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

Highly recommend.

Excellent story! Very touching and wonderfully written. It is so nice to read a book that goes in an unexpected direction.

amazing!!!

you don't want to miss this amazing story! vivid characters, a story with such amazing depth, emotions so raw you will be moved every moment! lights off the Nightingale​ will live this!!

Good with unexpected twists.

Would you listen to Winter Garden again? Why?

Yes, I drive and listen, work and listen and often catch more detail the 2nd listen. The book was good and kept my interstest.

What did you like best about this story?

I was not able to figure out what would happen next. The twists and turns in the book kept me guessing what was coming.

What does Susan Ericksen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator made the mother's pain and experiences seem real and something the listener could feel her pain of her choices in her life..

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

I laughed and felt sad at times. The struggles of this family seemed realistic as if it could happpen to me. That made the story interesting.

Another wonderful novel by this author

I had read another book that was unbelievably riveting about World War II And suggesting that book to a friend she in turn suggested this one. So touching and all the more sad because much of it actually happened in the fall of Leningrad.

Heartwrenchingly beautiful

Would you listen to Winter Garden again? Why?

I would listen again to Winter Garden. The book spoke to a feeling deep inside of myself. The sisters lifestyles and choices resconated with a likeness of my family! Feeling a need to change my organizing skills to something far more fun!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Winter Garden?

Finding her long lost daughter Anna in Alaska. It was heartwarming and perfect!

What does Susan Ericksen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her portral of the voice of the book was outstanding. Her renditions of russian accents were very well done. Her voice absolutely drew me into the story, and the characters.

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

I felt a deep saddness while listening to the book, it was bringing up a dissatifaction with myself and my choices! I really like this book a lot. It reveals very real emotions, reasons secrets are kept and the pain secrets cause everyone.

Any additional comments?

Kristin Hannah has a real feeling for making history come alive in fiction. With a weath of emotion, history is seen in a whole new light.

loved this book.

Excellent book. Loved it start to finish. What a moving story with a great ending

Slow to start but well worth it

Outstanding historical fiction with love and loss and forgiveness. In the end it was worth the wait in the beginning.

Amazing

Had a hard time trying to get into this book, but I was patient and continued on...so glad I did! Such a beautiful story...True tear jerker!

Slow start but powerful story

This story was frustrating slow to start and I almost exchanged the book, but I am so glad I didn’t. The story is powerful, makes you cry, and in some ways relatable. Also, loved the very accurate descriptions of the Alaskan cities.

Beautifully written and spoken story within a story.

Loved the Russian accent of the main character and the psychological effects of war reaching across generations. The story within a story was so well done, and I would recommend this book.