Winter Garden

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Can a woman ever really know herself if she doesn't know her mother?

From the author of the smash-hit bestseller Firefly Lane and True Colors comes Kristin Hannah's powerful, heartbreaking novel that illuminates the intricate mother-daughter bond and explores the enduring links between the present and the past.

Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time - and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya's life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother's life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

©2010 by Kristin Hannah. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“It's a tearjerker, but the journey is as lovely - and haunting - as a snow filled winter's night.” --People Magazine

“This tearjerker weaves a convincing historical novel and contemporary family drama.” --Library Journal

“Readers will find it hard not to laugh a little and cry a little more as mother and daughters reach out to each other just in the nick of time.” --Publishers Weekly

Fascinating!

Would you consider the audio edition of Winter Garden to be better than the print version?

Yes because the narrator has a wonderful Russian accent. I could hear my mother again!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vera, aka Anya, was my favorite. She had a character that grew on me and was an incredibly strong individual.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Vera's accent, as I mentioned above, was very believable.

Any additional comments?

My mother was an immigrant from Estonia, which at the time of this story was a part of the USSR and I have heard these stories from her. Very nostalgic and has helped me to realize what my family's roots are.

if U are already broken inside don't listen

Where does Winter Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Even if this is a novel u know this has happened somewhere to someone therefore it is so hurtful.

Wonderful book!

This book kept me enthralled from the minute I started reading. I could see Russia as I never have.

A must read

At first, I was not sure if this story would ever really begin, but like a train just pulling out of the station, it slowly gathered speed. Before I knew it, I was swept away into the "fairy tale". This book is breathtaking and heart wrenching all at once. Thank you, Ms Hannah, for telling Vera's story, for telling Leningrad's story. When we think of World War 2, we think of Europe and the Jews. Most are unaware of Russia's suffering during the war.

Incredible Main Characters

From the beginning of the book, I was so captivated by Kristin Hannah’s characters that I actually found myself talking to them...”No, don’t do it!” “Tell him!” This is a complex story that is powerfully written. I especially loved the Audible version Susan Erickson’s narration brought Leningrad/St. Petersburg and the characters to life. Excellent story and narration!

Slow but powerful

Unique story of how understanding the past helps to heal the present. And live the future. The narrator had a wonderful accent but it was read too slow for me. I’d speed it up some but then it lost its emotion. The end is worth waiting for.

An epic tale about mother's love

The narration added greatly to this story of love and loss. A tale spanning Russia and USA and mother's and daughters. The story begins in Stalin's Russia and resolves years later in Alaska. Moving and enlightening.

Amazing Journey

Please don’t give up on this book - it is in my opinion a little slow to start and you might feel like it rambles and it doesn’t make sense in the beginning. But I promise you it is worth— keep listening.

I’m not even done with this book yet and I can tell you it will be one of my very favorites in my lifetime. The narrator is excellent absolutely the best!

Due to the excellence of the story the near ration and everything else you feel as if you are living in that time and experiencing what Vera is experiencing.

Nicely written, nicely performed

The story line was very well developed. I love the interaction between the sisters. The ending was a surprise, but a good one. Lots of sad Moments, but plenty of good moments also.

just wow

this isn't my typical style of book but I am SO GLAD i got it.
excellent from start to finish. wouldn't change a thing.