Heritage

by Frances Parkinson Keyes

Peter Bradford had not intended to fall in love on his journey to Ireland. But from the moment he caught sight of the lovely stranger in his railway carriage, he knew he had to have her.
He did not know then that she was already entangled in his life - or that her own desires would shape his future in a way the he never dreamed.
In sheer storytelling magic, no writer of our time can surpass the spellbinding power of Frances Parkinson Keyes. In THE HERITAGE she has created a haunting and suspenseful tale of romance and intrigue that brings to vivid life the richness and excitement of nineteenth-century Ireland – a proud, turbulent land of legends and wild dreams.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, 19th Century

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Frances Parkinson Keyes was an American author who wrote about her life as the wife of a U.S. Senator and novels set in New England, Louisiana, and Europe. A convert to Roman Catholicism, her later works frequently featured Catholic themes and beliefs. Her last name rhymes with "skies," not "keys."

Reviews

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

So dated, so improbable, yet clearly very memorable as I suddenly started remembering the story and had to dash instantly to the library for it! Set a generation earlier than Downton Abbey but with some of the same issues regarding the heir of a noteworthy estate. She includes a few mentions of Charles Stewart Parnell for his fans.

See review http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book by this author in a month. Keyes does a fabulous job of showing the depth of characters' choices when they make emotional decisions that aren't always the best and how it effects everyone in their circle. Well done.

[Veronica Mccrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book it is one of my favorits of all time.;)

[Diann Boehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read! Fun to read a clean love story!

[Marie Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Heritage because it takes place in Ireland in the 1800's. I especially liked the way the two main characters met and how that affected the rest of the book!

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again an author I always meant to read came through with a sterling experience. And, I enjoyed how she came to write this particular novel which is explained at its close. However, here is a brief about her effort.

Peter Bradford, American, finds himself heading for Ireland where an uncle had named him as his heir. En route he meets a beautiful young woman and they spend nights of passion together but she disappears. After a fruitless search, Peter continues his trip. When he arrives at the estate he inherited he finds the beautiful young woman was his uncle's wife. With everyone in deep grief neither can acknowledge their love for each other. Frustrated, he focuses on his new life as the Earl of Cloneen where he finds that Irish life is both stimulating and challenging. Struggling to learn how to manage an Irish estate, Peter works hard to gain the trust of those who live in the community from those who care for the stud and riding horses to a lawyer friend who is in love with the countess, too. Just one problem arises. The countess is pregnant with, of course, Peter's child.

The story unwinds in a delightful way leading the reader into the lives of Peter, his sister, Janet, the Countess and others. It's so good and so well written. I quite enjoyed it.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago and had it in my library, so I reread it this month. I realized how different we write now from them. It was a riveting story when I first read it and was less so now (I skimmed a lot). I guess we no longer have patience to read a lot about the process of feelings and background context. The story was no less riveting, but somewhat implausible.

If you don't mind reading what I have mentioned above, read this one. If you can happily skim, read it. There are some interesting pieces of historical interest.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a book with the setting in Ireland.

[Lori Nemitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read between January & June 1983.

Original notes on book from 1983: Super book! Very enjoyable, accurate history, etc.

[Beth Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found at The Strand in NYC, and what a treasure! The introduction about the writing of the book is as good as the book itself! Human and typically romantic for FPK, look at Ireland during the time of the troubles.

[Renia]

The most boring book I ever read.