"Marianne Perry weaves a very vivid tale that might
well have happened hundreds of times over the centuries."
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The Inheritance
The Inheritance tells the story of a family disintegrating from
conflicting loyalties in Calabria, southern Italy. Set during the period
1897 to 1913, the region was subject to earthquakes and tsunamis; the
land was harsh and poverty the norm. Superstition clashed with religion
and a class system ruled the people. Calabria is the perfect backdrop
for the tragedy that unfolds in The Inheritance.
Caterina is an atypical woman, and The Inheritance chronicles her
life from birth to young womanhood. Born with an inheritance of loss
into a society that has predetermined what she can and cannot do, she
vows to live a life of her choosing. Caterina refuses to allow the
limits of her gender, the constraints of her class and the demands
imposed by those in power to stand in her way. Caterina remains
steadfast in her commitment to become the woman she imagines. Her
decisions ignite conflicts and fuel a chain of events that result in
dire consequences for all whose path she crosses.
Publication Date: November 28, 2012
Formats: eBook, Paperback, Hard Cover
Pages: 280
Genre: Historical Fiction/RomanceFormats: eBook, Paperback, Hard Cover
Pages: 280
“Like a classic star-crossed love story, the novel is written with
lush detail enriched with both likable and loathsome characters. In
particular, Perry builds strong and decisive female characters. Although
the key action doesn’t occur until the final chapters, Perry’s
exquisite descriptions will transport readers back to the time and place
of Lorenzo and Caterina’s romance-the brilliant colors in villa
gardens, the smells and tastes of decadent food, and the menacing sounds
of the ocean during an earthquake. After the engrossing storylines come
to an abrupt end, a cliff-hanger will leave readers anxious for a
sequel to continue Lorenzo and Caterina’s tragic story. Solid characters
and vivid imagery capture the mood, traditions and uncertainty of the
time.” – Kirkus Reviews, December 7, 2012
“The premise for The Inheritance was inspired by the author’s
genealogical research in Calabria, Italy. Marianne Perry’s research trip
to Cosenza province is obvious in her vivid descriptions of the setting
of “The Inheritance”. The landscape, colours, culture, native food,
plants and flowers, and even the weather are all vibrantly
described……Perry deftly weaves secrets and betrayals throughout the
entire book, not only among the two families but the supporting
characters, as well….Marianne Perry weaves a very vivid tale that might
well have happened hundreds of times over the centuries. “The
Inheritance” will definitely make you think about how our ancestors came
to be aboard a transatlantic vessel for a perilous three week voyage to
being a new life.” – Amanda Morehouse, The Ontario-Canada Genealogical
Society, August 2014
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5 Questions for Marianne Perry
What are five things people may not know
about you?
1. I have explored every continent in our
world.
2. I was 51 the first time I backpacked in
Europe.
3. My Nana (Grandmother) Caterina emigrated
from southern Italy in 1913 eventually settling in Canada and I am the first of
her bloodline to visit the mountain village where she was born.
4. I have a black Libra-horoscope tattoo on
my left leg above the ankle.
5. My beloved pet, a Golden Retriever named
Ranger, died forty years ago and I still have his dog tag in my jewellery box.
Why did you write The Inheritance?
Family mysteries intrigue me and I wanted
to understand why my Nana (Grandmother) Caterina left Calabria, southern Italy
as a young woman in 1913 and never returned. We had a large family yet no one
knew much about her early life so I started genealogical research. I
investigated family history, traveled to Calabria and went to the mountain
village where she was born. I solved the mystery and though The Inheritance is
historical fiction/romance, my discoveries inspired the story.
What is your favourite non-writing pastime?
Taking photographs! I snap tons during my
travels plus keep a camera/smartphone with me to capture unexpected magical
moments. I blog about genealogy, travel and writing on my website and I post
photos from around the world reflecting the entries. I took the picture of the
crumbling stone cottage on the cover of The Inheritance when I was
exploring Calabria, southern Italy studying family history and researching this
book.
I love this photograph of the Cheetah with
her two-month cub and snapped it when my husband and I were on safari in Masai
Mara, Kenya, East Africa.
Where do you write?
I have a den dedicated to writing and
genealogical research with windows fronting Lake Superior. I believe in
positive energy and am selective as to whom I allow to enter the room. I’ve
also handpicked every item in it and the space honours cherished family
photographs, treasured mementos, travel memorabilia and favourite books.
This photograph is of me and a Maasai
artist was taken in Tanzania, east Africa when my husband and I were on safari.
She made the beaded necklace I am holding and I’ve displayed it on the wall beside
my desk in my den.
The Author
Family, genealogical research and travel
are Marianne Perry’s priorities. A second-generation Canadian-Italian, she
authored The Inheritance, a
historical fiction/romance set in Calabria, southern Italy from 1897 to 1913
inspired by her grandmother’s early life. Marianne holds a Master of Education Degree
from The University of Western Ontario (Canada) and was a member of the Board
of Trustees, the Canadian National Arts Centre Corporation. The mother of two
grown children, she and her husband have travelled to every continent in the
world. They live on Lake Superior in Northern Ontario, Canada and have a trip
to Iceland planned. Marianne continues to research family history and write
genealogical articles for North American publications. She is also working on
another novel.
Marianne blogs about genealogy, travel, family and writing on her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Goodreads.
Welcome to Books & Benches, Marianne! I love your photos from your time in Africa; I've always wanted to go. I enjoy genealogical research as well, though don't get to it often enough. I like that you used your own family's history to inspire the story and events.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring The Inheritance on Books & Benches. Your support is much appreciated and I'm thrilled you liked my photos. I set my stories in places I've explored so there might be a novel in Africa sometime in the future. Blessings always and thank you again.
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