The Endless Forest

A Novel

By: Sara Donati

Narrated by: Kate Reading

With a master storyteller’s skill and a historian’s precision, Sara Donati has delighted readers and critics alike with her bestselling novels of the nineteenth-century New York frontier. Now she brings us The Endless Forest, set in the remote village of Paradise, where the Bonner family that readers first met in Into the Wilderness make their home.

The spring of 1824 is a challenging one for the inhabitants of Paradise N.Y. when a flood devastates the village. But for Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner, it’s also a time of reunion as their children return from far-off places: Lily and her husband from Italy, and Martha Kirby, the Bonners’ ward, from Manhattan. Although Lily is nursing her own grief, it is Martha, fleeing a crushing humiliation, who brings with her trouble that will reverberate in all their lives.

In the sudden peace that follows the storm, as families struggle to rebuild, childhood friends Martha and Daniel, Lily’s twin brother, suddenly begin to see each other in a new light. But their growing bond is threatened when Martha’s mother arrives back in Paradise a decade after abandoning her daughter. Jemima Southern is a dangerous schemer who has destroyed more than one family, and her anger touches everyone, as do her secrets. Has Jemima come to claim her daughter–or does she have something else in mind? Whatever happens, Martha and Daniel and all the Bonners must stand united against the threats to both heart and home.

Painful secrets and hidden sorrows, joy, heartbreak, and passion follow the Bonners through a season of change and renewal. A rich, passionate, multilayered portrayal of family strength and endurance in a fascinating place and time, The Endless Forest will be remembered long after the last page is turned.©2010 Sara Donati; (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

“Magnificent . . . [a] sweeping saga . . . highly recommended.”—The Historical Novels Review

“A splendidly drawn cast of characters.”—The Seattle Times

“Graceful, sweeping.”—Publishers Weekly

Still good, but not quite as good as the others

Any additional comments?

I'm not sure what it was, but I didn't like this one as much. Perhaps I wasn't quite as into the main romance of this book, or I didn't like how yet another 10 years had suddenly gone by. I still liked it, and liked how the details of all the characters got wrapped up. Obviously if you have made it this far it is a must read.

One of the best books I have ever read.

What made the experience of listening to The Endless Forest the most enjoyable?

You get lost in the characters' lives and each character's reactions and complexities are believable. You become part of their lives seamlessly.

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

She is spot on with the voices. She moves from one character to the next making them distinct voices without distracting the reader.

Any additional comments?

Listen to it. Then listen to the rest of the series. You will cry at the end.

Touched

Thank you for this wonderful epic tale. I cried, laughed and cried some more. You filled my days. Took me away to fat away places. Thank you again.

excellent end of series

this was an excellent end to the series and my 2nd favorite my with book 1 as my favorite. hard to put down but had a satisfying ending.

What a series!!

I was so disappointed that this was the last book in the series, but it did not disappoint. Well done.
I listened to all 5 books in record time and enjoyed every one and the series.
I am now a Sara Donati fan.