An old house uncovers secrets of its past occupants
Willard Manor is a fictional house built in 1840, home to the Willard family who lived there for one hundred seventy years. A young couple, Shelley and Tony Maguire, buy the vacant, rundown house and begin to renovate it. During the renovation process, the little treasures they find within its walls help them piece together the history of the house and its former occupants—from the Civil War to Woodstock and beyond. The Willard’s legacy of love, laughter, pain, and joy echo down through the years with each new find.
This is the story of two trees—a family tree and an apple tree, growing side by side. Over the years, the generations of the Willard family and young Thomas Willard’s apple tree are tested, yet both prove to be strong and resilient.
Willard Manor –home to one family, one faith, and many generations.
Excerpt
The turn of the century arrived with fireworks and prayer services. Outside, it was spitting snow. David, home for the winter break, knew just how he wanted to celebrate. A few minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve, two of his classmates from Yale gathered with him outside the house and helped him tie Roman candles to the old privy that was no longer in use. When all was ready, at nearly midnight, he went inside and called his parents, Ruth, and Henry to come watch. With everyone assembled in the backyard in their nightclothes, David lit the Roman candles and quickly ran back to safety. First came a good amount of crackling, popping, and sizzling and then the candles burst into flames and lit up the sky, setting the privy on fire. The group watched in amazement as the privy burned to the ground amidst fireworks to rival any public display. David howled with laughter. “Did you see that? Yahoo! Helloo 1900!”
Benjamin put his arm around Esther and gave her a tender squeeze. “Well, old girl, looks like it’s a new era."
Professional Reviews
The writing was excellent and the main characters quite engagingly portrayed
Overall, this was an enjoyable book. My primary reason for giving 4* was the somewhat contrived nature of the story. A young couple buy a house, built in 1840, and lived in by successive generations until 2010. In renovating it, they find mementos with just enough information to tantalize them into wondering about what actually happened years ago. At each discovery, the narration transitions to the relevant time in the family’s history, and in a chronological progression so that the reader becomes acquainted with the principal members in each generation. The writing was excellent and the main characters quite engagingly portrayed, though always in relation to a particular aspect of the historical time in question; e.g., the arrival of a new appliance, or an early model-T car, as well as births, marriages and deaths. The descriptions of life in the 1800s in particular are quite authentic and one certainly gets a strong sense of daily life at that particular time
New twist on America's History!
Willard Manor, a fictional house in Connecticut, was built in the 1800s by an English immigrant. Linda Loegel weaves a poignant story using 'The Manor' as a focal point as a twenty-first century couple purchase the house from an heir of the Willard family and find artifacts that help reveal the family's story from the mid-1800s through present day. I loved the way Loegel follows the family through significant events and inventions of American history. In fact, it made me wish that I had taken the time to learn more about my own family history. If you enjoy historical fiction, you won't want to miss WILLARD MANOR by Linda Loegel.
A Wholesome Book That Keeps Your Attention
This was a great book to read and kept my interest throughout the entire story. It starts out quietly and simply, but picks up speed as you are introduced to a number of characters as new owners. It is a wholesome book and feeds your soul in a positive manner. This book leaves you wanting even more stories about Willard Manor.
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