Winter Garden
Can a woman ever really know herself if she doesn't know her mother?
From the author of the smash-hit bestseller Firefly Lane and True Colors comes Kristin Hannah's powerful, heartbreaking novel that illuminates the intricate mother-daughter bond and explores the enduring links between the present and the past
Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time—and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya's life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother's life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.
Reviews
Not my favorite.
By patches10011
A poignant story of love, loss, rediscovery and the strength of family.
By Boo Cha Cha Cha
A little boring at the times, maybe too many words to describe sentiments or to fill up the book.
By CMMMO
I’m not going to lie, it was difficult to get through this book before getting to the good part—but the good part is so, so very good. It’s a book of sadness and loss and hard to read as a mother but so well written.
By AllisonRebeccah
Loved it! So much pain and unfathomable grief that turns into a beautiful story.
By Big mama Oly