Scan barcode
A review by craftyemma
The Memory Garden by Rachel Hore
4.0
Can an abandoned garden really bring two people together?
Cornwall, 1912. Pearl is a budding artist, but also a housemaid at Merryn Hall. When she falls in love with someone she cannot marry, she finds herself about to be cast out of the house. The head gardener makes a truly unselfish and generous offer, enabling them to live together in the gardener's cottage, eventually accepting and loving one another.
In the present day, Mel arrives in Lamorna to gather research for her book on Cornish artists. Whilst staying in the old gardener's cottage at Merryn Hall, she is drawn into the story of Pearl - sensing her presence. Mel is drawn into helping the property owner, Patrick, to start clearing the overgrown garden, unearthing secrets as they go.
Growing closer to Patrick, Mel realises neither of them are ready to pursue a relationship and returns to her old life in London. Absence and time really does make the heart grow fonder and a timely reminder of the garden is the push that Mel needs to make that leap of faith.
I enjoyed the premise of the story - a garden lost in time, overgrown in a tangle of memories and emotions. The relationship blooming between the two main characters and the friendship of the locals helped to weave the story. I felt that three quarters of the way through, the garden was completely forgotten, but then the author found a way to bring it back into focus. I enjoyed being transported into Cornwall, both past and present, and also the idea that even a housemaid could leave an imprint in history, through letters, diaries and her art.
A cosy, easy read, perfect for summer.
Cornwall, 1912. Pearl is a budding artist, but also a housemaid at Merryn Hall. When she falls in love with someone she cannot marry, she finds herself about to be cast out of the house. The head gardener makes a truly unselfish and generous offer, enabling them to live together in the gardener's cottage, eventually accepting and loving one another.
In the present day, Mel arrives in Lamorna to gather research for her book on Cornish artists. Whilst staying in the old gardener's cottage at Merryn Hall, she is drawn into the story of Pearl - sensing her presence. Mel is drawn into helping the property owner, Patrick, to start clearing the overgrown garden, unearthing secrets as they go.
Growing closer to Patrick, Mel realises neither of them are ready to pursue a relationship and returns to her old life in London. Absence and time really does make the heart grow fonder and a timely reminder of the garden is the push that Mel needs to make that leap of faith.
I enjoyed the premise of the story - a garden lost in time, overgrown in a tangle of memories and emotions. The relationship blooming between the two main characters and the friendship of the locals helped to weave the story. I felt that three quarters of the way through, the garden was completely forgotten, but then the author found a way to bring it back into focus. I enjoyed being transported into Cornwall, both past and present, and also the idea that even a housemaid could leave an imprint in history, through letters, diaries and her art.
A cosy, easy read, perfect for summer.