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bookish_manda's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly is a historical fiction that follows three different timelines with five narrators. Venetia (set in 1907) is a garden designer who creates gardens for wealthy families, and is hired to create a garden for Highbury House. Beth (set in 1944) finds herself working in a farm near Highbury House with the owner Diana and her cook Stella. She is seeking a place where she belongs after being shoved into the world by her aunt. Lastly, Emma (set in 2021) has a passion for reviving historical gardens with her business.
I think the number of narrators was tricky to follow while listening to this audiobook. I think had I read it, I would’ve followed along better. I liked the characters, but I wish there were fewer narrators. Two is usually one too many for me... I would’ve been okay with two timelines instead of three as well. It was a lot.
bookworm2318's review against another edition
It was boring and I wasn’t excited about reading it.
jstanley030's review against another edition
5.0
Heartwarming and embraces the spirit and beauty of what life means for different women throughout generations. Wonderful characters and lovely, eloquent writing too!
I loved the depictions of the Highbury House gardens, and how they influenced each woman differently in their life path.
I loved the depictions of the Highbury House gardens, and how they influenced each woman differently in their life path.
jbrueck's review against another edition
4.0
I really love historical fiction and I love different viewpoints in history. The writing was so good, and I loved the mystery and history surrounding the garden. The only problem I had was I felt there were too many viewpoints. But that was just personal preference. I wasn't always able to keep them straight.
alitch's review against another edition
4.0
What I liked about this book was not the mystery per say, more of the how did she gave my an insight into a lot of practices during WWII that I wasn’t aware of.