• The Forgotten Garden

  • By: Kate Morton
  • Narrated by: Caroline Lee
  • Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (17,639 ratings)

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The Forgotten Garden  By  cover art

The Forgotten Garden

By: Kate Morton
Narrated by: Caroline Lee
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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)

What listeners say about The Forgotten Garden

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    11,174
  • 4 Stars
    4,489
  • 3 Stars
    1,392
  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    3,376
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    167

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible, deeply moving multigenerational story of loss, love, and memories.

I recommend this moving story to all who love thinking, emotionally involved, and moving stories involving mystery, tragedy, and redemption.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Magical

Was like a quilt. The pieces gradually fit together to make a lovely picture. Well worth the read. Loved it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not so easily forgotten

Would you consider the audio edition of The Forgotten Garden to be better than the print version?

yes. This is the only Kate Morton book that has an Australian connection, which makes Caroline Lee's performance shine remarkably bright.l

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eliza in the early period, Cassandra and Ruby in the contemporary setting.

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

Eliza. her vibrance, pluckiness, loneliness... Caroline Lee was pitch-perfect!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How it all came together - unexpected, tragic, hopeful

Any additional comments?

kate Morton's "The House at Riverton" (APA "The Shifting Fog") has a special place in my heart, but this book with its secrets and lies and innocence and guilt was a wonderful follow-up. It is a literary cup of thick soup - full of substance and richness.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't put it down

Read The Forgotten Garden a few years ago. Loved it then and nothing short of a perfect listening experience now.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing book!

This book kept me finding excuses to have alone time to listen to my book with my head piece. Felt the story along with seeing grand images so I didn't lose the story from one session to another. Will keep this story near my heart like I have "A Girl Grows Up In Brooklyn" I read 40 years ago.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A fun listen.

This story moves back and forth through time and location, so one needs to pay attention. However, that's what makes it charming and enthralling. I found this very entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Finally a great story

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

After listening to some god awful books lately, this one kept me listening from beginning to end.

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

Caroline Lee's narration is one of the best I have heard. She can take you straight to the scene and makes you feel like you are standing there in that garden smelling the flowers and eating the apples off that tree.

Any additional comments?

This is the second book I have listened to by this author. Keep them coming Kate.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A favorite book

A great story and listen, but rubbish American accents. I couldn’t tell if Caroline Lee was making fun or just couldn’t manage it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • TL
  • 09-01-15

A wonderful story

Such an enjoyable story. I appreciate Kate's storytelling. She allows her readers to climb inside and be a part of the character's lives. Fantastic to have on audio book--can "read" and paint rooms at the same time. Perfect multi-tasking entertainment.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

I loved it! I have always been an avid reader but as I get older I find the convenience of audio books to hold a special place in my life. This was such a lovely story made more so by the reading of Caroline Lee. I will definitely be looking for other books by Kate Morton and narrated by Caroline Lee.

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