of new beginnings
Once I started reading this wonderful story I simply could not put it down. The characters are all very likeable, well except for the detestable shop assistant and I don't feel I got to know really why she looked down on Fallady. Very highly recommended
October 14, 2013
I liked it! It was an enjoyable, hard to put down, read. I thought that the writing style was a little odd at times, but for a first novel it was quite impressive. I look forward to reading more books by this author. :)
February 13, 2016
No Staying Power
Interesting concept, but carried out very drably. There wasn't enough depth. All the characters were rather flat. I was looking for a book with some meat on the bone.
Interesting concept, but carried out very drably. There wasn't enough depth. All the characters were rather flat. I was looking for a book with some meat on the bone.
March 20, 2012
A very good debut novel with a dual timeline theme... with a difference.
July 14, 2016
wonderful book.
Easy reading
I was pleasantly Surprised. Some chapters were very romantic and dreamy but sad in some chapters.
I have a!ready recommend this book to friends.
Easy reading
I was pleasantly Surprised. Some chapters were very romantic and dreamy but sad in some chapters.
I have a!ready recommend this book to friends.
Read
July 17, 2016Good read
Quite like this author. Read a few of her books now all enjoyable. Will be reading more from this author
Quite like this author. Read a few of her books now all enjoyable. Will be reading more from this author
October 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this. Of course it's make believe about time travel etc but well written and just to my taste, happy to try more by the same author.
January 7, 2017
I absolutely loved this story. Perfect for curling up on sofa with a glass of your favourite tipple.
May 8, 2016
Loved this book could hardly put it down
Read
September 22, 2018This was terribly trashy but I seriously loved the first two thirds or so... after that it just started getting weird and annoying, with the pace increasing rapidly and some unsatisfying explanations. It’s a shame, though I can see myself returning to the cute, ridiculous bits set in the 18th century.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews