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)

Perfectly Written

A story spanning 100 years and the secrets of the lies therein. Written perfectly, as to not confuse the listener despite time/character changes.

Wonderful

This is mystery, pathos, love story, detective, altogether wonderful. Made a long long journey seem short and completely tolerable! I will follow this author. And thank you to her, an amazing storyteller.

Love Kate Morton

What other book might you compare The Forgotten Garden to and why?

Enjoyed all her books, sad when they ended

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

She is a very good narrator very easy to listen to ....which is important to me

Any additional comments?

Just ordered her new book .....I usually don't review books but I had to with Kate Norton , her books were exceptional in my opinion , my favorites !!

Enjoyable, but, a tad predictable

Over all, a good story. it was a bit sluggish in the middle and was a tad predictable, but I enjoyed it.

BEAUTIFUL ESCAPE

Wonderful story. Beautifully written, compelling tale. Thus far, my favorite audiobook. I listen in my car on my daily 45 minute commute and I found myself sitting outside in the parking lot at work until the last possible moment because I didn't want to turn it off. That hasn't happened very often! The narration is fantastic, lots of variation between voices and a warm soothing tone. Almost sorry to have finished it!

Book about tracing family roots!

Would you listen to The Forgotten Garden again? Why?

This is a complicated story line that was worthy of a second look. The story kept me coming back for more. A second go round would surely prIovide even more insight into the story line.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Cassandra as a character, because of her devotion to her grandmother and her perseverence to discovering the truth. She also showed growth because of her challenges. Second best would have to be Eliza, she too, seemed to grow through the story and met her challenges face on. I believe it is a tie between which I would have liked best!

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

Caroline Lee made the story seem real. While listening to this, I did not have to think about who was speaking or remember that it was a story being read. She managed to make the story alive while she read it.

If you could rename The Forgotten Garden, what would you call it?

Complicated Family Ties

Any additional comments?

I liked this book so well, that I forgot we had picked it for the book club and after reading it, recommennded it back to the book club!! There were so many facets to the story that it just held me transfixed from beginning to end.

intriguing. well written.

this is an excellent mystery told well. I particularly liked that there was very little blood, no gore, and no smut. well done!

Fantastic story

I was so engrossed with the characters and a story with so many twists and turns. I usually can figure out what is going to happen, not with this book. It had me to the last chapter.

UNFORGETTABLE...

Would you listen to The Forgotten Garden again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to this book again because it was so beautifully written and to get more aquainted with the characters at the beginning of the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eliza had to be my favorite character because she was so noble, yet very human at the same time. I loved her character. I thought Nell was a close second with many of the same characteristics as Eliza.

Which character – as performed by Caroline Lee – was your favorite?

Caroline Lee did an amazing reading of all of these characters, depicting each one with their own personalities. Her lyrical accent added so much flavor to the book, that I couldn't imagine the story without it now. I want to listen to it again, just to enjoy her flow of the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I enjoyed this book immensely, it has been put on one of my all time favorites list! Just beautifully written and in such a way that as the story drifted from one era to another it was easy to follow along without the jolt you usually get when such time changes happen in other books that I have read. A truly enjoyable read.

Any additional comments?

I LOVED IT! This is the first Kate Morton book that I have read....and I am already looking for another of her books.

4.25 Stars

The Story was great, it was just a little long winded. Overall enjoyable, she is a wonderful writer.