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A Dubious Legacy

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A Dubious Legacy

By: Mary Wesley
Narrated by: Anna Massey
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About this listen

Henry Tillotson, a generous, genial man, rescues Margaret from a disastrous marriage in Egypt and brings her home to the West Country as his new wife. On the threshold she gives him a black eye and retires straight to bed where she remains, apart from the occasional malevolent outburst, for the rest of her life.

Over the years, two young couples become regular if uneasy houseguests, listening, speculating, keeping a watchful eye on Margaret’s door until finally, piecing together the gossip, the rumours and the mystery, they find themselves tangled in the web of Henry’s life.

©1992 Mary Wesley (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Fiction Marriage Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  
Really good book, well written and hood plot. Keeps you guessing to the end even if the truth not spelt out

A winding story over several generation’s

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Anna Massey’s variation in volume and tone causes word endings to disappear and can often sound harsh in male conversations. I rewound one short section three times but still didn’t get it. Maybe time to refresh and re-record using a different narrator.

It kept my Interest

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Great performance by the amazing Anna Massey
Quirky style, always engaging, never dull for long

Classic Mary Wesley

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Utterly brilliant. Charming and beautifully drawn characters. One to listen to time and time again.

Delightful story

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This is just what you would hope for, and expect from Mary Wesley. Every character is fleshed out and explained fully. The story is set post World War II and centres around the lovelife of Henry Tillotson and Cotteshaw, the house and farm he owns. I was pleased that Calypso is also part of the story, having loved her from the Camomile Lawn.

Every character has a story

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Mary Wesley has no time for those of delicatel sensibilities, she's acerbic and mordantly funny, and her characters are frequently horrid to each other. Her books are sort of Aga sagas for cynics. Most enjoyable.

Anna Massey is a good reader too - very expressive and the voices of different characters can be easily distinguish.

Not for the sentimental

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I love Mary Wesley especially when read by Anna Massey. It's an escape back into the not too distant past. A very easy listen with interesting characters.

a relaxing listen

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There are definitely better Mary Wesley books than this one but her writing is just so enjoyable that I loved it anyway - every one of her stories washes over you and Anna Massey’s narration just suits it PERFECTLY. Can’t wait for the next.

Gentle, reliable and enjoyable

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Would you try another book written by Mary Wesley or narrated by Anna Massey?

This is the first time I've written a bad review but this was dreadful. Anna Massey reads all her books like an old black and white movie, sometimes it works but after a while it just grates. This story was fragmented and unbelievable and sooooo boring.

What was most disappointing about Mary Wesley’s story?

There wasn't no real story to speak of and it was very boring

How did the narrator detract from the book?

By trying to read it like an old movie, clipped tones and monotone expressionless voice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Boredom

Any additional comments?

I have an eclectic taste in books and will try anything but just couldn't stick with this one. I have read a couple of her other books and quite enjoyed them.

Absultely dreadful hung in there for ten chapters

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