The Moonflower Vine

A Novel

By: Jetta Carleton

Narrated by: Natalie Ross

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

On a farm in western Missouri, during the first half of the twentieth century, Matthew and Callie Soames create a life for themselves and raise four headstrong daughters. Jessica will break their hearts. Leonie will fall in love with the wrong man. Mary Jo will escape to New York. And wild child Mathy’s fate will be the family’s greatest tragedy.

Over the decades they will love, deceive, comfort, forgive - and, ultimately, they will come to cherish all the more fiercely the bonds of love that hold the family together.

©2009 Jetta Carleton (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A rare find - a book you can truly enjoy and recall, long after reading it, with sharp pleasure.” (Rita Mae Brown)

“The flavor . . . is much the same as that of To Kill a Mockingbird. . . . The Moonflower Vine is a delightful book.” ( Denver Post)

"A distinguished achievement.” ( Chicago Tribune)

Have loved this book since 1964

What made the experience of listening to The Moonflower Vine the most enjoyable?

I have read this book many times over the years and was very happy to see it was finally on Audible. It is a lovely book about a family of 3 daughters starting in the early 1900's.

What did you like best about this story?

I like each family member having their own section of the book to tell their own story.

Would you be willing to try another one of Natalie Ross’s performances?

I didn't think she got Leonie's righteous character right and all the young men sounded like old men so perhaps not.

Who was the most memorable character of The Moonflower Vine and why?

Leonie. She is so earnest, full of opinions and idealism and never getting loved enough for it.

Good but a little slow

It was a good book, but I found it difficult to finish. Hopefully I'll come back to it at some point.

Good and Bad Days

This book was so relatable and nostalgic. The fragility of humans is displayed and the spirit to overcome. I enjoyed every chapter and would read it again. Classic American tale.

I didn't want it to end!!!

This is my Mother's favorite book and she always wanted me to read it. Unfortunately it wasn't until after she passed away just a few short weeks ago, that I actually picked it up for the first time. After reading a bit I decided to buy it on my Audible.com account. It was Amazing!! I definitely see why this was her favorite book!! My mom was born on a farm and raised in Arkansas and Missouri with her Mother and Father and 3 sisters...I could imagine them all while listening to this book!
I love how it was written...with each characters' story and how it all blended together....I didn't want the story to end!!! I'll definitely be reading/listening to this book again...Happily!! My mom would love to know that "The Moonflower Vine" is now my favorite book also!!!

Mediocre story, irritating narrator.

While the story was at times interesting, the narrator really put me off. I struggled to finish the entire book, and only did so as I was determined not to waste the money I paid for it.

Book club read

This would be a great book club book. Lots of deep characters to discuss with common theme unknown by each!

Wonderful, timeless story

The story of generational divides and family struggles is fantastic, and the narration by Natalie Ross is outstanding. She really brings each character to life.

Slow read

Super slow and nothing happens. The words capture and articulate well, Just not for me.

I wanted to like it, but....

Robert Gottlieb gave this book such high marks in his memoir Avid Reader; so I downloaded it. I listened for about an hour and then returned it for a refund. Perhaps the print version is worthy of the praise, but I found the narrator annoying. She tried, (perhaps too hard??) to give voice to the individual characters, but her efforts didn't work for me.