The Legacy of Shame by David Hough
Publication date: 18 March 2013
Format: Amazon Kindle (Please note: you don't need a Kindle reader to read this book - you can download it from Amazon onto your computer/ipad/iphone) |
In the sleepy Dorset village of Hampton Warlock, Douglas Hadleigh mistakenly opens a letter addressed to his wife. The contents reopen old wounds and bring back memories of a tragedy from the past.
So begins an emotional journey that will take Douglas around the world to Australia and, later, see him embark on a hazardous trek into the Amazon rainforest. Along the way he will learn more of his wife’s secret past as well as the horrors experienced by a young girl lost in the heart of the jungle. This book is part of the Family Legacy trilogy. Find out more about the other books: The Legacy of Conflict The Legacy of Secrets Find our more about David and his books (#ads)
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What the readers say
"It's unusual these days, to read a book which has a good storyline and one which holds the reader's interest from start to finish. This book has those qualities."
"It will break your heart and open your mind."
"An enjoyable read and a study of the human condition in facing one's worst fears. Recommended for anyone who likes stories of the heart."
"Mr. Hough has succeeded in creating a soul-stirring novel."
"Don't miss this extraordinary emotional journey. I promise you won't be disappointed."
"This book touched me beyond imagination. It touches every emotion a reader could possibly feel. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read stories that are strong, captivating and very real."
"Be warned: this book will grip you and won't let you out of its grip even after you've finished reading it... The book is full of surprises, twists and turns. It keeps you guessing until the end."
"Mr Hough’s book has all the characteristics I look for in a great book. He has succeeded in creating a strong emotional connection to the reader. The well-developed three dimensional characters will draw you into their world, allowing you to be a part of their soul searching journey while feeling their pain as they face internal, heart wrenching conflicts."
"I highly recommend this page-turner, with its exotic, dangerous setting, and its deep, memorable characters."
"It will break your heart and open your mind."
"An enjoyable read and a study of the human condition in facing one's worst fears. Recommended for anyone who likes stories of the heart."
"Mr. Hough has succeeded in creating a soul-stirring novel."
"Don't miss this extraordinary emotional journey. I promise you won't be disappointed."
"This book touched me beyond imagination. It touches every emotion a reader could possibly feel. I recommend it to anyone who likes to read stories that are strong, captivating and very real."
"Be warned: this book will grip you and won't let you out of its grip even after you've finished reading it... The book is full of surprises, twists and turns. It keeps you guessing until the end."
"Mr Hough’s book has all the characteristics I look for in a great book. He has succeeded in creating a strong emotional connection to the reader. The well-developed three dimensional characters will draw you into their world, allowing you to be a part of their soul searching journey while feeling their pain as they face internal, heart wrenching conflicts."
"I highly recommend this page-turner, with its exotic, dangerous setting, and its deep, memorable characters."
David's thoughts on The Legacy of Shame
How would you describe this book?
This book is an emotional tour-de-force. A publisher said of it, "It will open your mind and break your heart." That’s what I intended from the start. You have to be very hard-hearted not to be emotionally affected by this story.
Where did the idea for this book come from?
I read a couple of non-fiction books about Amazon rainforest tribes only belatedly making contact with Western civilisation. Somewhere along the line I read about a couple of explorers who took their child with them on an expedition into the jungle. Suppose those adults were killed, I thought, what would happen to the child? And, out of that, I had the inspiration for a story.
Did the story end up where you thought it would when you started writing?
As far as the novel goes, yes. I didn’t start writing the book until I knew what was going to happen all along the line. Like all my novels, I needed a clear idea of where I was going before I started writing.
However, I didn’t actually start with the book. I began with a short story which won second prize in a competition. The adjudicator told me he really wanted to know what happened next. That gave me the impetus to get on with the complete novel.
Which character in this book did you enjoy writing the most?
The girl who was lost in the jungle is the most interesting character in this novel. She is very self-reliant, but suffers such appalling misfortunes that you cannot help but feel for her.
I tried – and I think I succeeded – making the other characters three-dimensional people with their various motivations and hang-ups. But it is that girl in the jungle who captures the reader’s imagination. One reviewer on Amazon wrote, "I read the book over a week ago and I am still thinking about the characters and what happened to them." My guess is that his thoughts are centred on that girl and all that she went through.