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portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
The Memory Tree was previously published as The Trysting Tree, a title I rather like. The trees in the book link the stories within, having stood in the grounds of the grand house Beechgrave witnessing the courting (or trysting) couples who have sought to conceal their meetings over the years. Indeed, it is the trees who sometimes reveal some of the secrets in the story to the reader.
The Memory Tree really appealed to me as it is set across two different time scales, which I always enjoy, one of which being the First World War, a time period I like to read about. There are long buried secrets from the past coming to the fore, having repercussions in the present day and there are stories of forbidden love.
In the present day part of the story, Ann's mother Phoebe is a renowned artist but treatment for cancer has left her in pain and less able to work. The relationship between the two has always been fraught, not least because Ann's father left when she was young and she has never really been close to her mother. This complex mother and daughter relationship is so well depicted as is their gradual coming to understand each other better. Phoebe's agent is concerned for her health and suggests that Ann goes to stay with her at her large home, Beechgrave, for a while. While she is there, a storm brings down a favourite, old beech tree and some items hidden within it come to light. Historian and would-be landscape gardener Connor has a past connection to the house and is eager to bring the garden back to its former glory. Like the two women, he is also intrigued by the things they find and together they work to solve the mystery.
In the story set just before, during and after the First World War we meet former occupants of the house including Hester Mordaunt. It was so sad to read about the family's experiences during the war. Like so many families, the Mordaunts lost loved ones to the war and to the Spanish Flu epidemic which followed it. My heart went out to Hester and I admired her courage and determination to carry on. Linda Gillard wrote so movingly of Hester's feelings. I loved the way that much of this part of the story was told through Hester's diaries, as well as from the points of view of some of the other characters.
Linda Gillard moves her story so well between the past and the present, weaving mystery effortlessly between the two time lines. The ending was so very satisfying as all the strands were pulled together, though not without some shocks! The Memory Tree is beautifully written and although sad in parts, it is also gloriously romantic. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending Linda Gillard's wonderful writing to my friends once again.
The Memory Tree really appealed to me as it is set across two different time scales, which I always enjoy, one of which being the First World War, a time period I like to read about. There are long buried secrets from the past coming to the fore, having repercussions in the present day and there are stories of forbidden love.
In the present day part of the story, Ann's mother Phoebe is a renowned artist but treatment for cancer has left her in pain and less able to work. The relationship between the two has always been fraught, not least because Ann's father left when she was young and she has never really been close to her mother. This complex mother and daughter relationship is so well depicted as is their gradual coming to understand each other better. Phoebe's agent is concerned for her health and suggests that Ann goes to stay with her at her large home, Beechgrave, for a while. While she is there, a storm brings down a favourite, old beech tree and some items hidden within it come to light. Historian and would-be landscape gardener Connor has a past connection to the house and is eager to bring the garden back to its former glory. Like the two women, he is also intrigued by the things they find and together they work to solve the mystery.
In the story set just before, during and after the First World War we meet former occupants of the house including Hester Mordaunt. It was so sad to read about the family's experiences during the war. Like so many families, the Mordaunts lost loved ones to the war and to the Spanish Flu epidemic which followed it. My heart went out to Hester and I admired her courage and determination to carry on. Linda Gillard wrote so movingly of Hester's feelings. I loved the way that much of this part of the story was told through Hester's diaries, as well as from the points of view of some of the other characters.
Linda Gillard moves her story so well between the past and the present, weaving mystery effortlessly between the two time lines. The ending was so very satisfying as all the strands were pulled together, though not without some shocks! The Memory Tree is beautifully written and although sad in parts, it is also gloriously romantic. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending Linda Gillard's wonderful writing to my friends once again.
a_ab's review against another edition
2.0
There was a lot I liked about the writing and characterizations, but there was also a lot to spoil the good impressions. Most of that boils down to cheap narrative trickery for dramatic or tragic effects.
It was also very carefully manipulated and strung together by the author to strike emotional cords and keep up the mystery. Unfortunately, the story suffered greatly for it.
The clear visibility of the marionette strings made me disengage from the narrative emotionally and I started noticing the coarse edges, rotating joints and chipping paint instead of being immersed in the story and lives of the characters. The fact that there were coarse edges and chipping paint to notice didn't help matters.
In the end, despite the good scene setting and good interesting characters, I went away feeling like I just had a 7-course dinner which consisted entirely of chewing gum: interesting collection of flavors, but zero nutritional value. Safe to say, it wasn't my cup of tea.
It was also very carefully manipulated and strung together by the author to strike emotional cords and keep up the mystery. Unfortunately, the story suffered greatly for it.
The clear visibility of the marionette strings made me disengage from the narrative emotionally and I started noticing the coarse edges, rotating joints and chipping paint instead of being immersed in the story and lives of the characters. The fact that there were coarse edges and chipping paint to notice didn't help matters.
In the end, despite the good scene setting and good interesting characters, I went away feeling like I just had a 7-course dinner which consisted entirely of chewing gum: interesting collection of flavors, but zero nutritional value. Safe to say, it wasn't my cup of tea.
the_bee_writes's review against another edition
5.0
There are books that beckon to you to be read. This was one of those to me. I saw its front and knew I had to read it.
I have read many good stories but not many which were so expertly crafted. The storylines of Ann and Hester as well as the different points of view are woven together beautifully. The mysteries both women had to deal with just keep you reading on. Two love stories and there is nothing better than a good love story.
I so enjoyed reading this book. If you love books with different points of view, different time and storylines and a great mystery or two you'll love this book
I have read many good stories but not many which were so expertly crafted. The storylines of Ann and Hester as well as the different points of view are woven together beautifully. The mysteries both women had to deal with just keep you reading on. Two love stories and there is nothing better than a good love story.
I so enjoyed reading this book. If you love books with different points of view, different time and storylines and a great mystery or two you'll love this book
readerlas's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chrissieangel's review
5.0
A beautiful read
Beautifully written, This is a story of love and loss, mystery and discovery, of family and ultimately the impact that family secrets, regardless of their good intentions, can have.
I would thoroughly recommend this as a read for an autumn weekend, preferably somewhere with beech trees.
Beautifully written, This is a story of love and loss, mystery and discovery, of family and ultimately the impact that family secrets, regardless of their good intentions, can have.
I would thoroughly recommend this as a read for an autumn weekend, preferably somewhere with beech trees.
frostatmidnite's review against another edition
5.0
A thoroughly unforgettable book!
I loved everything about it. The story, the characters, the romance, the mystery, the pace of the book... everything!
Highly recommend!
For more book reviews, visit Frost At Midnite.
I loved everything about it. The story, the characters, the romance, the mystery, the pace of the book... everything!
Highly recommend!
For more book reviews, visit Frost At Midnite.
amy_h_45's review
4.0
Probably more like 3.75, but I liked it enough to round up!
You know how you’re really liking a book, and just sailing through, enjoying the experience of reading a good story, and then the end lets you down? That’s what this book was for me. I loved the historical mystery of it—like really loved. It reminded me a little of Possession by AS Byat in its concept—combing through what’s left behind to figure out what really happened in the past. I loved the redemption that the characters experienced. I loved the healing of relationships that happened. What I didn’t enjoy was the ending which seemed to me to get a little cheesy, and a little too convenient. Still, not enough for me to downgrade the book too much. I just wish it didn’t seem like the editor pooped out for the last 30 pages.
You know how you’re really liking a book, and just sailing through, enjoying the experience of reading a good story, and then the end lets you down? That’s what this book was for me. I loved the historical mystery of it—like really loved. It reminded me a little of Possession by AS Byat in its concept—combing through what’s left behind to figure out what really happened in the past. I loved the redemption that the characters experienced. I loved the healing of relationships that happened. What I didn’t enjoy was the ending which seemed to me to get a little cheesy, and a little too convenient. Still, not enough for me to downgrade the book too much. I just wish it didn’t seem like the editor pooped out for the last 30 pages.
vhardman's review
5.0
This is the first book I’ve read by Linda Gillard, and I must say am I ever glad I read this book! “Can the power of love overcome life’s darkest memories and deepest losses?” This book tells the story of two different families. Families that have terrible dark secrets during some very difficult and dark times in their lives. The book is beautifully written and captures the depth of emotion that these two families must have felt.
The book is so beautiful in description but haunting in sadness. I truly loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book!
The book is so beautiful in description but haunting in sadness. I truly loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book!
anjana's review against another edition
4.0
It is rare that typical 'characters' are turned on their head by the time the story ends. It is even more surprising when I do not see it coming. We have a multitude of voices in this narrative, the oddest of them (while also the most profound and deep) being the Beech tree itself. It makes observations, giving us hints of events long gone by and others to come. There are enough humans chipping into the story too. Two in the past and two in the present as they try to make sense of that very past.
Ann and her mother Phoebe have never been close. The latter is an artist, someone who is now past her heyday because of cancer, the treatment of which ravaged her system. She is described in such vividly critical terms that it initially seemed that the relationship between them would either take a cloyingly sweet take and they will end up as best buddies or completely blow up. What follows over the course of the story felt unique for this genre. There is a very realistic arc that their relationship takes which made this book stand apart from all the other books in this genre. The past, however, seemed pretty obvious despite a few red herrings. A surprise guest ends up at their door and introduces them to the story hidden in the past, as does a hidden find in the downed beech tree. We are taken into the World War era as the house and the then owners struggle to survive the outside conflict as it ravages their families. We have an enterprising woman at the helm, Hester who represents the change that woman in that society hoped and wished for. She was an interesting woman who kept striving for something better, making it a treat to listen to her part of the story as well. I would recommend this to readers of the historical fiction genre, and those who like dual timelines with secrets hidden in both timelines.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but since I did not finish it before its publication, I actually read/listened to it via my KU subscription.
Ann and her mother Phoebe have never been close. The latter is an artist, someone who is now past her heyday because of cancer, the treatment of which ravaged her system. She is described in such vividly critical terms that it initially seemed that the relationship between them would either take a cloyingly sweet take and they will end up as best buddies or completely blow up. What follows over the course of the story felt unique for this genre. There is a very realistic arc that their relationship takes which made this book stand apart from all the other books in this genre. The past, however, seemed pretty obvious despite a few red herrings. A surprise guest ends up at their door and introduces them to the story hidden in the past, as does a hidden find in the downed beech tree. We are taken into the World War era as the house and the then owners struggle to survive the outside conflict as it ravages their families. We have an enterprising woman at the helm, Hester who represents the change that woman in that society hoped and wished for. She was an interesting woman who kept striving for something better, making it a treat to listen to her part of the story as well. I would recommend this to readers of the historical fiction genre, and those who like dual timelines with secrets hidden in both timelines.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but since I did not finish it before its publication, I actually read/listened to it via my KU subscription.
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