The Forgotten Garden

By: Kate Morton

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, a maze, an aristocratic family, a love denied, a mystery - The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric, and a compulsive listen about the past, ghosts, family, and memories from best-selling author Kate Morton.

Thirty-eight year old Cassandra is lost, alone, and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident 10 years ago, feels like she has lost everything known and dear to her.

But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family. Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace Rutherford - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early 20th century - as well as a cliff-top cottage on the other side of the world, Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell, on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself.

©2008 Kate Morton (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"This debut page-turner...recounts the crumbling of a prominent British family as seen through the eyes of one of its servants....Morton triumphs with a riveting plot, a touching but tense love story and a haunting ending." ( Publishers Weekly)

Fascinating

An exquisite and complex story; very satisfying It was my first experience with this author. I look forward to more of her work. The performance was excellent; her style, pace, and diction were a delight.

One of the best books I've read

Would you listen to The Forgotten Garden again? Why?

I would listen to this over just to catch parts that I missed and enjoy the book again

What did you like best about this story?

This book is one that can NOT be out guessed. I love that the author keeps everything a mystery and reveals bit by bit but not enough to reveal the ending.

Which scene was your favorite?

The finding of the garden

A great read that captures your imagination

I really enjoyed this book and how it fired my imagination. It was sometimes difficult to follow the jumping time lines within the story, but easy enough to get back on track. The narrator had some accent slips between the Australian accent and the British, but it wasn't too distracting.

I really enjoyed the tale that Morton wove and it had just enough twists and turns and mystery about it that I enjoyed working with the characters to figure out the details.

absolutely loved it

First book from this author that I have read or listened to, a truly great story teller. The transitions from different time periods was handled very well, the story was so intriguing and bitter sweet. I love books that make us think about our past and how it shapes us. This is one of those books. It also makes us appreciate what we have today. Many times I am in the mood for a shorter, more superficial story, and I have plenty of those. This is one to curl up with on a winter evening while I'm crocheting, and get lost in the great story line. The narrator was excellent, which is even more important with a longer book. Highly recommend it!

Loved it!!

Kate Morton is an incredible storyteller. This story kept me engrossed through the entire book. While I wasn't as caught off guard by the ending as I was in 'The Secret Keeper,' I still loved it.

Wonderful Mystery of Love and Sacrifice

What did you love best about The Forgotten Garden?

The characters were completely drawn. Their motives are understandable and sympathetic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Forgotten Garden?

When Nell went to the house where Elisa lived as a girl and met a woman who was a girl when Elisa lived there.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many. It took a long time to get to the garden, after all it had been forgotten. It was a place all three women felt a connection to.

Who was the most memorable character of The Forgotten Garden and why?

Eliza, because she was the most tragic. Nell and her granddaughter both knew love in each other.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad I got this book and will look for more of Kate Morton's books.
Amanda Lee, the narrator has a lovely voice with gentle accents appropriate to the place and people who are speaking.

I liked it

Good book to listen to. Story very well developed, more than enough twists to keep you going.

fantastic read

The story was beautifully woven. The writing was engaging with well placed characters and skilful plot development. I was invested in the story from page one. This was my first book by this author and I am certainly going to find another.

Perfect book to get hooked on Audible

I loved everything about The Forgotten Garden. Each segment, going back and forth through the century, drew me in. I loved the narrator's inflection and accent. I look forward to listening to more books by Kate Morton and narrated by Caroline Lee!

Great Story: family strife, travel and history

This book contained many of the items I love in a good story: there was travel to 3 continents, the US, Australia and England. It was multi-generational covering four generations of women in a family. It had a hint of mystery. Careful listening and remembering details will help the listener unravel the mystery. It was a book within a book in that the stories of the fictional authoress were part of the story. The story stretched from the 1920's to present day and wasn't told in chronological sequence. There was a touch of romance, not entirely unexpected and not surprising, either. If you grew up loving fairy tales, as I did, this is a wonderful read. It's both magical and realistic.