Liebe auf Schloß Lynmara. Roman.

by Catherine Gaskin

Lovely Anna escapes a life of poverty in Russia by coming to America, only to find that her dreams are shattered by circumstances which seek to destroy the one thing she has love for her daughter and a desperate desire to ensure her daughter does not suffer as she did.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, British Literature, Novels, Historical, Mystery, Gothic

Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Catherine Gaskin (2 April 1929 – 6 September 2009) historical fiction and romantic suspense.

She was born in Dundalk Bay, Louth, Ireland in 1929. When she was only three months old, her parents moved to Australia, settling in Coogee, a suburb of Sydney, where she grew up. Her first novel This Other Eden, was written when she was 15 and published two years later. After her second novel, With Every Year, was published, she moved to London. Three best-sellers followed: Dust in Sunlight (1950), All Else is Folly (1951), and Daughter of the House (1952). She completed her best known work, Sara Dane, on her 25th birthday in 1954, and it was published in 1955. It sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into a number of other languages, and was made into a television series in Australia in 1982. Other novels included A Falcon for the Queen (1972) and The Summer of the Spanish Woman (1977).

Catherine Gaskin moved to Manhattan for ten years, after marrying an American. She then moved to the Virgin Islands, then in 1967 to Ireland, where she became an Irish citizen. She also lived on the Isle of Man. Her last novel was The Charmed Circle (1988). She then returned to Sydney, where she died in September 2009, aged 80, of ovarian cancer.

Reviews

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was born in Dundalk Bay, County Louth, Ireland in 1929. When she was only three months old, her parents moved to Australia, settling in Coogee, a suburb of Sydney, where she grew up. Her first novel This Other Eden, was written when she was 15 and published two years later. After her second novel, With Every Year, was published, she moved to London. Three best-sellers followed: Dust in Sunlight (1950), All Else is Folly (1951), and Daughter of the House (1952)She completed her best-known work, Sara Dane, on her 25th birthday in 1954, and it was published in 1955. It sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into a number of other languages, and was made into a television mini-series in Australia in 1982. This novel is loosely based on the life of the Australian convict businesswoman Mary Reibey, whose image has appeared on the Australian $20 note since 1994. Other novels included A Falcon for a Queen (1972) and The Summer of the Spanish Woman (1977).Gaskin moved to Manhattan for ten years, after marrying a United States citizen. She then moved to the Virgin Islands, then in 1967 to Ireland, where she became an Irish citizen. She also lived on the Isle of Man. Her last novel was The Charmed Circle (1988). She then returned to Sydney, where she died in September 2009, aged 80, from ovarian cancer.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps Gaskin's best - an unforgettable novel of love and pain and family, set in America and England between the wars, and then in England during WWII, with the haunting strains of Fur Elise in the background...

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vintage romance published in 1975, set in the 1930s and 40s, including WWII. Somewhat of a family saga, this story follows the life of Anna Rainard, who emigrates from Russia to England, then, after the death of her husband, to America where she raises her daughter Nicole alone. Nicole is then summoned back to England by the will of a grandfather she has never met and given a season in London to make a match. After turning London on its head, she falls in love with surgeon Lloyd Fenton. The story centres around Nicole but also the Lynmara estate she comes to love. The relationship between mother and daughter is mainly cold and distant. They are both strong, ambitious, although not necessarily likeable characters. The book is gripping for the most part although there were sections that felt too melodramatic for me.

[Paula Galvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have owned this book since it was published in 1975. Glad I finally got around to reading it. Talk about strong women-this story is certainly full of them. First Anna Rainard, a very headstrong, independent woman, who migrates from England to America after the death of her first husband amid the great depression, and raises her daughter, Nicole, alone. Second, Nicole, who is brought back to England (by a grandfather she has never met) under conditions of his will. Nicole, having lacked a warm upbringing by her mother, is also determined to make her own way, following in her mother's footsteps, until she falls in love and marries Lloyd Fenton, a surgeon. Finally happy, her world is torn apart by WWII and she again finds herself having to make her own way. In the background of this lavishly painted epic romance is the alluring Lymara, a centuries-old estate that becomes her final home and ultimate love. Nicole is not always likable in this story, but she is a woman we can all admire for her endurance and fierce family loyalty.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read one of Catherine Gaskin’s books when I was young. I recently came across The Lynmara Legacy and decided to give it a read.

It is a compelling novel. It captured me from the beginning. I wasn’t sure which way the book was heading at any time. There were scenarios that I thought would continue but things changed in the space of a few paragraphs and would send me reeling but also reaching for the book until I finished it.

It’s not often a book stays with me for weeks after I read it but this one has. There are elements that will continue to be part of my thoughts for a long, long time.

It’s a story about surviving against odds. It is the story of two brave women, mother and daughter. The point of view changes between the two with the daughter having the bulk of the novel. Still, the mother was someone I related to in some ways.

I recommend the book for anyone to read. It is on the long side but, when I finished, I wished I could continue on and read what happened next in the lives of the characters.

[Isabella ⸙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this thinking that it was just a historical romance novel, but it's so much more than that! It's the coming-of-age story of the intense and enigmatic Nicole and how her fate is ultimately entwined with that of Lynmara.

To my surprise, I found myself really, really enjoying the book. I fell in love with the characters and wept when some died (most of the novel takes place during the Second World War, so no surprises there). I personally think that the book is mistitled. I don't think Lynmara plays a large enough role to be the unifying factor, but other than that, everything else ties together beautifully.

Not only are the characters compelling (bonus points for strong female leads!), but The Lynmara Legacy is historically interesting as well. This would make a delicious mini-series, or even movie - can someone please adapt it? XD

[Katherine Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I picked this book up at a used book sale because Catherine Gaskin is a favorite author of my mother and the book features a house from the Elizabethan era. This is a meaty story about a mother-daughter during the first part of the 20th century. I enjoyed reading it a lot. Themes of national origin and allegiance, the value of hard work, and what family really means. Good section on the beginnings of WWII. The only things that keep it from 5 stars are too many characters, main characters who were not altogether likable, and some unrealistic plot points. (I mean, who really inherits that much money from multiple sources?) Overall, I liked it and will seek out more of Gaskin's work.

[Jo-Ann Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gaskin has a deft hand and covers a lot of territory, including British society, the beginning of anti-Anglo unrest in Ireland and the first hint of Irish terrorism, WWI from the vantage point of the British and Americans in Britain, American East Coast society, not to mention the end of the Russian aristocracy, the Russian personality and culture unto itself and ultimately why it is always safer to marry for money if you don't have it, and marry for love when you do.

[Mahdieh Davoudabadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتابو واسه این خوندم که چون قبلاً سه تا کتاب دیگه با ترجمه ابراهیم یونسی خونده بودم که عالی بودن و میدونستم که چهارمیش هم اگه عالی نباشه بد هم نیست.
داستان این کتاب اصلا اونجوری که من میخاستم پیش نمی‌رفت و تا آخرش هم همین بود 😁 به هر حال شاید اینجوری واقعی تر هم بود ... شاید یه نویسنده دیگه داستان این مادر و دختر جدا افتاده از همو یه جور دیگه ادامه داد .
ولی خیلی عجیبه اکس مامانت بشه شوهرت 🤭

[ANGELIA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts were good, but all that obsession over a house got on my nerves! It tells you something about human nature (and not something good) that people can come and go in and out of your life and no big deal, you can lose someone you truly loved and still survive, but Heaven forbid you lose brick and mortar!

I was hoping the whole damn place would burn to the ground, no such luck!

[CNickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read that covered an interesting period of history

I liked the contrasts in characters and lifestyles, the surprises and the views of American and British life. Nice journey through time.

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Jewel

What a wonderful tale of family pride. War, romance, twists and turns of delightful surprise. This writer leaves meaning in each sentence! No rushing through this book. Looking forward to more!

[MRS HELEN M BASEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book - Disappointing End.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. However I was left feeling cheated the ending was so abrupt and left the long and fascinating saga incomplete.

[Mawsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

What a great author, the story was never boring or repetitive. The characters all interesting with different stories to tell. So Looking forward to reading more of her books.😊.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this author very much and I enjoyed this book… until about the last quarter of it during the war years. It felt rushed was just boring. It was an abrupt change as, until that period when the war started, it was very good and then it just became a real chore to finish.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complicated, convoluted plot, a cast of many, but a decent read anyway. Solid writing, of course.

[Susan]

1931-1942 NYC and London, and Paris about a young girl, the London Season, and WWII

[GenX · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry, slow story. Hard to stick at it but managed to reach the end.

[Mrs Helen S. Ogden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative

Good read
Some places were quite slow and the ending galloped on at a a pace as though the author was getting bored with the characters.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was pleasantly surprised by this Gaskin novel. Right down to the last chapter your wondering how exactly Lynmara will be the theme of this book. I was surprised by the ending!

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her best, essentially just a romance novel, as are many of hers, but the story line weaker than most. Still for the most park a pretty pleasant read.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole lives a lonely life at boarding school and sees her mom on vacations. When she turns 16, she discovers the truth about her mother’s past and present. She travels to England, falls in love and returns to America. Realistic, touching story of mother and daughter. (Read years ago.)

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another WW2 English novel

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story. Catherine is a good writer of human characters. The style dates a little and there is too much emphasis on "being I love". However it's still a good read.

[Veronica Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

(A)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her best books.