The Endless Forest

A Novel

By: Sara Donati

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 22 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

With a master storyteller’s skill and a historian’s precision, Sara Donati has delighted readers and critics alike with her bestselling novels of the nineteenth-century New York frontier. Now she brings us The Endless Forest, set in the remote village of Paradise, where the Bonner family that listeners first met in Into the Wilderness make their home.

The spring of 1824 is a challenging one for the inhabitants of Paradise N.Y. when a flood devastates the village. But for Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner, it’s also a time of reunion as their children return from far-off places: Lily and her husband from Italy, and Martha Kirby, the Bonners’ ward, from Manhattan. Although Lily is nursing her own grief, it is Martha, fleeing a crushing humiliation, who brings with her trouble that will reverberate in all their lives.

In the sudden peace that follows the storm, as families struggle to rebuild, childhood friends Martha and Daniel, Lily’s twin brother, suddenly begin to see each other in a new light. But their growing bond is threatened when Martha’s mother arrives back in Paradise a decade after abandoning her daughter. Jemima Southern is a dangerous schemer who has destroyed more than one family, and her anger touches everyone, as do her secrets. Has Jemima come to claim her daughter–or does she have something else in mind? Whatever happens, Martha and Daniel and all the Bonners must stand united against the threats to both heart and home.

Painful secrets and hidden sorrows, joy, heartbreak, and passion follow the Bonners through a season of change and renewal. A rich, passionate, multilayered portrayal of family strength and endurance in a fascinating place and time, The Endless Forest will be remembered long after it is finished

©2010 Sara Donati (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

“Magnificent . . . [a] sweeping saga . . . highly recommended.”—The Historical Novels Review

“A splendidly drawn cast of characters.”—The Seattle Times

“Graceful, sweeping.”—Publishers Weekly

Beyond excellent!

These characters became a part of my life over the months I read the Wilderness series. Hated for the end to come. Loved the epilogue which tied the family and story up in a neat knot.

A Great Series. A Great Ending

I don’t know what took me so long! I read Into the Wilderness when it was first released- but never continued the series. I recently started over on Audible and I have gone from book to book to book! It is so well written and so well developed and what a wonderful way to end it all in The Endless Forest.
As a huge Outlander fan...I find many authors fall short in their character development and descriptive prose. Sara Donati continuously improved from book to book.

Loved it!

I lived this entire series! Great story and the narrator was perfect. So sad it's over.

Amazing Series

I truly love this whole series, I fell in live with the people of Paradise and kept reading so U could see how their lives would h fold. I loved how the author of weaved her story right along with true American history. These books had it all Love, adventure, history and even mystery. I would recommend this these books to any one that Loves the Outlander series it The Circle of Ceridwin Series. You won't be disappointed. 😀

Outlander fan and now Wilderness fan!

I never thought to be able to get away from Outlander, but this series In The Wilderness was superb . I looked forward to every spate minute to read or the audio.

Only sad to have come to the end of a wonderful life in the clouds.

Thank you kindly
Elizabeth Graziano

Recommend the series

Excellent story. Loved the way the author drew me into the story. It was as if I was there with the characters.

So good

This series was great, 100% recommend! Wish there was just one more book, but I feel like it was well ended.

Wonderful

I got lost in this book. It feels like you are sitting beside these women listening to their lives. Thank you for such a wonderful series.

A Great Saga

We enjoyed this story a great deal. Not only was it engaging but it also offered countless details of daily pioneer life. The writer is skillful with both story and character development. We did occasionally wonder if such a group of well-educated pioneers might have actually existed or not. Nevertheless, the story kept us much engaged.

One point of contention: Although we'd listened to the previous book ages ago, we'd forgotten a great deal, and the author throws a LOT of characters at you in the first few chapters. I almost gave up. Even later in the book characters just appear as if you're supposed to know who they are by then.

But it was well worthwhile and I believe better than the predecessor. Also the narrator did an amazing job with the various characters and accents.

Great Series and characters

Great book. I will miss Nathaniel and Elizabeth's cast of characters. Enjoyed Kate Reading's narration.