The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
by Jenners • 01/16/2013 • 4 Stars, F Titles, Fiction, M Authors • 70 Comments
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Genre: Fiction
Why I Read It: Ever since I started blogging, Kate Morton’s name has come up over and over again so I had to see why everyone likes her books so much.
My Rating: 4 stars
About three chapters into this book, I knew I was in for a treat. Morton has written a sprawling, meticulously plotted novel that spans decades, interweaves stories and is filled with good old-fashioned storytelling. It felt delicious to read … like slipping into a hot bath and settling in for a long soak. (Perhaps that is why it took me an unprecedented 10 days to read!)
The story—which alternates between three different time periods—deals with the issues of identity and family ties. The main story concerns a 4-year-old girl who is found alone on a dock in Australia—seemingly alone in the world after arriving on a ship from England. Adopted by the harbormaster after no one claims her, the girl grows up unaware of her origins, until her adoptive father reveals it to her after his wife’s death. Shocked and unbalanced by this news, the girl pursues the mystery of her identity and biological family—using only the meager clues left to her. Upon her death, the mystery is taken up by her granddaughter, who has a tragic story of her own. Shifting between the present day, the mid-1970s and the early 1900s, The Forgotten Garden unfolds slowly and carefully—with Morton interweaving each story line seamlessly.
I have to say that I admire Morton’s skills in crafting this story. She does a brilliant job of mixing Eliza’s, Nell’s and Cassandra’s stories in a way that felt fluid and natural. We’d learn something in one time period and then go back and get the details in the next chapter. I really enjoyed this way of telling the story. It felt like historical fiction mixed with contemporary fiction mixed with literary fiction. The mystery at the heart of the book was also satisfying … I thought I’d figured everything out only to have Morton toss me a curve ball. I love when that happens!
The other aspect I enjoyed was how the Eliza Makepeace character is a writer of fairy tales, and we get to read these stories at different points throughout the book. I loved how the fairy tales shed light on the events of the story … without that always being immediate obvious to the reader. The only thing that could have improved the story even more is if they had included the illustrations that were created for the fairy tale book! (I suppose that is asking a little too much though.)
I totally get why people gush over Kate Morton. If this is the kind of books she writes, then sign me up for more! This was a very satisfying read, and I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys good old-fashioned storytelling that is crafted with care by the author. So, Morton fans, which one should I try next?
Pingback: The Forgotten Garden « Care's Online Book Club
I’ve found that I like each of her books a little bit more, actually – so I would recommend reading her most recents works first. I remember that her first novel took a L O N G time for me to care about. Loved this one, though!
I’ve been hearing that … she gets better as she goes on. Always a treat when an author does that.
I want to read this book-it is sitting on my home.
Well then you have no excuses! Get reading!!
You’ve convinced me! I’m adding this to my every growing to-be-read list. Will get to it after the TBR Dare.
Awww…the TBR Dare! Good luck with it. I’m kind of doing it but not officially. I’ll see how long I can last.
I just finished this audiobook on Monday. I really, really wanted to like it, but it was just okay. Hmm…I feel like I missed something. I think I’ll give Kate Morton another try, though. I have House at Riverton on the shelf.
Well, she might not be your cup of tea. I’ve had that happen. I enjoyed it but I didn’t LOVE it. But I liked it enough to read more of her books — apparently they follow a similar set-up.
I know I have one of her books on my shelves, so glad that she lives up to the hype.
She seems to be pretty inescapable in the blogging world. I had to finally read one to find out what was the big deal.
Skimmed quickly over this post, so as to avoid any spoilerage, since it’s next on my Morton list! I’ve read The Distant Hours and The Secret Keeper. I love them both – even though the “my mom lived a secret life 50 years ago during WWII?!” plot happens in both. It felt a bit redundant to start, but I was quickly drawn into the characters and didn’t care.
I’d say I prefer The Secret Keeper, because it was mostly happy and a little bittersweet… whereas The Distant Hours was hauntingly sad. But, on the other hand, I finished The Distant Hours a week ago, and still can’t stop thinking about it, which says something.
I keep hearing that The Distant Hours is the one to read. And I love hauntingly sad books. Thanks for the tip!
this sounds perfect, nice review.
I think you’d really enjoy it.
I’m so glad you finally tried Morton! This is probably my second favorite of her books. I would probably read The House at Riverton next if you are going to read all of her books because it’s good but, IMO, her weakest. The Distant Hours and The Secret Keeper will then seem like super treats!
The Distant Hours seems like the big one — I see your point on saving that for last to build up to her best!
This was a great read. I’ve enjoyed all the Kate Morton books.
I’m going to treat myself to them once or twice a year I think.
So glad to see you liked this one. I’ve heard she’s a great storyteller. I have The Secret Keeper and hope to get to it soon.
She is a great story teller. It was a pleasure to read this and I can appreciate all the work she put into this book. So excited to read more by her!
I’m so glad you loved it! It was my first and favorite Morton novel. I wouuld highly recommend The Distant Hours as your next read.
Thanks for the recommendation!
I think I will like that fairy tale element as well~!
They were such a fun addition. It has been awhile since I read a fairy tale but the ones in the book were darn good.
I just put The Forgotten Garden on my Goodreads list. Thanks for the referral!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I didn’t like The House at Riverton, but might have to give this author a second chance, because I love the idea of weaving in the fairy tales. My mother’s family had a real-life mystery reminiscent of the way you tell this one, which ended up with two English children being adopted on the ship from Europe to America by a French nanny, giving the family a French name throughout its American generations.
Wow … what a fascinating story in your mother’s family!!!!! It does kind of seem reminiscent of this plot. Perhaps she was the inspiration for the book!!
I’ve enjoyed Kate Morton as well, not read this one yet.
I like that I’m “discovering” her late when she already has a bunch of books written.
The Distant Hours!! I haven’t read her latest but The Distant Hours is by far my favorite of her novels.
You’re the second one to say The Distant Hours. I think that shall be the next one then!
I’ve seen The Forgotten Garden around alot, glad you enjoyed it. Eliza Makepeace sounds like an interesting character.
Eliza was interesting … she is the type of person that I wish I could be but am not.
Love her books. I have not read this one yet! Glad to know you liked it. I’ve got The Secret Keeper on audio.
I’m going to try another one of hers on audio — I think they might be a great listen.
I enjoyed her first (20 books but still have #3 and this one to read. Anxious to do so though — think I say that often:)
As we always say, so many books, so little time!
I haven’t yet read anything by Kate Morton but every time I read a review of one of her books I kick myself for not yet trying her. I have a copy of this one so really have no excuse. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, Jenners! Wonderful review!
I know! I had the same reaction so I finally broke down and read one of her books. I see why people enjoy her so much.
KateM made my list of must try authors this year, so happy to see you have joined the fan club also. I heard to start with Secret Garden but from the comments Distant Hours is the favourite. Looks like I will be in for a treat either way.
The consistent is that you slowly enjoy her novels, nothing to rush through.
She was on my list of must try authors too! Great minds think alike. And I think I’ll space them out and treat myself when I’m in the mood for a nice comfy big sprawling book.
I haven’t read anything by Morton, but just finished borrowing this one from the library in audio, and it’s on my iPod just waiting to be listened to. I also have her newest, The Secret Keeper in paper, so I might just do a double dose of these, one right after the other. I have high hopes for these books, as everyone seems to love them. This was a very nice review, and you gave your opinions the perfect weight and gravity. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on it. I really want to listen to this one next!!
Another commenter said her books are good on audio so I might try my next one that way.
This sounds SO GOOD!! It will have to go on my wish list for now since I just added tons of new books to my already overflowing TBR shelves and Kindle.
Hey — send me your address again and I’ll send you my copy!
Oh so curious as to why she shows up on a boat alone, definitely adding this to the list.
I know!! It hooked me too — how could that have possibly happened?
This is awful, but I’ve read so many reviews of this, I can’t be sure whether I’ve read the actual BOOK or not! ha ha … on the other hand, now I don’t have to read it, heh
That is hilarious! Perhaps it is over-reviewed but I can see why.
Geesh, Jenners…you continue to review books that speak to me. When will I ever catch up?
Checking my library now…guess some books I’ve chosen will move down on my list.
You’ll never catch up — that is our perpetual problem as readers. There are always more books to read.
This is the only one of her books that I’ve read, but I really liked it – especially the multi-generational mystery aspect of it.
I liked that too. It kept the story fresh and I love how you get a snippet of info and then get more details back when the event happened.
I still haven’t read one of her books. This may be a good one to try!
I guess I wasn’t the last one then! I thought perhaps I was.
She is an amazing storyteller, and once you start making your way through her books, you will see that she uses these skills with each of them. The generational mysteries, strong women, the back and forth in time, and always a nod to literature somewhere in the mix. Forgotten Garden is my absolute favorite, but I loved The Distant Hours and The House at Riverton as well. (I am in the middle of her latest right now, The Secret Keeper.) I guess I felt that both Riverton and Distant Hours might have been trimmed down just a little, but she is such a storyteller, you don’t mind too much. One other thing…the audios are FABULOUS. Same narrator for all of them.
Glad to hear the audios are excellent. I think I’ll have to try the next one on audio. (Love that they keep the same narrator!) And I was wondering if this kind of set-up was her modus operandi — sounds like it is. Goody! I think I’ll parcel these out to myself like a treat so I dont’ burn through them too quickly and get tired of them.
Yet another author I need to try. I feel like I read more than most people but somehow I don’t seem to have read the right books.
You read so many new books that maybe you miss some of the “oldies but goodies.”
Ahhh, Kate Morton. She writes beautifully. I’m glad you liked this one!!
I was happy to discover what everyone enjoys about her. Just a satisfying read all around.
Do yourself a favor and read The Distant Hours – her best book imho. I loved all her books but that one the most. So happy to see you liked this one.
Your opinion of The Distant Hours seems to be shared by a few others!
I have yet to read anything by this author but you are correct – the list of my friends in goodreads who loved this is very long.
I know … you come across her on so many different book blogs.
So I’m a few hours into the audio which is GRIPPING and I have to tell you to go read The Light Between Oceans. The story lines are not quite the same but so many common threads it is CREEPY that I chose this out of the blue to read next.
Oh I love when you accidentally read related books back to back. Weird, isn’t it? And I’ve heard great things about The Light Between Oceans. Based on what I know about it, I know what you are talking about.
Pingback: Books Read In 2013 | Life…With Books