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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
If you are going to read this book, you simply must read it outside in the sunshine, preferably under a blossoming tree in spring.
In this book, we follow five women, one in the present day, one in 1907, and three in 1944. Their stores are all different, all tainted with struggle and touched by love. In 1907, Venetia Smith designs the garden that will connect them all, three hurting women find solace in its beauty during World War II while the land & house are requisitioned for the war effort. In 2021, Emma is brought onsite to restore the rambling, wild garden to its former glory. Beth's story, being a land girl during the war, was probably my favorite of the five. The writing was wonderfully immersive and the way it unfolds and all the connections revealed at the end was captivating. Perfect for lovers of gardening, Downton Abbey & immersive, easy-reading stories.
My only complaint was
In this book, we follow five women, one in the present day, one in 1907, and three in 1944. Their stores are all different, all tainted with struggle and touched by love. In 1907, Venetia Smith designs the garden that will connect them all, three hurting women find solace in its beauty during World War II while the land & house are requisitioned for the war effort. In 2021, Emma is brought onsite to restore the rambling, wild garden to its former glory. Beth's story, being a land girl during the war, was probably my favorite of the five. The writing was wonderfully immersive and the way it unfolds and all the connections revealed at the end was captivating. Perfect for lovers of gardening, Downton Abbey & immersive, easy-reading stories.
My only complaint was
Spoiler
whole unexpected pregnancy/miscarriage plot in Venetia's story. I just felt it would have been okay without that.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
medium-paced
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wanted to love this and tried so hard to make it happen. A couple of people recommended it and the summary sounded interesting. Unfortunately nothing really happens, there is no significant conflict and denouement. The events that could have supported this were mostly quickly glossed over in favor or maintaining a more. Pastoral tone. It’s ike the author couldn’t decide which type or book she wanted to write.
I loved this book that spanned half a century tales of women landscapers gardeners artists women and the men they loved. And more so the garden they all loved
Judy
Judy
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
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
A national trust property in a book! An absolute gem imo
I liked the gardening aspect of the book and the description pulled me in. Overall, it was a letdown, just too soap-operish for me.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Five things about The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly 📚📚📚📚
1. Five perspectives across three timelines was a bit much to keep track of. I wish this had mainly focused on the present day and the WWII timelines as the Edwardian timeline didn’t add much at all to the overall storyline and that would have given more space to more fully develop the other characters.
2. So many of these women do not make the choices I wish they would make. Even though, logically, I get them and their choices - I feel they were all overly cold or overly passionate. Again, I think that’s a result of trying to cover too much ground with five perspectives and three timelines.
3. That being said, I was very invested in the stories of Diana and Stella and the two little boys. That story kept me reading from start to finish.
4. I appreciated the author’s not at the end. An author’s note always gets me.
5. Overall, I really enjoyed this. Could it have been better? Yes, definitely but it was also intriguing. I needed to know how it would all come together in the end. A solid piece of historical fiction. I can imagine revisiting this and/or other work by this author in the future.
1. Five perspectives across three timelines was a bit much to keep track of. I wish this had mainly focused on the present day and the WWII timelines as the Edwardian timeline didn’t add much at all to the overall storyline and that would have given more space to more fully develop the other characters.
2. So many of these women do not make the choices I wish they would make. Even though, logically, I get them and their choices - I feel they were all overly cold or overly passionate. Again, I think that’s a result of trying to cover too much ground with five perspectives and three timelines.
3. That being said, I was very invested in the stories of Diana and Stella and the two little boys. That story kept me reading from start to finish.
4. I appreciated the author’s not at the end. An author’s note always gets me.
5. Overall, I really enjoyed this. Could it have been better? Yes, definitely but it was also intriguing. I needed to know how it would all come together in the end. A solid piece of historical fiction. I can imagine revisiting this and/or other work by this author in the future.
emotional
hopeful