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caro_vanille's review against another edition
4.0
Un début qui traîne un peu en longueur, mais j'ai été prise par la fin. Pas aussi bien que le Jardin des secrets, mais une très bonne lecture quand même !
allyexa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Longer than I would normally tackle for a book, but Morton is such a good writer, painting lush scenes and vivid characters, and keeping me intrigued throughout all 562 pages.
But, good lord. After that immense buildup, all the little hints and twists and foreshadowing throughout the story, that ending took too long to get to. Even though I loved her writing, by the time everything was dramatically wrapping up, and all the secrets were revealed, it just felt… inevitable? More depressing than satisfying.
And Daddy Blythe was the absolute worst. Pretty much every tragedy in the book could be tracked back to him.
5/2/24
But, good lord. After that immense buildup, all the little hints and twists and foreshadowing throughout the story, that ending took too long to get to. Even though I loved her writing, by the time everything was dramatically wrapping up, and all the secrets were revealed, it just felt… inevitable? More depressing than satisfying.
5/2/24
mtzbookworm64's review
4.0
Very intriguing book - kept me wanting to read on to discover the secret kept in the walls of the castle. Nice tie in with history of WW2. Also - had to find out the history of the story of "The Mud Man."
ifollowedthatrabbit's review against another edition
4.0
My rating: 4.5⭐ (out of 5)
Beautifully written, with echoes of a gothic novel and a good dose of mystery, this novel will make you time travel and be a part of the magical and ancient Milderhurst Castle.
It all starts with a forgotten letter. One day, when Edie was at her parents’ house, a letter arrived. It was originally sent fifty years ago, but it had got lost along with others until it was finally found and sent to its addressee, Meredith, Edie’s mother. This event changes considerably the lives of Edie and Meredith. It’s time for some old secrets to be revealed.
Thanks to Kate Morton’s writing style, I felt like I was there, at Milderhurst Castle, the painteresque landscapes of Milderhurst, and London. Not only was I transported to these places but to certain periods of time too. The story is set in two periods of time, the early ‘90s and the end of 1939 until 1942. Moreover, all these gothic features, such as the old castle, the three sisters, a gloomy writer overwhelmed by the monsters of the past, make the story even more interesting.
This is the fifth book I read by Kate Morton and, as always, her writing demonstrates the outstanding storyteller she is.
Totally recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
Beautifully written, with echoes of a gothic novel and a good dose of mystery, this novel will make you time travel and be a part of the magical and ancient Milderhurst Castle.
It all starts with a forgotten letter. One day, when Edie was at her parents’ house, a letter arrived. It was originally sent fifty years ago, but it had got lost along with others until it was finally found and sent to its addressee, Meredith, Edie’s mother. This event changes considerably the lives of Edie and Meredith. It’s time for some old secrets to be revealed.
Thanks to Kate Morton’s writing style, I felt like I was there, at Milderhurst Castle, the painteresque landscapes of Milderhurst, and London. Not only was I transported to these places but to certain periods of time too. The story is set in two periods of time, the early ‘90s and the end of 1939 until 1942. Moreover, all these gothic features, such as the old castle, the three sisters, a gloomy writer overwhelmed by the monsters of the past, make the story even more interesting.
This is the fifth book I read by Kate Morton and, as always, her writing demonstrates the outstanding storyteller she is.
Totally recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
misplacedselchie's review
Sometimes I like regular fiction but this was not one of those times. I kept expecting something more and eventually got too bored
bllingard's review
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emily_reads_a_lot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
timna_wyckoff's review
actually haven't finished....it was due at the library....I put it back on reserve and will finish it next time it's my turn :)
So far, more similar to House at Riverton, less to the Forgotten Garden...bummer.
So far, more similar to House at Riverton, less to the Forgotten Garden...bummer.
vbarrett17's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
an utter gothic masterpiece
sksrenninger's review
4.0
I really liked this! It was suspenseful and really kept me intrigued. I read the last thirty pages in the gym and cried on the elliptical, which was kind of surprising - I couldn't believe how suddenly invested in the characters I became. It reminded me of a softer version of Rebecca - mysterious, but not quite so creepy.