1、英语专业读书报告Reading Report on The Landower LegacyThe novel The Landower Legacy, written by a famous English writer Victoria Holt, is a romantic and famous masterpiece. The version I have read was twelfth printing by Ballantine Books in 1991.I. About the AuthorVictoria Holt(September 1, 1906- January 18,
2、 1993), famous novelist describing the old castle. Victoria Holt, her original name is Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert. She was born in London, during her fifty years of writing, there are more than 150 novels published. In her novels, she always use old castle as background, in everyone?s impression,
3、 old castle in England, always related with suspense strongly. Victoria Holt says, “Never regret. If its good, its wonderful. If its bad, its experience.”Since now, Victoria Holt has created a large number of love stories, main works, such as Mistress of Mellyn, The King of the Castle, The Queen?s C
4、onfession, The Landower Legacy. Popular fiction belongs to her special style.1960, she wrote Mistress of Mellyn. It mainly introduced that Martha Leigh and her sister has a happy childhood, but after their parents death they go to live with an aunt. They have a “season” and Marthas sister manages to
5、 find a good husband. But Martha doesnt, and is forced to take up the job of a gove.1962, she wrote Kirkland Revels. Kirkland Revels loomed high above the wild and eerie Yorkshire moors like a brooding stone fortress. To some there was an atmosphere of evil about the place, but to innocent young bri
6、de Catherine Rockwell, the mansion seemed magnificently romantic. She did not know then of the terrible secrets imprisoned behind its massive walls. Or that at the moment she had entered her new home, she had crossed the threshold of terror.1963, she wrote Bride of Pendorric. Favel Farington knew ve
7、ry little about her new husband. When they met in Capri, the dashing young heir to Pendorric had swept the lovely English girl into marriage with the sudden fierceness of a summer storm. It was all wonderfully exciting, until Favel discovered that someone was planning a very special place for her in
8、 the family - in the crypt with the other legendary “brides of Pendorric” who had all died so mysteriously, so tragically, and so young.1967, she wrote The King of the CastleDallas. Lawson is a young woman who learns painting and other forms of art from her father. When her father dies, she decides
9、to take over his business restoring old paintings. She arrives at Chateau Gaillard where her father had been hired to restore.Also, there are many other masterpieces existed now. In a word, there is a common character in her plot. Often the content is divided some parts.1. The woman tutor, the leadi
10、ng lady is related this position or she has desire to get this job.2. Being suspicious, although the leading lady loves the hero, she keeps suspicious in every aspect to prevent the harm of the hero.3. Being full of adventure, history and professional knowledge.In addition, she also use another pen
11、name, Jean Plaidy. Through this name, she has created a series of family stories mainly about English history.Even ten years after her death, Jean Plaidy has an enormous fan base, and now thatsome of her books are back in print, it appears to be growing. More than fifty-six million copies of Victori
12、a Holt novels have been sold worldwide, and there are more than fourteen million copies of Jean Plaidy and more than three million copies of Philippa Carr stories in print.II. A Summary of the NovelGreen-eyed Caroline Tressidor seems to have the whole world before her, until the long-heralded occasi
13、on of Queen Victoria?s Golden Jubilee. When an exuberant Caroline views the magnificent royal procession with her mother and her handsome friend, the dashing Captain Carmichael, she inadvertently exposes a secret that will change all their lives.From that moment on, nothing is the same. Caroline wat
14、ches her promising future dissolve, without knowing why. Determined to discover the truth, Caroline begins a search that will take her from the grandeur of Lndon?s society to the wild moors of Cornwall, a quest that will pit her against her shy, pretty sister and the rules of a stern Victorian socie
15、ty. It is an adventure that will also propel her into the arms of the dark, mysterious Paul Landower. Trapped in his own past, he may be he man of her dreams, unless his past included a legacy of murder.But according to many reasons, what the most important reason was that her father required. So sh
16、e must left Cornwall. Olivia was so happy for the return of the sister. But Olivia was busy with stepping into the society. However, Caroline was sternly restricted, in an other word, she was eager. According her aggressive personality, she jumped at a chance to persuade Olivia to take part in the p
17、arty. During the party, she met a man called Jeremy, a avaricious man, he loved Caroline?s property, he loved her station of family in the society. But the only thing, he missed her and married with her elder sister, Olivia. Meanwhile, Caroline?s daddy was dead, after it ,the lawyer told Caroline th
18、at she had no right to go on with her father?s property. She became a poor girl. Suddenly, the girl lost everything, including her love. She became hesitated, she didn?t believe others, until the presence of Paul. Just as Caroline realized she had found her happy life, but other news came, Paul had
19、been married by another girl. When Caroline knew that Paul betrayed her, she became corrupted. Cousin Mary supported her all the time. In end, after cousin Mary?s careful attention, Caroline resumed herself. And, because cousin Mary loved the girl and gave all the manors to her. Both of their kindne
20、ss moved the planter Jamie, a man full of suspense, he always said that he had a brother and the brother often wanted to kill him. When he knew the story of Caroline, he warned her to be far away from Paul. At last, Miss. Paul found her secret, so he killed her. Actually, he was her brother, they ar
21、e one person.At the end of the story, Caroline lived happily with Paul. They love themselves.III. My views on the bookFrom my perspective, the landower legacy is really worth savoring. It is a successful realism fiction. It?s not a romance novelit?s a novel with romance in it. The writer has not use
22、 any special methods or ways, but she pays more attention to the details. When I read it ,I feel excited, and the plot often takes me to a new world. The story seems a real experience of the writer and the spirit described by the writer. From the story, I can easily recognize that the expression the
23、 writer wants to show.The roles in her story will have a complex relation, and they also show the modern society in middle 20 century. The roles, some of them are full of love, some of them are full of hesitate, some of them are full of kindness, some of them are full of coldblooedness. They betray others naturally, and express the real love any time.
