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luciaf13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Dementia, and Grief
tashibbi's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This just wasn’t really for me. Alas, we do not DNF book club books. It kinda felt like nothing was happening the entire time. It could have been like 100 pages shorter. It was heartwarming at times. I think if anything it was a nice reminder of how important it is to surround yourself with a community of people you love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Racism, and Death of parent
megermoe's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was such a lovely book. I definitely cried towards the end of it. I love books that are stories about people in everyday situations. Feels like a slice of life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Religious bigotry
lyssamo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Dementia
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
mdcrabbyreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Just average. Sooo slow. I kept thinking “get on with it already.” Predictable story line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse and Racism
turidt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Racism
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Twilight Garden is about friendship and family and the importance of being part of a community. At the heart of this novel, is a garden shared between two neighboring families, as well as the two families who had previously lived in their homes.
I feel like if you're struggling with loneliness, this could either be the best thing to read, or the worst! I found this to be heartwarming and sort of inspirational, but at times, overly idealistic. It's just a fictional story though, so I understand why it's like that. I also felt that it's a bit lengthy, it could have been at least 20 pages shorter if not more. Other than that, I think it's a pretty well written story, I had a good time reading it.
I would recommend this to fans of A Man Called Ove, The Secret Garden, and of course The Reading List (Adams' previous book).
I feel like if you're struggling with loneliness, this could either be the best thing to read, or the worst! I found this to be heartwarming and sort of inspirational, but at times, overly idealistic. It's just a fictional story though, so I understand why it's like that. I also felt that it's a bit lengthy, it could have been at least 20 pages shorter if not more. Other than that, I think it's a pretty well written story, I had a good time reading it.
I would recommend this to fans of A Man Called Ove, The Secret Garden, and of course The Reading List (Adams' previous book).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Cursing, Racism, and Grief
roswell_publishing's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
r00sroos's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Death and Racism
fandomsandfiction's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
what to expect:
- enemies-to-friends
- epistolary elements
- generations of found family
- a heartwarming cast of characters
- the healing properties of gardening and nature
- studio ghibli, but with more diversity (iykyk)
If I could describe this book in 3 words it would be: charming, comforting and warm <3
Following the dual stories of Winston and Bernice in the present, as well as the bygone days of Maya, this is a testimony to gardening, community, and family - both the ones of blood and the ones of choice. It's told in multiple povs AND multiple timelines, yet it's not confusing at all. The flow is seamless. It feels completely natural to be spending one moment in 1980 and the next moment in 2019! The different narratives envelop you, like a loving hug, and take you on the warmest, cosiest ride! The story is split into the 4 seasons and each season begins with a letter written by Maya in the present (since the narratives follow her past). I loved how all the stories connected and I loved how even the grumpy and neurotic characters found their way into my heart!
Despite its comforting presence, this book does not shy away from difficult topics. Issues of death, grief, racism, xenophobia, relationship difficulties, women's rights, and inequalities in the workplace are all explored, but in a gentle (and still nuanced!!) way that leaves you with the message: the world is tough, but we still find reasons to live (isn't this a ghibli quote???)
- enemies-to-friends
- epistolary elements
- generations of found family
- a heartwarming cast of characters
- the healing properties of gardening and nature
- studio ghibli, but with more diversity (iykyk)
If I could describe this book in 3 words it would be: charming, comforting and warm <3
Following the dual stories of Winston and Bernice in the present, as well as the bygone days of Maya, this is a testimony to gardening, community, and family - both the ones of blood and the ones of choice. It's told in multiple povs AND multiple timelines, yet it's not confusing at all. The flow is seamless. It feels completely natural to be spending one moment in 1980 and the next moment in 2019! The different narratives envelop you, like a loving hug, and take you on the warmest, cosiest ride! The story is split into the 4 seasons and each season begins with a letter written by Maya in the present (since the narratives follow her past). I loved how all the stories connected and I loved how even the grumpy and neurotic characters found their way into my heart!
Despite its comforting presence, this book does not shy away from difficult topics. Issues of death, grief, racism, xenophobia, relationship difficulties, women's rights, and inequalities in the workplace are all explored, but in a gentle (and still nuanced!!) way that leaves you with the message: the world is tough, but we still find reasons to live (isn't this a ghibli quote???)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia