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)

Enchanting, intriguing, mysterious, and beautiful

Honestly, I bought this by accident, adding it to my cart when I tried to click on the title, then checking out without noticing it. Best literary mistake I've ever made.

This is an enchanting story that takes place over three, even four, eras. At first it seems a little distracting, as each time you get drawn in to one story you shift to another, but soon you are caught in all three tales, for different reasons, and can't wait to get back to each to find a conclusion.

The tales themselves intertwine to tell one story, one novel, each being intriguing in their own right. With elements of historical, mystery, romance, generational, and personal journey genres, this story is as complex as it is developed. Each scene is well crafted, and the entire novel flows into one whole, rather than seeming episodic, as these types sometimes do.

The good characters are charming, the bad characters disturbingly villainous, each story is intriguing, the settings and historical research creep up on you to create a setting you feel a part of. You'll find yourself looking beyond the boundaries of the story, even, feeling you can see the world beyond what the author created. By the end, the story manages to be emotionally fulfilling while longingly agonizing.

And the narrator is exceptional, as well. Nice accents, accurate individual voices for each character, and a skilled narrative tone throughout. Definitely adds to the experience.

This is one of my favorites, even if I bought it by accident.

Comfort food for my ears

This book is like a bowl of wonderful homemade vegetable soup on a cold winter day. A little predictable but warms you from head to toe!
The narration was excellent and easy on the ears. I enjoyed the musical notes between chapters.
The shift between periods and locations was handled nicely. There is enough subtle orientation so that you easily remember what was happening when you were last in this time and place.

What an adventure back in time. A new favorite.

This book spans 3 generations. It captured me from the beginning and held me to the very last moment. Caroline Lee read so well. Her inflections took me to the scene. I was sorry it ended. Danger, love, loss, history, it is all there.

Enthralling

This book is wonderful. It is full of twists and turns that keeps the reader very entertained.

Wonderful

Enjoyed it so very much, loved it because of the different times that it took place, and also that it takes place in different countries. Characters I found were all very interesting, Caroline Lee is a super reader and did all of the parts so very well.

a great read

Any additional comments?

I loved every minute or this story and the narration was excellent. At first I thought this will be a long one but I was sorry when it finished. Highly recommended.

Hated for it to end

This is one of those books that transports you to another day and time. I came to feel as if I knew Cassandra, Nell, and Eliza. The narrator seemlessly changed from one character's voice to another and the various accents added to the realism of the story. I enjoyed this book so much and will be checking out other books by this author and narrator.

Listening Pleasure

I read books that are well written and tend to have more depth to them but I listen to audiobooks for entertainment. And this fits the bill. I loved it. The reader was excellent, the characters interesting and well developed and the story engrossing. I definitely recommend this audiobook.

Great story, a little sad but overall I really liked it

Great story, a little sad but overall I really liked it. It got better at the end.

outstanding wonderful journey

Totally captivating and so well done! Well worth this journey from page to page.