I absolutely loved this book and was hooked from the very beginning. In 1913 a four year old girl is told to hide on the deck of a ship bound from London to Australia. When she arrives in Australia she finds herself all alone, forming the beginning of a book rich in Victorian mystery and intrigue. The book switches back and forth in time to pick up each of the family threads leading to this point and to the present day with the granddaughter of the little girl seeking her own answers to her ancestry.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns through the family history and the secrets revealed along the way. The suspense was maintained throughout the book and each time a new secret or piece of the puzzle came to life, I just wanted more! I loved the authoress and her fairytales, the mansion, the maze, the brooch and of course the 'secret garden'.
This book came highly recommended, and I'm so proud in the knowledge Kate Morton is an Australian author. This is a terrific piece of writing.
Highly recommended.
My rating = *****
Carpe Librum!
Hi Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your review.
I loved the book. Read it in 3 days.
An enjoyable page turner.
Shandyd
Thanks Shandyd, I'm so glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey,
ReplyDeleteYour review was spot on! The book was lent to me by a person with impeccable taste. My thanks to DD.
Fay
Thanks Fay, there's nothing better than sharing a book with a friend and enjoying it as much as they did. This is certainly one of my favourite books for 2010.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my site and happy reading.
Tracey
Thanks for your review. I really enjoyed this book too - so many great twists and turns.
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to hear what you think of her other novel, "The Shifting Fog", if you read it, as although I enjoyed it, it certainly didn't have anywhere near as captivating a story as "The Forgotten Garden".
Renae
Hi Tracey, another fantastic review, I read 'The Forgotten Garden' and I enjoyed it, the story was brilliantly done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula, I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this now Trace. I can see why you love the style. It reminds me a little of Margaret Atwood, specifically the vivid, yet not very revealing descriptions. I love that I know the areas the characters have lived in and visited. A bit of ship-borne knowledge doesn't hurt either! Anyway, on your excellent suggestion, I will grab the others as soon as they are returned to the Library.
ReplyDeleteOh, I haven't read anything by Margaret Atwood, what's your favourite book by her? I might have to check out her work. I'm so glad you're reading my favourite book from 2010 :-) I wish we could catch up for coffee after you've finished it. Do you have Skype?
ReplyDeleteGreat that you linked in, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see all the boks that have been linked in. Now to find time to read some of them!
You're welcome Carole, it's great to see you received such a positive response. 48 books makes for quite a reading list, good luck!
ReplyDelete