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A review by jessielzimmer
The Beast's Garden by Kate Forsyth
5.0
This is the best book I've read all year. Hands down. Probably one of the top three books I've read in the last several years - up there for me with the likes of [b:Jane Eyre|29927134|Jane Eyre (Illustrated)|Charlotte Brontë|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1460815781s/29927134.jpg|2977639], [b:The Diary of a Young Girl|48855|The Diary of a Young Girl|Anne Frank|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1358276407s/48855.jpg|3532896], and [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1402600310s/10964.jpg|2489796]. Being of German heritage WW2 has always been a topic I've struggled with. For a long time I carried much shame for the atrocities that happened to the German, Jewish, Romani people and so many more at the hands of Hitler and the Third Reich.
Without wanting to give anything away I will say this: Kate Forsyth pulls no punches. This is not a fluffy alt-history tale or a romance tangentially bound up in real events. It is gritty and painful and breath-taking, sometimes all at once. She never flinches from the hard realities of war to softened the blow for Ava, Leo, Jutta and Rupert.
Forsyth could've made a case for tiptoeing around all the danger, pain and loss they endure - claiming a safe spot for them to land, as fictional characters in a real war - but, instead she elegantly, honestly pays tribute to the suffering of those who both perished and survived. In a period of time so full of hate and heartache, it made the moments of hope and humanity that much sweeter. Though it was at times a difficult, angering, tear-inducing read, I am so thankful that Ms. Forsyth was true to the era.
Also, I don't know if I misread the summary, but at first the book wasn't quite what I was expecting. I was led to believe - again, by my reading of the summary - that Ava marries Leo almost instantly in order to protect her family from the Third Reich. This was incorrect, there is actually quite a long, wonderful build up of shared ideals, struggle and passion between the two before they are wed (I believe) halfway through the book. As someone who was rather dreading an Insta-Love marriage in the middle of WW2, I couldn't be more pleased with the structure, growth and ultimate fruition of both their marriage, as well as all the arcs for Ava, Leo, Jutta and Rupert.
If you're only familiar with Disney's Beauty and the Beast (which I unrepentantly adore - it's my favorite fairy tale - so no judgement here) be prepared to be introduced to its predecessor "The Singing, Springing Lark". The story of love and courage in the face of ever-deepening trials and tribulations is a beautiful motif woven throughout The Beast's Garden.
While I haven't said much about the plot or characters, I do hope this review will encourage you to give the book a try. Forsyth is truly a master storyteller, crafting characters of hearty depth, taunt plots filled with tension and emotional resonance, all while employing a gracefully poetic touch in the descriptive narrative. Lastly, if you have the pleasure of enjoying this story on audiobook, Jennifer Vuletic's delivery is absolutely flawless.
I'm officially new fan of both author and narrator. I've already grabbed Forsyth's [b:Bitter Greens|19286545|Bitter Greens|Kate Forsyth|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1405301042s/19286545.jpg|18274399] from my library and Vuletic's [b:Wattle Creek|13548902|Wattle Creek|Fiona McCallum|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1331908049s/13548902.jpg|19114514] from Audible.
Happy Reading! <3
Without wanting to give anything away I will say this: Kate Forsyth pulls no punches. This is not a fluffy alt-history tale or a romance tangentially bound up in real events. It is gritty and painful and breath-taking, sometimes all at once. She never flinches from the hard realities of war to softened the blow for Ava, Leo, Jutta and Rupert.
Forsyth could've made a case for tiptoeing around all the danger, pain and loss they endure - claiming a safe spot for them to land, as fictional characters in a real war - but, instead she elegantly, honestly pays tribute to the suffering of those who both perished and survived. In a period of time so full of hate and heartache, it made the moments of hope and humanity that much sweeter. Though it was at times a difficult, angering, tear-inducing read, I am so thankful that Ms. Forsyth was true to the era.
Also, I don't know if I misread the summary, but at first the book wasn't quite what I was expecting. I was led to believe - again, by my reading of the summary - that Ava marries Leo almost instantly in order to protect her family from the Third Reich. This was incorrect, there is actually quite a long, wonderful build up of shared ideals, struggle and passion between the two before they are wed (I believe) halfway through the book. As someone who was rather dreading an Insta-Love marriage in the middle of WW2, I couldn't be more pleased with the structure, growth and ultimate fruition of both their marriage, as well as all the arcs for Ava, Leo, Jutta and Rupert.
If you're only familiar with Disney's Beauty and the Beast (which I unrepentantly adore - it's my favorite fairy tale - so no judgement here) be prepared to be introduced to its predecessor "The Singing, Springing Lark". The story of love and courage in the face of ever-deepening trials and tribulations is a beautiful motif woven throughout The Beast's Garden.
While I haven't said much about the plot or characters, I do hope this review will encourage you to give the book a try. Forsyth is truly a master storyteller, crafting characters of hearty depth, taunt plots filled with tension and emotional resonance, all while employing a gracefully poetic touch in the descriptive narrative. Lastly, if you have the pleasure of enjoying this story on audiobook, Jennifer Vuletic's delivery is absolutely flawless.
I'm officially new fan of both author and narrator. I've already grabbed Forsyth's [b:Bitter Greens|19286545|Bitter Greens|Kate Forsyth|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1405301042s/19286545.jpg|18274399] from my library and Vuletic's [b:Wattle Creek|13548902|Wattle Creek|Fiona McCallum|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1331908049s/13548902.jpg|19114514] from Audible.
Happy Reading! <3