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

Strong finish

Took a long time to get into this book. The build up was slow and predictable. But the last 6 hours was very good! I found myself not wanting to put it down.

this was a great read. amazing twists . must read

I didn't see the twists coming. very riveting great plot. must read. loved it!! 😍

Story of amazing love.

Books like this, are not my usual read. Winter Garden kept me interested to hear the fairy tale out to its fruition. In the end, I had to stay up most of the night, to listen to the solum story play itself out. It made me so sad, I cried, and so happy, my heart was elated. I felt it was a good history lesson, especially for someone who can only imagine how hard life was, and how families love thru it all.

Heartbreaking

I’ve often read how Stalin’s forced industrialization caused the worst man-made famine in history, of his heartless inhumanity against his troops and his own people, but this firsthand account (although a novel) of the horrors and heartbreak endured by millions of inocent people brought me closer to the reality of what happened during this time than any other account of WWII I’ve read.

Incredible story, great performance

A tightly woven tale of history and modern times. I learned so much about the fall of Leningrad, told in a totally believable voice. Beautifully read. Highly recommend.

Great storytelling!

Winter Garden is such a well written story full of great characters. The author tells a marvelous story about a mother who was cold and distant and her daughters who didn't understand what they had done to deserve it. Oddly enough it was through a loss and a fairy tale that the answers come forth. Its a beautifully deep and often tragic struggle for love and understanding.

incredible! moves your soul!

performance was perfection. the store rips your soul out but fills you with deep empathy and appreciation

Love Love Love

This was an amazing story that kept me listening all day!! Beautiful written, I could really feel all of the characters, thanks Kristin I’ll be looking for more of your books!

Beautiful story

To listen to this as Ukraine is being attacked by Russia is heart wrenching. So well written and
And visionary descriptions.

Stick with it

I nearly quit this book. The beginning drags. The characters aren’t immediately like able. But if I you stick with it the story is rich and memorable. Definitely recommend