The Garden

A Novel

De: Clare Beams

Narrado por: Carlotta Brentan

Duración: 9 h y 12 m

Resumen del Editor

"Genius."—The New York Times Book Review • “A teeming gothic.”—Vanity Fair • “Few novels of literary fiction are written as well as The Garden."—The LA Times

An eerie, masterful novel about pregnancy as a haunted house and the ways the female body has always been policed and manipulated, from the award-winning author of The Illness Lesson (“A masterpiece”–Elizabeth Gilbert)

In 1948, Irene Willard, who’s had five previous miscarriages in a quest to give her beloved husband the child he desperately desires, is now pregnant again. She comes to an isolated house-cum-hospital in the Berkshires, run by a husband-and-wife team of doctors who are pioneering a cure for her condition. Warily, she enlists herself in the efforts of the Doctors Hall to “rectify the maternal environment,” both physical and psychological. In the meantime, she also discovers a long-forgotten walled garden on the spacious grounds, a place imbued with its own powers and pulls. As the doctors’ plans begin to crumble, Irene and her fellow patients make a desperate bid to harness the power of the garden for themselves—and face the unthinkable risks associated with such incalculable rewards.

With shades of Shirley Jackson and Rosemary's Baby, The Garden delves into the territory of motherhood, childbirth, the mysteries of the female body, and the ways it has always been controlled and corralled.

©2024 Clare Beams (P)2024 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A richly gothic setup…The genius of the novel is the way Beams continually intertwines fictional elements with true-to-life obstetric practices…Make no mistake, this is a serious story, even an angry one… Beams leaves us purposefully, chillingly in doubt. Is the power of the garden real? Is it a delusion brought on by Irene’s fear and isolation?.. Some readers are going to miss getting answers to this novel’s questions, but the ambiguity floating freely through it is perfect for Beams’s intentions.”—NYTBR

“Few novels of literary fiction are written as well as The Garden, let alone given its sadly relevant retro setting, a 1940s country-estate obstetrical program.”—The LA Times, 10 Books for April

"Luminous and disturbing...While this book is well-grounded in its historical setting, the way the book explores medical and societal control over women’s bodies feels incredibly contemporary."—CrimeReads

had me hooked right away

Great story and the experience of pregnancy. The supernatural elements didn't go far enough in my mind but was still very enjoyable book. Great performance. I recommend this one!

Great book!

Well written and wonderful narrator. I found myself pulled into the lives of the women and their intense longing for the birth of their babies. Old house, creepy garden and the long game the women were made to play in the hopes of a birth of a child. One of the better books I have listened to. The writing is creative and thoughtful.

Boring

Boring. Could not wait for it to end and it went on and on and on.