The Forgotten Garden in Aussie Readers

Aug 15, 2010 Kathy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: highly-recommend, mystery, favorites, england, favorite-covers, women

Sometimes when people keep recommending a book, you should listen and read that book. The Forgotten Garden is such a book. You finally read it and end up wondering why in the world you waited so long. Kate Morton provides the intricate layering of different times and places in a masterful manner, gifting the reader with a story that captures the imagination and heart completely. Nell, as the lost child, is the pivotal character around which all mysteries and actions revolve. A tale that begins i ...more

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Oct 04, 2014 PattyMacDotComma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-author, historical-fiction

Something reminded me of this book recently, and I noticed I read it more than a year ago bit didn't rate it as highly as I think it deserves.

I can't do justice to a review here, since it was borrowed and I don't have it to refer to, but like Morton's other books, this one crosses back and forth between generations and countries. Trying to find where we fit into the scheme of things in Life is common to a lot of people, I'm sure, and Nell's death has cut her granddaughter Cassandra's ties to he ...more

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Oct 12, 2008 Sheree rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, aussie-author, own, reviews, read-in-2008

The Forgotten Garden is a complex tale of secrets and discovery that kept me enthralled, a 500 plus page book that I didn't want to end. Morton captures the locations and scenery beautifully and develops the characters so effectively I felt like I was actually there, not just an enthusiastic reader.
The novel is packed with mystery and intrigue, lies going back through generations of the Mountrachet family. The story narrates from 3 different time periods; Victorian through to 2005 and from a nu ...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Lark rated it liked it

Shelves: library-book

This is really a 3 1/2. I enjoyed the story greatly ("read" via audio book while out walking) but I did find the swapping about between scenes a bit annoying. I'm impressed by the author's skill in tying and weaving, so this is just a personal thing. I've written out-of-order books myself, but I generally keep the periods constant and work backwards before tying up the ends in the present.

I also found myself floundering to sort out some things. For example; Mary's brother moved to Maryborough. ...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Tracey rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, 2012, ghost, romance

I had seen quite of few Kate Morton's books around and with all the publicity over her new novel, I thought it was time find out what all the fuss is about.
The story looks at the secrets that families have and how unraveling them can be difficult. There are three women who are the focus, Nell, Cassandra and Eliza and each has a story to tell and each has a story that impacts on the other. You find yourself following their lives and being quite swept along with it.
Kate Morton has a lovely writi ...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Tien rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: australia, historical-fiction, australian-author, contemporary, england

Sorry, Kate Morton, but it was just too painful for me to enjoy.

I love the premise of the story, ie. the discovery of one's past. I love the setting up of the story, ie. a beloved granddaughter continuing her deceased grandmother's wish. I usually loved it when a story alternated between the present and the past but in this case, I knew the past was going to be painful but didn't really know how painful it was going to be until nearly 30% through and it was almost more than I could bear but I wa ...more

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