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)

Delightful

Just when you think you’ve worked it out, another twist. I love this book and the narrator, Caroline Lee’s smoothing voice was a perfect accompaniment to such a story.

Awesomeness

Even though you figure it out before Cassandra, you're still dying to learn the every detail.
I found the order in which different times and places were organized wonderfully done.

Listened and then went back and listened again

I listened to the book and it was a little hard to get into; then I could not put it down. I kept going back to pull the pieces together. Very intriguing, very enjoyable; a well spun story.

excellent

wonderfully mystery with many twists and turns. it stirs a desire to know ones own heritage.

new favorite

wow! I bought this during the 2for1 sale. Now I have new author to follow

Good Story Great Narration HORRIBLE MUSIC!

I am an avid listener of audiobooks in all variety of genres.
Unfortunately I will start my review with a personal pet peeve.
I have no idea who decided that it was a good idea to insert a variety of Musical interludes into some audiobooks. It literally makes me cringe! No matter how lovely the melodies are they DO NOT belong in an audio presentation! The practice needs to be abolished and I would hope that the authors of these amazing audiobooks have enough power or influence to put an end to this horribly annoying practice of inserting ANY type of MUSIC into the listener experience. I’m sincerely concerned that adding MUSIC to an audiobook will become some sort of a hip trend that continues to ruin the future of otherwise amazing works.
Other than that one pet peeve or criticism this is a overall good book.
It’s not great and during some chapters it put me to sleep. I am not sure if I will take a second chance on this author.

Stories within Stories

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was a page turner. The transition between the three stories was fluid. The addition of the delightful fairytails was a wonderful touch. It spans four generations begining with a sea journey. The stories contain the innocent heroine, each have a villain and the savior who in some of the stories has a convolted role. Although you think you have it all figured out, Kate Morton develops multiple new thread you hadn't anticipated.

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

She gave a very good performance.

Any additional comments?

I loved how the symbolism in the fairytails intertwined with the characters

Excellent fit if narrator and book

Love Caroline Lee and I'm increasingly fond of Kate Morton's books. I listen on my commute and having a long tale that unfolds over hours/weeks is pure pleasure.

Good story but long

Any additional comments?

It was a good story but it was very long and kinda dragged on in places. The narrator did a fine job and it was easy to listen too. I was happy with the overall ending, maybe a little bit predictable but not completely.

a good one

My second Kate Morton book and I enjoyed them both. The author is an Aussie that lived awhile in England and this book takes place in both like the other I listened to. This one I would term an historical mystery where the author goes back and forth in time; 1900, 1909, 1913, 1975, and 2005, telling the story of a family that is trying to figure itself out and the mystery flows from a garden in the Cornish area of England that holds the secrets to the tale. The author does an expert job with this. Americans, like me, and Aussies don't seem to understand or especially like the British class system and this story brings that out. I suspect many have left Britain for just that reason. This is a mystery that isn't really a page turner, rather it's a make you think mystery, trying to figure what happened but it's interesting enough to keep you coming back to it in quick order.