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)

Tugs at the Heart and Very Well Written

I loved this book, everything was put together so well. I read a review saying that some of the characters or background were unnecessary, but I don't find that to be true at all. You just need to be able to read between the lines a bit and fit pieces of the puzzle together yourself, the author knew exactly what they were doing.

My one critique would be on the performance, and it is nothing really huge. I am personally not a fan of music between chapters, it juat feels unnecessary and doesn't really add anything to the story. the narrarator herself had a beautiful voice and played each role well.

Excellent!

wonderful rich characters and a story of entwined lives over generations. I highly recommend this book!

I didn't want this book to end...

I enjoyed this book so much I tried to stretch it out as long as possible, though I couldn't wait to listen everyday. I loved the story and the history it recounted, as well as the main characters Eliza, Nell and Cassandra. As a young girl I was an avid reader of fairy tales and Ms. Morton beautifully wove Eliza's tales into the story. I will miss this book now that it's finished, and since I've read all of Kate Morton's others, I will wait impatiently for her next book.

Well-written, wonderfully read novel

When I started listening to "The Forgotten Garden", I found it slow going for the first hour or so. Now, at the 75% mark, I hate that I have a life and have to do anything other than listen to this book. It is just wonderful--Christine Lee does a great job of character shading with the voices she uses and Kate Morton's story is lovely and compelling.

Wonderful!

Absolutely one of the best books I have ever read!!!! I can't wait to read more from this author!

Long remembered characters

This is a sensuous, tender, beautifully controlled, large-canvas watercolour of a novel.

Three periods of history intertwine, moving between Brisbane Australia, and Cornwall, England. A woman, once an apparently abandoned girl, and later her grandaughter, search for her history and identity.

The narrator's gentle voice accentuates the softness and ease of this story, although I take issue with some of her Australian accents, particularly the male voices. Oh well....

This earnest human quest occasionally demands suspension of belief reminiscent of Victorian romantic novels. Nevertheless one is left with long remembered characters and their stories.

Great book!

This book was really good. I read The Lake House right before this one and I thought as I was reading this that orcas almost the same story line but it had a completely different twist once I got into it! I would recommend reading this book!

The Forgotten Garden

This is the most amazing, spell binding book I have ever listened to. A must have.

Very engaging story.

This book with its parallel stories weaves a tale that engages the reader and makes them as committed to finding out the truth as the characters themselves.

AMAZING!! Didn't want it to end

Wow - this was a book I downloaded because it was on sale thinking it would be okay. I was so astonished!! I felt like I knew and understood each and every character and did not predict any of the many, many twists and turns this novel took. I was hooked and carried my iPod with me for any moment to listen. I will find more of Kate Morton's books as soon as possible! Oh, and the narrater was perfect too.