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callienicole's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second Kate Morton book that I've read, and though somewhat more predictable than the first, I enjoyed it just as much!
In this book, we follow Cassandra as she tries to solve the mystery of her grandmother's parentage. When Nell was four years old she was put on a ship to Australia, and arrived there with no one knowing who she was. Who put her on the boat? Why was she sent away? We also are told the story of a fairytale writer who is somehow mixed up in the story.
Let's go over content, quickly...
Language: An occasional mild cuss word used here and there. A couple uses of Jesus's name in vain.
Sexual: There are some references to sexual encounters within and outside of marriage. They are not described in detail. One character has a weird "erotic" dream, not described at all. There is also a creepy old man with a weird obsession with legs (I was a little worried about where that was going, but nowhere too disturbing).
Other: A casual reference to an abortion that really served no purpose to the story, so that bothered me. One of the characters receiving an odd, almost prophetic dream. Some impressions of some sort of afterlife when some of the characters die.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Morton really knows how to weave a story together, and I really liked the fairytale/mysterious elements that were the basis to this story. It gave the whole book an eery, almost creepy vibe, but without being disturbing. The ending though...let's just say I've read happier endings. But I liked it!
In this book, we follow Cassandra as she tries to solve the mystery of her grandmother's parentage. When Nell was four years old she was put on a ship to Australia, and arrived there with no one knowing who she was. Who put her on the boat? Why was she sent away? We also are told the story of a fairytale writer who is somehow mixed up in the story.
Let's go over content, quickly...
Language: An occasional mild cuss word used here and there. A couple uses of Jesus's name in vain.
Sexual: There are some references to sexual encounters within and outside of marriage. They are not described in detail. One character has a weird "erotic" dream, not described at all. There is also a creepy old man with a weird obsession with legs (I was a little worried about where that was going, but nowhere too disturbing).
Other: A casual reference to an abortion that really served no purpose to the story, so that bothered me. One of the characters receiving an odd, almost prophetic dream. Some impressions of some sort of afterlife when some of the characters die.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Morton really knows how to weave a story together, and I really liked the fairytale/mysterious elements that were the basis to this story. It gave the whole book an eery, almost creepy vibe, but without being disturbing. The ending though...let's just say I've read happier endings. But I liked it!
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.
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
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
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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.