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The Sunflower Forest
Seventeen-year-old Lesley attempts to cope with a mother whose haunted past in Nazi Europe drives her closer to insanity, a father unwilling to acknowledge the problem, and a young sister
436 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
47 people are currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
Torey L. Hayden
51 books1,561 followersVictoria Lynn Hayden, known as Torey L. Hayden (born May 21, 1951 in Livingston, Montana) is a child psychologist, special education teacher, university lecturer and writer of non-fiction books based on her real-life experiences with teaching and counselling children with special needs.
Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty.
Hayden attended high school in Billings, Montana and graduated in 1969. She then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
A little time after having written her most famous book One Child, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and got married to a Scot called Ken two years later. In 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Sheena. Hayden is now divorced.
She has also written three books of fiction in addition to her non-fiction books.
Subjects covered in her books include autism, Tourette syndrome, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and elective mutism (now called selective mutism), her specialty.
Hayden attended high school in Billings, Montana and graduated in 1969. She then attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
A little time after having written her most famous book One Child, Hayden moved to Wales in 1980 and got married to a Scot called Ken two years later. In 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Sheena. Hayden is now divorced.
She has also written three books of fiction in addition to her non-fiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
August 19, 2009
This story totally blew me away. I'd read a few disappointed reviews but the synopsis still interested me so I decided to read it anyway, not entirely sure what to expect. Overall verdict? It was wonderful! To begin with, I had the feeling that I'd be annoyed by the narrator, who was a 17-year-old girl only concerned with getting a date. In fact, all of the characters had flaws - but that's what made this book all the more readable. Every part of it was realistic and believable, which made the events which occurred seem even more tragic. I will admit that the part in Wales at the end of the story didn't interest me quite as much as the rest of the book did, but it's still a 10/10. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone interested in WWII, the Holocaust or mental illnesses. Mara and her family are portrayed perfectly - I didn't doubt for a moment the events which occurred in this book. This is a work of fiction, but assuredly an artfully constructed one!
For Karen:
The story surrounds teenage Lesley, her parents and her little sister, Megan. Their family life is made destinctly different from that of Lesley's classmates because of their mother, Mara, who was born and bought up in Hungary and Germany prior to WWII. Their mother suffered tragically in WWII and often has what the girls call "spells." These spells become worse over the course of the book, after Mara meets a little boy who she becomes convinced is her son, who was taken away from her during the war. As a result of the claims her mother makes, Lesley begins to delve deeper into her mother's pre-USA history and ask questions about what made her into the woman she is today. But none of them can predict the chaos that is about to errupt because of this...
I wouldn't read this book expecting Torey Hayden - this is definitely fiction, albeit very realistic fiction. Read it because the story interests you, as this is very different from Hayden's autobiographical work.
For Karen:
The story surrounds teenage Lesley, her parents and her little sister, Megan. Their family life is made destinctly different from that of Lesley's classmates because of their mother, Mara, who was born and bought up in Hungary and Germany prior to WWII. Their mother suffered tragically in WWII and often has what the girls call "spells." These spells become worse over the course of the book, after Mara meets a little boy who she becomes convinced is her son, who was taken away from her during the war. As a result of the claims her mother makes, Lesley begins to delve deeper into her mother's pre-USA history and ask questions about what made her into the woman she is today. But none of them can predict the chaos that is about to errupt because of this...
I wouldn't read this book expecting Torey Hayden - this is definitely fiction, albeit very realistic fiction. Read it because the story interests you, as this is very different from Hayden's autobiographical work.
June 30, 2010
After reading a couple of Torey Hayden's nonfiction books and absolutely loving them, I picked up this fictional attempt and am now very disappointed.
The story was obviously aimed at a young adult/coming-of-age audience. The story is told through the teenage eyes of Lesley, whose eccentrically-lovable but emotionally unstable mother behaves, well, in an unstable manner. I can't pinpoint exactly what bothered me so much about this book, but my guess is that Hayden, who is so good at taking someone with severe psychological issues and dissecting their causes and then helping to fix them, is instead trying to throw a lot of psychologically-damaging issues into one family and then show the after effects. If half the things that happened to Lesley's mother had happened to me, I would be pretty messed up--so where's the story there?
I can't say that this book was worthless because I really enjoyed the character development, but the plot line was just too full of tragedy to leave time for much else. I can't think of anyone to whom I would recommend this book.
The story was obviously aimed at a young adult/coming-of-age audience. The story is told through the teenage eyes of Lesley, whose eccentrically-lovable but emotionally unstable mother behaves, well, in an unstable manner. I can't pinpoint exactly what bothered me so much about this book, but my guess is that Hayden, who is so good at taking someone with severe psychological issues and dissecting their causes and then helping to fix them, is instead trying to throw a lot of psychologically-damaging issues into one family and then show the after effects. If half the things that happened to Lesley's mother had happened to me, I would be pretty messed up--so where's the story there?
I can't say that this book was worthless because I really enjoyed the character development, but the plot line was just too full of tragedy to leave time for much else. I can't think of anyone to whom I would recommend this book.
March 3, 2019
Loved the first two thirds of this book, but seemed to loose its way a bit towards the end.
September 1, 2008
Big fan of hers but this wasnt my favorite.
December 3, 2012
I thought it was an interesting story about a girl finding out who she is and what she wants in life.
May 8, 2012
Questo libro è un pugno nello stomaco. Nonostante sia un romanzo e non ci siano dunque le storie vere di bambini vittime di abusi che Torey Hayden è così brava a raccontare, la vicenda di Mara O'Malley ha una tragicità molto intensa.
Sua figlia, Lesley, è la narratrice, e ci racconta della sua strana mamma che ha vissuto cose terribili in guerra, cose che tuttora la perseguitano fino a farle perdere il lume della ragione. Impossibile dimenticare un passato così, neppure l'amore può guarire certe ferite. E così l'adorata mamma scende inesorabilmente verso la follia, e toccherà dunque a Lesley guarire da una ferita profonda, per crescere e staccarsi finalmente da quel passato che tormenta ancora la sua famiglia: per rinascere, ritrovare le sue radici, capire quello che è successo, farsene una ragione anche se si tratta di una cosa terribile e ingiusta avvenuta durante la guerra, molti anni prima.
Anche quando i segreti vengono svelati, il problema non si risolve: sfogarsi non sempre serve a dimenticare, e Mara O'Malley lo sa bene.
Sua figlia, Lesley, è la narratrice, e ci racconta della sua strana mamma che ha vissuto cose terribili in guerra, cose che tuttora la perseguitano fino a farle perdere il lume della ragione. Impossibile dimenticare un passato così, neppure l'amore può guarire certe ferite. E così l'adorata mamma scende inesorabilmente verso la follia, e toccherà dunque a Lesley guarire da una ferita profonda, per crescere e staccarsi finalmente da quel passato che tormenta ancora la sua famiglia: per rinascere, ritrovare le sue radici, capire quello che è successo, farsene una ragione anche se si tratta di una cosa terribile e ingiusta avvenuta durante la guerra, molti anni prima.
Anche quando i segreti vengono svelati, il problema non si risolve: sfogarsi non sempre serve a dimenticare, e Mara O'Malley lo sa bene.
February 18, 2011
Pubblicazione recente per questo romanzo della Hayden, che è nota soprattutto per i suoi resoconti delle storie più particolari vissute nel suo lavoro come educatrice di bambini e adolescenti "difficili".
La giovane Leslie O'Malley ha ottimi motivi per sembrare molto più matura della sua età: a diciotto anni ha ormai alle spalle una vita a fianco della madre Mara, sopravvissuta agli orrori nazisti della Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
Sempre instabile e imprevedibile, Mara ha reso sempre la vita difficile al marito O'Malley e alle figlie Leslie e Megan, che però la amano di un amore profondissimo, pur faticando - soprattutto Leslie - ad accettare che una cosa avvenuta molti anni prima in un paese lontanissimo possa condizionare così tanto la loro vita.
Mentre Mara peggiora gradualmente, la giovane Leslie cerca di convincere il padre a fare qualcosa di più per la sua salute mentale, ma prima che qualcosa possa essere deciso la tensione esplode in un epilogo amarissimo.
La giovane Leslie O'Malley ha ottimi motivi per sembrare molto più matura della sua età: a diciotto anni ha ormai alle spalle una vita a fianco della madre Mara, sopravvissuta agli orrori nazisti della Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
Sempre instabile e imprevedibile, Mara ha reso sempre la vita difficile al marito O'Malley e alle figlie Leslie e Megan, che però la amano di un amore profondissimo, pur faticando - soprattutto Leslie - ad accettare che una cosa avvenuta molti anni prima in un paese lontanissimo possa condizionare così tanto la loro vita.
Mentre Mara peggiora gradualmente, la giovane Leslie cerca di convincere il padre a fare qualcosa di più per la sua salute mentale, ma prima che qualcosa possa essere deciso la tensione esplode in un epilogo amarissimo.
September 12, 2014
Ho trovato davvero emozionante questa storia. Cruda, dolorosa, stritolante. Come i girasoli con il sole, io non riuscivo a staccare gli occhi da quelle pagine. Avrei voluto leggere, leggere, leggere...tutto il giorno, sempre. Per conoscere la fine. Per sapere se l'amore sarebbe bastato a tamponare quel dolore silenzioso e perenne di Mara. Per capire che genere di donna sarebbe diventata Lesley, appena maggiorenne, quasi diplomata, troppo responsabile per la sua età. Per scoprire la bellezza del Galles coi i suoi occhi. Per sognare foreste di girasoli e, perché no, anche foreste di rododendri. Ché io non sapevo nemmeno esistessero, le foreste di rododendri selvatici. - See more at: http://scarabocchidipensieri.blogspot...
July 28, 2012
E' un romanzo doloroso...
L'autrice è stata molto brava a ricreare un ambiente famigliare insano e difficile in maniera così veritiere e senza fronzoli. Sembra di vivere in quella famiglia, con i suoi tempi morti, con dialoghi semplici e non sempre indispensabili.. insomma, come un film senza colonna sonora. Proprio come è veramente... la vita.
Molto introspettivo, a tratti lento, ma ugualmente coinvolgente ed ipnotico. Sono state approfondite meno le tematiche della guerra, ma forse proprio perché l'autrice non le conosceva bene, come invece conosce bene il lato oscuro della mente umana.
Mi ha fatto molto riflettere.
L'autrice è stata molto brava a ricreare un ambiente famigliare insano e difficile in maniera così veritiere e senza fronzoli. Sembra di vivere in quella famiglia, con i suoi tempi morti, con dialoghi semplici e non sempre indispensabili.. insomma, come un film senza colonna sonora. Proprio come è veramente... la vita.
Molto introspettivo, a tratti lento, ma ugualmente coinvolgente ed ipnotico. Sono state approfondite meno le tematiche della guerra, ma forse proprio perché l'autrice non le conosceva bene, come invece conosce bene il lato oscuro della mente umana.
Mi ha fatto molto riflettere.
August 13, 2024
Una storia d'amore, di devozione e di rinascita.
Questo mese mi sono dedicata a recuperare tutti i libri scritti da Torey Hayden, un obiettivo che sono quasi riuscita a conquistare. Tra tutti i libri letti sono i romanzi, rispetto ai libri-memoir, ad avermi lasciata più delusa e mi aspettavo lo stesso con quest'ultimo romanzo. Be' non potevo essere più in errore.
"La foresta dei Girasoli" è un romanzo che racconta di un amore incondizionato verso Mara O'Malley, una madre, una moglie, una persona che rappresenta casa, una sopravvissuta tanto delle atrocità della seconda guerra mondiale quanto dell'internamento in un centro per malattie mentali. Ha vissuto tanti orrori e per non vedere i lupi ha deciso di vedere al loro posto i girasoli, ma non è sempre così facile: il più delle volte è una donna normale che ama i fiori, la musica l, le belle storie e la sua famiglia, al più è un po' bizzarra; ma ci sono delle volte in cui perde il controllo, viene risucchiata dal passato che il marito cerca in tutti i modi di tenerle lontano e cede alla follia. E, a quel punto, toccherà al marito e alla figlia maggiore, Lesley, raccogliere i cocci e rimetterla in sesto.
È una storia molto toccante, in cui la voce narrante di Lesley ci accompagna nella loro quotidianità fatta di amore, pazienza, supporto, di gesti di protezione e di difesa; ma anche di momenti di esasperazione in cui marito e figli vengono portati ai limiti fisici e psicologici, sempre in allerta nel timore che succeda qualcosa. Torey Hayden riesce a delineare tanto bene la complessità psicologica di Mara quanto l'intero ambiente familiare: vivo e sfaccettato, imperfetto e difficile, insano ma con tanto affetto incondizionato.
Con i suoi dialoghi semplici, quasi sempre superflui, i momenti morti e quelli introspettivi, la lettura può risultare lenta ma ugualmente coinvolgente ed ipnotica come solo la scrittura di Torey Hayden può essere. A non avermi convinta del tutto è la parte finale: non ho ben compreso il motivo dietro al viaggio che Lesley compie: risulta molto slegato dal resto della narrazione, quasi fosse un racconto separato che è stato inserito a forza nel libro. Anche la stessa conclusione risulta traballante: capisco l'intenzione di lasciare un'alone di buona speranza, ma mi è parso fin troppo buonista e chiuso di fretta.
Tra i suoi romanzi è nettamente il migliore, ti fa riflettere su come si sceglie di vedere la propria vita, su come alle volte per sopravvivere modifichiamo la realtà per renderla più sopportabile e su come questo può distruggerci.
Questo mese mi sono dedicata a recuperare tutti i libri scritti da Torey Hayden, un obiettivo che sono quasi riuscita a conquistare. Tra tutti i libri letti sono i romanzi, rispetto ai libri-memoir, ad avermi lasciata più delusa e mi aspettavo lo stesso con quest'ultimo romanzo. Be' non potevo essere più in errore.
"La foresta dei Girasoli" è un romanzo che racconta di un amore incondizionato verso Mara O'Malley, una madre, una moglie, una persona che rappresenta casa, una sopravvissuta tanto delle atrocità della seconda guerra mondiale quanto dell'internamento in un centro per malattie mentali. Ha vissuto tanti orrori e per non vedere i lupi ha deciso di vedere al loro posto i girasoli, ma non è sempre così facile: il più delle volte è una donna normale che ama i fiori, la musica l, le belle storie e la sua famiglia, al più è un po' bizzarra; ma ci sono delle volte in cui perde il controllo, viene risucchiata dal passato che il marito cerca in tutti i modi di tenerle lontano e cede alla follia. E, a quel punto, toccherà al marito e alla figlia maggiore, Lesley, raccogliere i cocci e rimetterla in sesto.
È una storia molto toccante, in cui la voce narrante di Lesley ci accompagna nella loro quotidianità fatta di amore, pazienza, supporto, di gesti di protezione e di difesa; ma anche di momenti di esasperazione in cui marito e figli vengono portati ai limiti fisici e psicologici, sempre in allerta nel timore che succeda qualcosa. Torey Hayden riesce a delineare tanto bene la complessità psicologica di Mara quanto l'intero ambiente familiare: vivo e sfaccettato, imperfetto e difficile, insano ma con tanto affetto incondizionato.
Con i suoi dialoghi semplici, quasi sempre superflui, i momenti morti e quelli introspettivi, la lettura può risultare lenta ma ugualmente coinvolgente ed ipnotica come solo la scrittura di Torey Hayden può essere. A non avermi convinta del tutto è la parte finale: non ho ben compreso il motivo dietro al viaggio che Lesley compie: risulta molto slegato dal resto della narrazione, quasi fosse un racconto separato che è stato inserito a forza nel libro. Anche la stessa conclusione risulta traballante: capisco l'intenzione di lasciare un'alone di buona speranza, ma mi è parso fin troppo buonista e chiuso di fretta.
Tra i suoi romanzi è nettamente il migliore, ti fa riflettere su come si sceglie di vedere la propria vita, su come alle volte per sopravvivere modifichiamo la realtà per renderla più sopportabile e su come questo può distruggerci.
July 9, 2023
tää kosketti
kerto siis nuoresta tytöstä, jonka äiti on tosi traumatisoitunu sodan jäljiltä. kuvas hyvin sitä, miten rakkaus ja rakastaminen voi olla hirveen vaikeeta ja sisältää lukemattoman monia tunteita. loppujen lopuks kuitenki, jos rakastaa jotai, mikään ei pysty ottaa sitä rakkautta pois. ei mikään.
tässä kuvailtiin rikkinäisyyttä myös hyvin. rikkinäisyys ei oo vaan surullisuutta. rikkinöisyys on epätoivoa, vihaa, raivoa, iloa, ajattelemattomuutta, yksinäisyyttä, kyseenalaistamista ja no oikeestaan kaikkia mahollisia tunteita. ehkä ku puhutaa ihmisistä nii rikkoutunu tarkottaaki sitä, että on pieniä palasia jokaista tunnetta mut ei pysty sovittaa niitä yhtee ja siks on nii sekasi (?) tää sai kyl ajattelee asioita
kerto siis nuoresta tytöstä, jonka äiti on tosi traumatisoitunu sodan jäljiltä. kuvas hyvin sitä, miten rakkaus ja rakastaminen voi olla hirveen vaikeeta ja sisältää lukemattoman monia tunteita. loppujen lopuks kuitenki, jos rakastaa jotai, mikään ei pysty ottaa sitä rakkautta pois. ei mikään.
tässä kuvailtiin rikkinäisyyttä myös hyvin. rikkinäisyys ei oo vaan surullisuutta. rikkinöisyys on epätoivoa, vihaa, raivoa, iloa, ajattelemattomuutta, yksinäisyyttä, kyseenalaistamista ja no oikeestaan kaikkia mahollisia tunteita. ehkä ku puhutaa ihmisistä nii rikkoutunu tarkottaaki sitä, että on pieniä palasia jokaista tunnetta mut ei pysty sovittaa niitä yhtee ja siks on nii sekasi (?) tää sai kyl ajattelee asioita
January 21, 2025
I actually have a personal tie to this novel. When I was in high school, I heard a passage read from it that was so emotional, so heart breaking and gut-wrenching, that it stuck with me for years. When I finally found the book for myself, it did not disappoint. A story of a strained relationship between a mother and daughter that will leave you in tears and frustration.
December 12, 2025
3.5 stars or 7/10. A compelling story about a family where the mother suffers from mental illness after her treatment by the Nazis during WWII. I felt incredibly sorry for what the mother had endured, but I felt more sorry for the elder daughter who often put her life on hold to support her mother. A shocking event provides the turning point for the novel (no spoilers) after which the daughter retreats to Wales. This part was interesting, but didn't really resolve anything and the story lost its way. A very well written book nonetheless.
January 9, 2019
This is the first time I read Torey Hayden’s book. From the title “The Sunflower Forest” I thought it would be a story about the teenage love life. But when I came to the synopsis I was so interested and decided to buy this book just because this book tried to tell us about the World War stories, especially WW2 when Nazis raised in power. Because the story about WW2 always catch my attention. So, I do really hope the best from this book but I do really sad because this book is really far from my expectation. Honestly the first chapter until the middle, I do really enjoy how Hayden express her emotion in book, especially when it comes to Mara’s psychological after the war. I’m so curious and I can’t stop reading until I find a horrible thing that actually Mara becomes “imperfect” that she has mental illness because she lost her sons during the war. I thought Hans Klaus Fischer (Mara’s ex lover) was their father. But actually, the Schutzstaffel (SS)’ member raped her twice and yeah she was pregrant twice and lost her babies twice. She named them Klaus and Joszef. But I find it strange that she became mad of losing Klaus. She looked for Klaus almost every day and she thought anyone else was her losing baby. But why? Why did she only care about Klaus? What about Joszef then? At first maybe I thought he was her first born, but then the book gave the reason that Mara thought Klaus was her savior, Klaus could make Mara out from the “prison”. What about Joszef then? Did she hate him? Or Did she love him the way she loved Klaus? I don’t understand the book doesn’t give me the explanation. It’s also heartbreaking knowing that Mara finally have her own life by marrying Cowan O’Malley and she has 2 daughters; Lesley and Megan. But the only thing that in her mind was Klaus and Hayden didn’t give a clue about who was the real father of Klaus. And I do really disappointed with the Ending. It was sooo blurry yet no solution and answer about Lesley’s questions about her mother’s real past. Lesley spent so much money by letting her college life suffer just because she wanted to go to Wales and looked for answer about her mom’s past. But she got nothing. And I got nothing as well here. I give this book 3 stars just because at the first time I do really enjoy and so curious about the stories, about Mara’s past. But when it comes to the reveal secret times, I got no interest anymore and I forced myself to finish this book and still, this book failed to impress me and my expectation. About the story in the WW2, I thought it will meet my expectation but then, I didn’t meet those expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2015
Se c'è una cosa che questo libro trasmette davvero bene è l'impotenza e l'esasperazione che si prova a trattare con chi ha problemi psichici, anche chi si ama profondamente. E descrive con tragica precisione anche quanto sei lasciato solo, persino da chi dovrebbe difenderti, e come la percezione che gli altri hanno di te cambi quando si scopre che tu, o qualcuno vicino a te, ha questo tipo di problemi. Qui la cosa viene portata all'estremo, ma non credo che sia poi tanto diverso anche in casi meno difficili: in una società che non accetta chi non è bello, magro, sano, giovane e via discorrendo il problema mentale è ancora un tabù davvero difficile da rompere.
Voglio sperare che nell'america post Columbine i problemi della madre della protagonista siano affrontati prima e meglio (quanto meno per evitarne il tragico epilogo), ma la storia si svolge negli anni 60, e questa famiglia immersa in una piccola realtà rurale ha ben pochi mezzi per rapportarsi con la sindrome post traumatica della madre. Di fatto il padre si limita a rimuovere il problema fino a quando non è troppo tardi.
Purtroppo a volte l'amore non è abbastanza, e a volte davvero si viene amati male o sottoamati anche da chi dovrebbe proteggerti e tutelarti.
Punto debole del libro (e origine del voto bassissimo che gli dò) il fatto che il libro è di una noia mortale, sfiancante. Per quasi metà della narrazione non c'è che il ripetersi delle crisi della madre, sempre peggiori, e la mancanza di reazione del padre, che si limita a scaricare la responsabilità della sorveglianza di Mara sulle figlie. Poi finalmente si arriva ad una qualche conclusione ma invece di descrivere i fatti sul posto ecco che la protagonista scappa in Galles. La svolta io non l'ho capita sinceramente, anche perchè non è che porti poi a grandi rivelazioni.
Nel complesso il libro mi lascia perplessa, e non mi vergogno a dire che l'ho finito saltando di qua e di là.
Voglio sperare che nell'america post Columbine i problemi della madre della protagonista siano affrontati prima e meglio (quanto meno per evitarne il tragico epilogo), ma la storia si svolge negli anni 60, e questa famiglia immersa in una piccola realtà rurale ha ben pochi mezzi per rapportarsi con la sindrome post traumatica della madre. Di fatto il padre si limita a rimuovere il problema fino a quando non è troppo tardi.
Purtroppo a volte l'amore non è abbastanza, e a volte davvero si viene amati male o sottoamati anche da chi dovrebbe proteggerti e tutelarti.
Punto debole del libro (e origine del voto bassissimo che gli dò) il fatto che il libro è di una noia mortale, sfiancante. Per quasi metà della narrazione non c'è che il ripetersi delle crisi della madre, sempre peggiori, e la mancanza di reazione del padre, che si limita a scaricare la responsabilità della sorveglianza di Mara sulle figlie. Poi finalmente si arriva ad una qualche conclusione ma invece di descrivere i fatti sul posto ecco che la protagonista scappa in Galles. La svolta io non l'ho capita sinceramente, anche perchè non è che porti poi a grandi rivelazioni.
Nel complesso il libro mi lascia perplessa, e non mi vergogno a dire che l'ho finito saltando di qua e di là.
October 18, 2012
I am a huge fan of Torey Hayden. I have read most of her other books and was happy to hear that she was branching out and trying something new with her writing. Although this book is something very new for Hayden she still writes with the captivating loveliness which fills her books.
This story is set in Kansas in 1978 and follows Lesley O'Malley, a teenager, as she tries to struggle through her complicated life. Lesley lives with her Mother, Mara, a Hungarian WWII Holocaust survivor who slips into a hazy state between delusions and reality; her 9-year-old sister Megan and her Father, O'Malley, who is a gentle man who tries to keep the peace at all costs.
Mara was captured by Nazis during the war and imprisoned in a breeding camp, she loses the two sons she bears while being held captive. Her first son Klaus is taken from her immediately after his birth, never to be seen again. Her second son dies shortly after birth. Mara spends the remainder of her life searching for Klaus, her first-born. Things start to go really wrong when Mara sees a neighbour's child and insists that he is Klaus. He humours her because she brings him candy and gifts. Mara was never able to accept the reality of her losses and is ultimately consumed by her fantasies. The story takes place in America but we are also taken on a journey through Wales where Lesley is to discover some more of the truths about her mothers past.
I would recommend this book to Torey Hayden fans and to people that have not read her work before. This shows her in a new light and shows that she does have the skill for writing and not just based on her true experience.
This story is set in Kansas in 1978 and follows Lesley O'Malley, a teenager, as she tries to struggle through her complicated life. Lesley lives with her Mother, Mara, a Hungarian WWII Holocaust survivor who slips into a hazy state between delusions and reality; her 9-year-old sister Megan and her Father, O'Malley, who is a gentle man who tries to keep the peace at all costs.
Mara was captured by Nazis during the war and imprisoned in a breeding camp, she loses the two sons she bears while being held captive. Her first son Klaus is taken from her immediately after his birth, never to be seen again. Her second son dies shortly after birth. Mara spends the remainder of her life searching for Klaus, her first-born. Things start to go really wrong when Mara sees a neighbour's child and insists that he is Klaus. He humours her because she brings him candy and gifts. Mara was never able to accept the reality of her losses and is ultimately consumed by her fantasies. The story takes place in America but we are also taken on a journey through Wales where Lesley is to discover some more of the truths about her mothers past.
I would recommend this book to Torey Hayden fans and to people that have not read her work before. This shows her in a new light and shows that she does have the skill for writing and not just based on her true experience.
July 15, 2013
I've read most of Torey Hayden's non fiction works and fallen absolutely in love with them; when I saw The Sunflower Forest on the shelf I was excited to see she was trying something new with her writing. Despite the change from reading her usual books to a purely fictional novel, her distinctively captivating tone is found in every page, bringing a sense of familiarity. The novel was set out quite similarly to the way in which her other books are written; if this is her unique writing style, I'm glad she has it!
I had a feeling that The Sunflower Forest would disappoint me when the first few chapters solely illustrated the characters' rather dull lives - however, I realized that this was the whole point of the novel. The characters were whiny, ordinary and constantly fretting over insignificant issues but this only made the The Sunflower Forest more empathetic; by connecting not only to the O'Malley family but their day-to-day lives and petty tribulations too, the events that took place throughout the novel were presented in a manner in which readers could feel and understand the raw pain of the characters.
To pick up this book and expect Torey Hayden is wrong; despite the familiar flair of her work, The Sunflower Forest is definitely fiction. The Sunflower Forest should be read for the love of the storyline rather than Hayden's work - this is what changed for me to pick up on the true beauty of the novel.
I had a feeling that The Sunflower Forest would disappoint me when the first few chapters solely illustrated the characters' rather dull lives - however, I realized that this was the whole point of the novel. The characters were whiny, ordinary and constantly fretting over insignificant issues but this only made the The Sunflower Forest more empathetic; by connecting not only to the O'Malley family but their day-to-day lives and petty tribulations too, the events that took place throughout the novel were presented in a manner in which readers could feel and understand the raw pain of the characters.
To pick up this book and expect Torey Hayden is wrong; despite the familiar flair of her work, The Sunflower Forest is definitely fiction. The Sunflower Forest should be read for the love of the storyline rather than Hayden's work - this is what changed for me to pick up on the true beauty of the novel.
March 19, 2010
E' coinvolgente e la morte di Mara arriva davvero all'improvviso. Solo, il viaggio di Lesley in Galles sembra un po' inutile, molto ben descritto, ma non aggiunge granchè al senso della vicenda. Anche il papà è un po' molle, non prende mai la situazione in mano e lascia che sia la figlia a sbrogliarsela con tutte le sue domande sulla madre mentalmente segnata. Che poi, il figlio perduto? Tutto ruota lì intorno, ma mica si scopre che fine ha fatto.
Oh, quando Lesley ha quella conversazione in treno con la ragazza gallese, le stesse cose idiote che chiede sul Kansas sono quelle che ho pensato anch'io... "Ah, il Paese di Dorothy nel Mago di Oz!", poi le spiagge della Florida, Hollywood e New York. Stop. Se pensi all'America, viene in mente quello. Almeno per i primi trenta secondi.
P.S. La Foresta dei Girasoli poi non esiste... erano Lupi, ma Mara si è convinta fosse piena di fiori. Per quello è sopravvissuta a tutto - vedeva fiori al posto dei lupi. Alla fine la vita è come tu la immagini.
Oh, quando Lesley ha quella conversazione in treno con la ragazza gallese, le stesse cose idiote che chiede sul Kansas sono quelle che ho pensato anch'io... "Ah, il Paese di Dorothy nel Mago di Oz!", poi le spiagge della Florida, Hollywood e New York. Stop. Se pensi all'America, viene in mente quello. Almeno per i primi trenta secondi.
P.S. La Foresta dei Girasoli poi non esiste... erano Lupi, ma Mara si è convinta fosse piena di fiori. Per quello è sopravvissuta a tutto - vedeva fiori al posto dei lupi. Alla fine la vita è come tu la immagini.
March 19, 2012
I bypassed this book a great number of times before I could seriously even consider reading it - for some reason I didn't expect too much out of Hayden's purely fictional texts. At some point I started missing reading her books, and this was the only one I could immediately get my hands into - so I read it. I was sick while doing so, and the slow paced, dream-like story served as a great way to pass time not having to strain ones brain too much. I still don't know what I should say about this read though. I did enjoy it, yes, and I've encouraged a friend sharing my previous suspicions to give it a try too, but in the end I didn't get half as much out of this book as I have from some of the other ones from Hayden. It was rather stripped, dramatical, the viewpoint of the single main character with her delusions and experiences worked very well, I really wish I could get myself into reading the English version of this one, just to see if my problems with approaching it are even partly caused by the nuances lost in translation.
September 23, 2012
"La Foresta dei Girasoli", non è sicuramente il libro migliore di questa autrice che normalmente apprezzo molto di piú, ma è scritto in un modo molto scorrevole considerando la complessità descrittiva che implica il raccontare una famiglia disfunzionale. La Hayden, in questo libro, narra lo stile di vita e le emozioni che ruotano intorno a un nucleo famigliare nel quale la madre è affetta da disturbi mentali causati da stress post traumatico dovuto alla seconda guerra mondiale. Descrive i problemi che questa figura reca alle figlie e come in questi casi, spesso i partner di chi è affetto da disturbi non riescano a prendere in mano la situazione, causando ulteriori danni, gli strascichi che questi disturbi lasciano a ogni membro del gruppo famigliare e le problematiche quotidiane.
Nuovamente ripeto che non è il libro migliore di questa autrice che sicuramente ha affrontato altri soggetti simili in modo piú approfondito e meglio strutturato, resta comunque un buon libro e una lettura interessante.
June 12, 2011
I am a huge fan of Hayden's books having already read several of her non-fiction books about the children she has worked with. When reading Overheard in a Dream I was skeptical as to how much i'd enjoy it knowing it was a work of fiction, but found to enjoy it. The problem with 'The Sunflower Forest' is not that it is also a work of fiction, but that it doesn't focus on children with special needs like Hayden's other novels. At first, this put me off. Saying this, after finally getting into the book, Hayden's characters were captivating and the majority of the story line was gripping. I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn't of had high expectations for it due to Hayden's other work. A good and somewhat interesting read, but probably not one I will reread.
April 23, 2010
I started reading this book thinking, yes a good choice I will whizz through this in no time, only to find it getting very interesting and then extremely slow. It is not easy to pick it up and read a bit. I find long stretches are needed to keep your interst and follow the story. This is one of a terrible tragedy which befalls the mother during WWII where she was taken from her family against her will, then an innocent 17 year old, to be a 'breeder' for the Nazi's. After a incident takes place she is cast out of there, only to be then taken to a concentration for women. There she endures starvation and countless 'experiments'. This experience mars her life with tragic consequences. I did enjoy this book, but I don't want to read it again.
Read
July 20, 2016Oh man. Given to me in a box of books from my dad's colleague, offloading some of her teenage daughter's old books. I was way too young for them, 8 or 9 I think. They were mostly Sweet Valley Highs, and bits of vintage YA from the late 70's and early 80's. (I definitely had a MTI copy of
Ice Castles
in there.)
This was one of those (with this super creepy cover) and constantly drew me down to the basement to sneak-read it. This seemed necessary because it held me in thrall of its slightly graphic sex scenes (both Nazis and nice American boys!) The story is full-on crazy, but I was at such an impressionable age I will sure never forget about it.
This was one of those (with this super creepy cover) and constantly drew me down to the basement to sneak-read it. This seemed necessary because it held me in thrall of its slightly graphic sex scenes (both Nazis and nice American boys!) The story is full-on crazy, but I was at such an impressionable age I will sure never forget about it.
June 14, 2014
I hate that I have to give this 2 star because it really should be a 3 star since I finished it, BUT I really didn't like it. For me it was only okay. Don't let that put you off though if you like books based on WW2 and how it effects the lives of people now. The story was good for those that like that genre...I had read other books based on WW2 times but this one really wasn't me. I kept wanting to put it away and not finish it, but something kept making me read on, even when it gave me nightmares. I was told by an author friend that that made me an author's dream reader. I like that thought and hope Ms Hayden can forgive my low rating because as I said initially, it seems unfair to have to only give it a 2 star.
August 17, 2011
I've read one of her non-fiction and really enjoyed it. As none of those were avavilable at the library I thought I'd try one of her novels. The story is of a teenager who has a mother who has always been odd due to her experiences in WWII. As the novel progresses the true story and it's full impact starts to become known. It's a very chick sort of book and I enjoyed it although it was very dark and the ending didn't improve that feeling. It was engaging and I really wanted to keep reading but I did find it a bit disjointed.
July 29, 2018
Tortuously sad and compelling
I was left with a deep,sadness and melancholy. Maybe I related too much to how the past leaves a stain on our souls that affect our futures no matter how much we are loved or want to be happy.'anyway it was an incredibly written book and beautiful in its development and descriptions of the characters. I don't know if it was based on truth or not but it certainly felt like it.'id highly recommend it. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.'
I was left with a deep,sadness and melancholy. Maybe I related too much to how the past leaves a stain on our souls that affect our futures no matter how much we are loved or want to be happy.'anyway it was an incredibly written book and beautiful in its development and descriptions of the characters. I don't know if it was based on truth or not but it certainly felt like it.'id highly recommend it. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.'
January 16, 2015
Rather depressing, although given the subject matter, hardly surprising. it describes a girls struggle to come terms with tragic events in her family, caused by her mother's mental health problems bought about by the brutalities inflicted on her during WWII.
I was expecting to read more about the mothers experiences really, but it focuses mainly on how the past continues to affect future generations. The daughter tries to understand her mother's actions, by visiting places special to her and gathering information about her past.
Worth a read, so I won't reveal her conclusions !
I was expecting to read more about the mothers experiences really, but it focuses mainly on how the past continues to affect future generations. The daughter tries to understand her mother's actions, by visiting places special to her and gathering information about her past.
Worth a read, so I won't reveal her conclusions !
September 27, 2017
I really enjoyed most of Toreys other books, but I dindn't really got into The Sunflower Forest. I liked the story about lesleys mother, all her past and her emotional unstable self, but the story about Lesleys life, all her teenageproblems and her point of view about all this was quite...boring. Her mother was a far more loveable and intersting character and Lesleys dosen't seem to improve herself.
But I really like Toreys style of writing and the idea of the story was good, I think I just couldn't get along with Lesley as the maincharacter.
But I really like Toreys style of writing and the idea of the story was good, I think I just couldn't get along with Lesley as the maincharacter.
Read
April 20, 2019Apparently this isn't the best of her books, but as it's the first I've read, I cannot really comment on that. I'll have to admit I didn't have very high hopes so was eventually pleasantly surprised. Her style is very easy to read and there were enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages. The story never really resolved itself (I don't think it was meant to) which always makes me feel a bit at a loose end, but I did enjoy it and would definitely give this author another try.
March 31, 2015
Lesley's a teenager living with a younger sister, her dad and her embarrassing and not quite normal mum. As her mum's mental health deteriorates, Lesley is forced to leave school to keep an eye on her.
I found this book quite disturbing especially when disaster stroke. This novel, as all her other psychological work, is not something you read lightly. There're troubles on every page, even if occasional scenes light up the mood a bit. Highly recommend it though.
I found this book quite disturbing especially when disaster stroke. This novel, as all her other psychological work, is not something you read lightly. There're troubles on every page, even if occasional scenes light up the mood a bit. Highly recommend it though.
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