Winter Garden

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Can a woman ever really know herself if she doesn't know her mother?

From the author of the smash-hit bestseller Firefly Lane and True Colors comes Kristin Hannah's powerful, heartbreaking novel that illuminates the intricate mother-daughter bond and explores the enduring links between the present and the past.

Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time - and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya's life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother's life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

©2010 by Kristin Hannah. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“It's a tearjerker, but the journey is as lovely - and haunting - as a snow filled winter's night.” --People Magazine

“This tearjerker weaves a convincing historical novel and contemporary family drama.” --Library Journal

“Readers will find it hard not to laugh a little and cry a little more as mother and daughters reach out to each other just in the nick of time.” --Publishers Weekly

Loved it!

This was a very interesting read. Took a bit to get into it, but I am so glad I continued. Touching story, and educational.
The narrator was amazing!

I Recommend this book to everyone!

This book is wonderful! I have recommended it to anyone who asks for a good read. I loved the story and all of the characters.

Heart wrenching and beautiful

This is not my usual type of book. I'm not even sure what made me chose it. I am so glad that I did. Do you have books that stick with you for a long time? This will be one of those books for me. It is so many things...History, romance, drama, heartache, adventure. This is a beautifully written amazing story of a family. I feel that I could not give a description that will give this book justice. My humble opinion is that it is incredible and it has made its way on to my top 10 favorite books ever.

One of the best books I've read all year!

I absolutely loved this book! It's one of our book club reads. Warning: you will cry like a baby! You will also get a better understanding of what life was like in Russia during the Siege of Leningrad. It was beyond horrific. Boiling wallpaper and leather belts for food? Sending off all the children on trains because Stalin demanded it? But it is also a mesmerizing story about survival and most importantly the enduring love of family.

Heart. Wrenching

Another of Kristin Hannah's heart wrenching stories.
In the beginning of this story, I was bored by Meridith's complacency. But as the story progresses, I get a better understanding of her character. Then I want to just hug her. The tragic story of Anya"s life and how it unfolds is remarkable as told by the author and the narrator.
I can't listen to any of Kristin Hannah's books without needing tears of my own.

I couldn't.stop listening

Fantastic story! Gripping, emotional, great writing. I will get more from this author in the future.

Wow

What a powerful love story of family. Expect humor, heartache, grit, power, and tears. I didn’t want it to end. Great book!

Mary and Martha

I like the Mary and Martha type conflict between the two sisters, even though I had a hard time liking Nina at first. (Not sure what that says about me!) Gradually, I came to appreciate both sisters. The ending is a little contrived, but I was willing to suspend belief since I liked the rest of the book.

A diamond in the rough...

This story has blown me away. I struggled at the start, it felt very cold and distant and yet I couldn’t stop listening, I wasn’t sure I would even be able to finish the story. Now I’m grateful, grateful for the experience of the story told, a life of struggle and love shared. I feel unworthy to have shared in the intimacy of this heartfelt story.

A story within a story

A wonderful story of how a family learned to love each other in a way they never thought possible arter they lost the glue of their family.