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26th out of 59 books
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38 voters
The French Gardener
Prepare to be “spellbound by the sheer charm” (Daily Express uK) of santa montefiore’s tender and powerful new novel about marriage, passion, loss, renewal, and the healing power of love. A magical garden. A cottage that holds a secret. A mysterious Frenchman (handsome, naturally). A family in need of some love. These story elements are irresistibly entwined in this heartw...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
June 2nd 2009
by Touchstone
(first published 2008)
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I had to spend a bit of time thinking about my review of this book. The starring role for me and the novel's saving grace was the garden around which the story is set. Time jumps between two families living in the same English country estate one in the late 1970's, the other in 2005. The strong and vivid writing brings the story of a garden to life. I could practically smell the flowers and see the stages of its creation, collapse and recreation. What I found incredibly disturbing was the author...more
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2.5 Stars
My full review: http://www.coffeecookiesandchilipeppe...
Putting the infidelity to one side was not easy for me, but the portrayal of the magic of nature, and the garden in particular, was strong enough to keep me reading. The author obviously has a deep connection with the earth and countryside that shone through in her writing and resonated with my own love of the natural world. I liked how she understood the healing qualities of nature, especially with regards to Miranda’s children wh...more
My full review: http://www.coffeecookiesandchilipeppe...
Putting the infidelity to one side was not easy for me, but the portrayal of the magic of nature, and the garden in particular, was strong enough to keep me reading. The author obviously has a deep connection with the earth and countryside that shone through in her writing and resonated with my own love of the natural world. I liked how she understood the healing qualities of nature, especially with regards to Miranda’s children wh...more
Sometimes I start a book and know right away that it's not for me and abort the reading mission. I knew fairly early on with this one that it was going to be bad, but instead of returning it to the library, I found myself so entertained by the absurdity of it that I couldn't stop reading. This book is terrible! I laughed out loud several times and it is not a comedy. Oh, the melodrama! Oh, the cliches!! This one had it all - illogical character arcs; saccharine declarations of love; unrealistic...more
This week I read The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore. My bloggy friend, Linda, posted about it here, and I wanted to read it based on her review. I will keep my review brief and refer you to Linda's post. Linda also has another blog, News from Italy, I enjoy reading, too.
Last week, I wrote about The Winter Sea, and I loved it because it was two stories in one book. I was a little surprised that The French Gardener also contained two separate stories. It has been a joy reading two very good b...more
Last week, I wrote about The Winter Sea, and I loved it because it was two stories in one book. I was a little surprised that The French Gardener also contained two separate stories. It has been a joy reading two very good b...more
magical garden. A cottage that holds a secret. A mysterious Frenchman (handsome, naturally). A family in need of some love. These story elements are irresistibly entwined in this heartwarming novel by the author reviewers consistently compare to Maeve Binchy (Booklist) and Rosamunde Pilcher (Daily Mail UK). It begins as Miranda and David move out of London into a beautiful country house with a magical garden. But reality turns out to be very different from their bucolic dream. Soon the latent u...more
While I don't normally read 'romance' novels, the description and reviews caused me to delve into this title anyway because of my love of anything french, gardening, family dramas and believe it or not, the rainbows. And there is plenty of all the above in this novel-- the author writes very well. I found myself drawn into the garden landscape of crushed gravel paths, old stone bridge, dovecote, hollowed Ash tree and pitched roof country cottage. I don't know if her writing foreshadowed events t...more
While certainly not a book I would typically pick up, for those interested in romance, this book is a knock-out. Set in the lush countryside of England, the book bounces between 30 years and two families who live in a home affectionately named Hartington House. Both families are taken by the extravagent gardens surrounding the property, but for different reasons. The original family, the Lightlys, bring in a family friend to help learn the ways of plants and flowers so that he might bring his kn...more
This book kept my attention, which suprised me because I HATED the main characters. At first. It's the story of a shallow, materialistic City woman who is a sorry excuse for a mom and the story of a kind, loving country woman who would give up her own happiness for her children and how these two women, who never meet, have lives that are incredibly intertwined. Why hate that amazing sounding mom? Because she sucks as a wife. But somehow, Santa Montefiore managed to make me sympathize with these...more
Couldn't finish. Put it down and never bothered to pick it up again. Though the English country garden was splendid, the characters were either unlikable or indifferent. Unlike what the back cover says, it doesn't begin to compare to Rosamunde Pilcher or Maeve Binchy, whose characters you identify with immediately. And I find it highly annoying when the author describes the main character's outfits by which designer's jeans, blouse, shoes, and perfume she's wearing. Fashion plate snobbery just d...more
There are several things I liked about this book. The setting was lovely and I do like reading stories that take place in the 1970s (this one partially did). It examines the lives of a modern, troubled couple who create many of their own problems. They decide to find a house in the country to perhaps edify their lives. From there, we learn of an earlier love affair that took place in this beautiful countryside home. The story deals with serious issues of loyalty and life decisions. Even thought...more
First I will begin by saying I fell in love with the environment of this story. It's set on an English country estate, with neglected gardens, stone bridge covered streams, and an abandoned cottage complete with a scrapbook filled with secrets. It reads more like contemporary fiction, or women's fiction, rather than a typical romance. Also, this book was voted in for our next read. Copies will be available at our next meeting on April 26th. The discussion should be interesting.
It begins with Mir...more
It begins with Mir...more
So I finished this book last week but I haven't quite known what to rate it. I actually did enjoy this book, the setting in the English countryside was magical, the romance and further relationships were lovely, the one big problem- the main romantic relationship came as a product of infidelity. It's just so hard for me to get past that. And not only that, but the marriage was great, happy, everyone treated each other nicely, etc. There were no faults, no cracks, no one was being a jerk. So from...more
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I picked up The French Gardener at a local indie bookstore after browsing around, looking at covers, and reading back cover copy (and the first page!). I loved this cover with all the flowers and the woman sitting staring across her garden. It was too pretty to resist! Luckily, the book inside was equally pretty. I had never read anything by Santa Montefiore before (had never heard of her, I must confess), but I will definitely look for more of her books. THE FRENCH GARDENER is told from multipl...more
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This was yet another started-but-couldn't-get-into book for me, of which I've had my fair share lately.
I totally picked it up because of the cover (gorgeous), the title, and the comparison to Rosamunde Pilcher, one of my favorite authors. I just couldn't get more than a quarter of the way through, though, without admitting to defeat. One of the many things I love about Rosamunde Pilcher's books is that I'm immediately sucked in by her characters -- they're interesting, three-dimensional, human,...more
I totally picked it up because of the cover (gorgeous), the title, and the comparison to Rosamunde Pilcher, one of my favorite authors. I just couldn't get more than a quarter of the way through, though, without admitting to defeat. One of the many things I love about Rosamunde Pilcher's books is that I'm immediately sucked in by her characters -- they're interesting, three-dimensional, human,...more
I just didn't like this one. It's not worth skipping through the explicit parts. It's ickily emotional: the main characters include a really disfunctional family with philandering, neglectful husband (who still, of course, loves his wife), a self absorbed wife, a really out of control son, and a sweet and neglected daughter. They are parked in a equally neglected country estate by the husband, who appears as lord of the estate on occasional weekends. Then a mysterious Frenchman appears and volun...more
Well, I would not have stuck with this book if the author had not been a good writer. In the beginning I was enthralled by the use of suspense, which too soon became transparent and boring. It was a vehicle for sappy romance lovers, among whom I am not. The conflict of the main characters became too idealized and silly. At least I loved reading about gardens, one of my passions, especially English gardens. And I do love all things French, so a gardener from France on an English estate was a good...more
I loved the writing in this book. It was beautiful and lyrical, melancholy and inspiring. I want to be a better mom and a better wife after reading this. The love story was enthralling in an almost horrific kind of way. In the end, I couldn't hate Ava, although, I am generally not a fan of affair stories. The author seems to make the case that their love was epic and inevitable, but Jean-Paul says himself says that Love is a choice. In the end, though, even though I was determined to be upset at...more
OK, I finished it. The author states in her interview at the end - "I think infidelity is wrong only if it hurts other people". Enough said.
Why I am distressing myself trying to finish this book is beyond reason - I keep hoping to find redeeming value in it. May be because it was described as Rosamunde Pilcher-like and 20 odd years ago I loved "The Shell Seekers". Who knows, maybe today I would dislike that book too. Over romantification of characters, hit over the head foreshadowing/plotting, i...more
Why I am distressing myself trying to finish this book is beyond reason - I keep hoping to find redeeming value in it. May be because it was described as Rosamunde Pilcher-like and 20 odd years ago I loved "The Shell Seekers". Who knows, maybe today I would dislike that book too. Over romantification of characters, hit over the head foreshadowing/plotting, i...more
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This book starts out with characters that are quite unhappy, and makes it hard to stay interested in the book. It also uses language that I don't appreciate, thankfully, it was only sprinkled thru the story. I debated between a three and a four. The story is well written and interesting, but I didn't like how the author allows men to cheat, and then explains that it as just something that men do and should be excused by their spouse. She wasn't exclusive though, women cheated too. I loved the ga...more
This Book did not disappoint me...LOVED IT. Beautifully written....it captures you from the get go.Two intertwine love stories past and present set in the English Countryside Estate. The details and vivid settings the Author writes are exquisite. A beautiful book to read especially during the summer season since she centers the story around the four seasons of gardening. The vivid pictures she paints of the cottage garden, wildflower garden and vegetable garden are so real ....makes you want to...more
I loved the gardening and four seasons, the descriptions. I liked the story line about a family who buys this grand house with land, to get away from the hectic life in London. The present owner finds out that at one time, the garden was very beautiful and she learns more about the past owner. The story with a mix of present and past was interesting. I wanted to give this book 4 stars but at times I felt that things seemed alittle over the top and sometimes the characters didn't come to life, we...more
This is an unforgettable enchanting romantic tale. The vivid imagery the author uses are exquisite and captures the readers imagination from the onset. The book is divided into the four seasons of gardening, Autumn through Summer. During this time we are swept away to a country estate in the countryside with a neglected garden and caught up in two intertwining love stories - linked past and present by The French Gardener himself. As the book progress not only does the garden regain its beauty bu...more
This one was difficult for me. It's very hard for me to root for a romance when one of the parties is in a perfectly healthy, happy marriage. That being said, I did find myself feeling for the characters. It made me think about my ideas about love and commitment, and the choices we make in our lives - which is what I'm guessing Montefiore was going for.
Since I read almost exclusively for my own entertainment, I'm not one to complain about the quality of anyone's writing, and I hate reading thos...more
Since I read almost exclusively for my own entertainment, I'm not one to complain about the quality of anyone's writing, and I hate reading thos...more
throughly entertaining, a wonderful read. I love stories which involve beauty and love. Miranda is convinced that moving from London to the country was a bad idea. Everyone keeps telling her how the gardens looked when the former owner lived there. She has no friends. Her son gets into trouble at school. She feels isolated from her husband. She decides to hire a gardener and that is how her life begins transforming. By creating the garden, she creates a new purpose to her life and starts enjoyin...more
I liked this book. It was a good read and at first I thought I would say it was what I considered a light read....but now I don't think so. It had a little more depth than just light reading. It nicely syncs two different stories from different times. Normally I don't like that kind of writing or story but this works really well. Both were interesting and tied together nicely. I was just as interested in story as the other. Perhaps some things were predictable but others certainly weren't.
This b...more
This b...more
This was quite a light, quick read and, on reflection really annoying. The character of the French Gardener was only understandable in the 70s section of the book, albeit in a less passionate and trivial Lady Chatterly's lover sort of way; but his return 30 years later, having remained single - was in effect his return to find a woman who would now be around 70 years old. It was difficult to identify with the main characters because their lives seemed so trivial - you never really get under thei...more
I have to say that this was a very sweet book and the topics were emotionally moving as well as challenging. I've never been one to judge others for their behavior and yet when I hear about infidelity, it angers me. I had forgiven many transgressions of my spouse only to find out that a worse transgression was brewing and later distroyed my children's lives. With that, I would have to say that for a 'one time' selfish action, there could be forgivness...
With the beauty and magic of gardens, this...more
With the beauty and magic of gardens, this...more
Wellllll, Binchy and Pilcher it is not, but it makes a good attempt. Lovely settings, plot, intertwined lives from different eras, epic love. It has all the right ingredients but somehow the recipe does not all come together. I recently read another Montefiore book and it also follows a similar recipe. Something is lacking and I am sure if I peruse more of the reviews here someone will have said it better than I can. The dialogue and writing tends to be a bit cheesy and the plot twists a bit awk...more
This was a very difficult book to begin to read, and I think it was because so much of the story in the beginning was about Miranda, David and her two children. Not enough on the garden and how Jean-Paul came about to becoming the gardener (again). I think this part of the story could have been built up more. It was not until the reader was introduced to Ava and became involved in her story, that the book became interesting. It was not until half way or more that the reader begins to see the bea...more
Love this story! It poses some answers to questions that come into view for each of us, at some point. What is the nature of true love, fulfilling relationship? What is it to be happy? Where do you find beauty and how do you create happiness? Can another person show the way? What is our purpose in life? This author uses words like paint. Lyrical. Thoughtful. Engrossing without building nervous anticipation. I anticipated every page like I anticipate the next bite of smooth scrumptious Creme Brul...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Did you like the poetic passages in this novel? I found them rather badly written. | 3 | 5 | May 03, 2013 06:09pm |
Born in England in 1970 Santa Montefiore grew up on a farm in Hampshire and was educated at Sherborne School for Girls. She read Spanish and Italian at Exeter University and spent much of the 90s in Buenos Aires, where her mother grew up. She converted to Judaism in 1998 and married historian Simon Sebag Montefiore in the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London. They live with their two children, Lily...more
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“You bite the bullet and get on with it. One can't expect to be happy all the time ... You expect to be happy, as if it's a right. It's not a right. It's a bonus. The cherry on the cake.”
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2 people liked it
“She was an original ... She was an eccentric. She'd come alive like a fire, telling funny stories and entertaining everyone, then she'd suddenly run out of fuel, make her excuses and leave. You always knew when she'd had enough. Those that didn't would find themselves talk to the walls.”
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1 person liked it
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