Reviews

Grădina uitată by Kate Morton

libraryofdreaming's review against another edition

4.0

You all remember when I fell in love with The House at Riverton? Well, ever since then I've had Kate Morton's other books high on my to-read list and The Forgotten Garden is the first I've gotten to so far. Sadly though, it is not as stunning as her debut. The fairytale parallels are very fascinating and the various historical eras well done, but I think the issue was KM bit off far more than she could chew. There are over 6 narratives/points of view including three different main characters in three separate timespans. And the mystery this huge narrative slowly unravels can be guessed fairly easily after the first half and there is no riveting final twist.

That's not to say this is a bad book. The main characters are interesting and relatable, perhaps the protagonist least of all, but then she is a prickly sort of person. There is a poignantly sad sisterly relationship. Cassandra (the most modern main character) has a lovely journey of recovery from personal tragedy. Eliza, who writes the fairytales, is probably the most enjoyable character with a fun voice and a bittersweet story. It's just messy, I think. And following up on a gem like The House at Riverton, messy and sprawling just doesn't cut it.

bookedup_with_gem's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

risabella's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

vickysbooknook's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

alyaa_e's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

مشوقة متسارعة ساحرة ومليئة بالأحداث

jadajing's review against another edition

5.0

4.5. A great read, though switching narrators slowed me down at first.

jazzyreads310's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

cgschenke27's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jennyluwho's review against another edition

2.0

Victorian artists, large manors in the English countryside, sketchbooks, friendly ghosts, and a mean, thieving family in Edwardian London: these are a few of Kate Morton’s favorite things. They make for an interesting story once, but reading this one almost immediately after The Clockmaker’s Daughter left me rolling my eyes.

ninasbooks57's review against another edition

5.0

I liked this book- sometimes I found it hard to keep the time frames straight but I’m glad I kept reading it! The uncle was just creepy, the aunt should have been charged with child abuse, the daughter was totally clueless!! But when you put it in the context of the year and the culture of that time it became believable. It was so sad and I wish I could have rewritten the ending