The Forgotten Garden

I knew this book had been on the May 2009 Indie Notables List, and had also seen it displayed in Barnes and Noble, but I didn't know much about this book when I started reading it. My book club on GoodReads, Heartwarmers, decided to read it this month. So, I borrowed it from the library. Though it took me a little while to crack the cover, because I became busy and the length was a bit daunting, I am so glad I finally dove in! 

Kate Morton is a stellar wordsmith and I am so impressed with how she spins a tale. If there were a picture next to "storyteller" in the dictionary, it would be of Kate Morton's face. It's always so delicious to find yourself in a novel that is a bonafide story, where the fibers of plot and syntax connect in such a way that you find yourself in awe of how the author was able to weave it all together so richly. Historical fiction, mystery, light fantasy, and tragedy are all bled together to create a spellbinding story. 

Amazingly you don't even realize that you are in a mystery until you have already connected with the story, and then it is such a quality mystery that the outcome is not even able to be guessed at until the last fourth of the novel (and even then, it is still a watery guestimation). 

I haven't felt this way about a story since I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society last year. There is a special sensation that certain books give you; like you have stumbled into something remarkable and though part of you wants to tell everyone so that they can witness it too, the other half of you wants to keep it your own precious secret. These books did that for me. 

So often throughout The Forgotten Garden I wondered how the author was able to articulate ideas that felt like my own. It takes not only work, but concentration, observance, and a generous amount of introspection to be able to translate those universal feelings onto the page (or in this case onto 549 pages) yet keep the ideas fresh. In the conclusion, Morton backstitches the threads of the piece in such a way that the reader steps back in admiration of the final product;  I was taken until the very last punctuation mark. It will be my displeasure to return this to the library -- this is a title that deserves a place in my personal library, and I intend to secure a copy for future re-reading. 
Five Coconuts

xo,
The Coconut Library

Comments

[StephanieD]

I loved this book as well. So skillfully woven and full of imagery. Did you like the fairy tales?

Have you read The House at Riverton? An excellent book as well.

[Coconut Library]

I haven't, but I own it and it has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. I will definitely be reading it now. Did you like it as much as The Forgotten Garden?

[lillym]

I just ordered a used copy of The Forgotten Garden. Having just finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie, which I loved, I was excited to see that this book was on par with that one. Very excited to start reading.

[Coconut Library]

lillym-- I actually thought of you because of how much you just enjoyed
Guernsey. I think you will really love this one.

On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 8:09 AM, wrote:

[lillym]

can't wait! Starting it this weekend :)

[jaydek]

your rave review makes me excited to read this! i saw it at the bookstore and the size of it is daunting, so i haven't been able to pick it up just yet but will be at some point soon.

[Michelle(RedHeadedBookChild)]

I know this is a super old post but you recently commented on my blog and I was poking around yours. I LOVE KATE MORTON. LOVE LOVE LOVE her. I have read both of her novels and am anxiously awaiting her next one due out in November!

I am so happy you like her too.

AND I am so happy I found your blog.

Thanks for commenting on mine and take care!
Michelle

[Coconut Library]

Hi! Glad you came by.

I have The House at Riverton, which I need to read (so many books so little time). I LOVED this one and would like to own a copy to be able to re-read when I want to.