Preview
  • The Forgotten Garden

  • By: Kate Morton
  • Narrated by: Caroline Lee
  • Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (17,787 ratings)

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The Forgotten Garden

By: Kate Morton
Narrated by: Caroline Lee
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Publisher's summary

A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, a maze, an aristocratic family, a love denied, a mystery - The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric, and a compulsive listen about the past, ghosts, family, and memories from best-selling author Kate Morton.

Thirty-eight year old Cassandra is lost, alone, and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident 10 years ago, feels like she has lost everything known and dear to her.

But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family. Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace Rutherford - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early 20th century - as well as a cliff-top cottage on the other side of the world, Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell, on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself.

©2008 Kate Morton (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing
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Critic reviews

"This debut page-turner...recounts the crumbling of a prominent British family as seen through the eyes of one of its servants....Morton triumphs with a riveting plot, a touching but tense love story and a haunting ending." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Forgotten Garden

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    11,281
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    4,515
  • 3 Stars
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just possibly the best book I've ever read!

I read constantly, and just when I thought I had the mystery figured out...several times...I was wrong. This book has an intriguing beginning and just gets better and better. The narrator is fabulous. Can't wait to get the "authoress's" other books!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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KateMorton lover

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Really had to concentrate to keep the characters’ generations straight but seemed to make it even more engrossing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Never Forgotten!

If you could sum up The Forgotten Garden in three words, what would they be?

Emotional Suspenseful Delightful

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way the clues were slowly gathered over the years between Grandmother and her granddaughter with their own conclusions. At the same time, the reader is allowed to see how the past truly spins its own twisted story.

Have you listened to any of Caroline Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Caroline Lee in "The Riverton Housue". She did a wonderful job with both and I plan to listen to more of her narratives. As soon as she starts talking, I relax and travel to another world.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Movies ruin good books

Any additional comments?

Kate Morton is an exceptional writer. She has a way of connecting the mysterious past with the future, an eye for details and descriptions for styles, homes, and characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome saga expertly told

Sweeping multi-generational search for truths buried years ago. A tantalizing look at a family dynamic that is as high brow as it is deceitful. Compelling, lyrical, complete. A great read. Very highly recommended!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful, Wonderful!

Loved this book and hated to have it end. Great story with lots of plot twists and told with such art and style. I'm sure it's a book I'll be listening to again.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Surprised about book

Did not think I would like this book but after the first chapter I was hooked. Love the investigation & historical fiction!!! Hate it has ended!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!!!!!

Would you listen to The Forgotten Garden again? Why?

Yes!!!! So engaging!!!!

What did you like best about this story?

All the different time periods. Not hard to follow!

Who was the most memorable character of The Forgotten Garden and why?

Eliza

Any additional comments?

Worth a credit plus!!!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Complicated but enchanting story

Kate Morton tells a fascinating story of three generations of women as one tries to solve the mystery of her birth. Traveling through time from 1909 to 2005 we learn the woman's story from the point of view of the mother, the daughter and the grand-daughter. Nell was found on a dock by a ship captain. Was her story happily changed for the better or was she denied her birthright by being removed from a wealthy household. Each woman in the story has known loss and sorrow. Caroline Lee did a terrific job performing the voices of the women as their thoughts and feelings and conversations with others are presented. I would guess this is one of her best.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Listen

I really enjoyed this book. Caroline Lee did a great job narrating as well. The book easily flows between three different time periods - this is not easy to do and many authors don't do it well.

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GREAT TWISTS AND TURNS

Where does The Forgotten Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of top books. Would listen to or read more than once. Seldom do I find a book that merits that action as I have little time in which to repeat anything.

What did you like best about this story?

Foundations of each character well established in an attention-gripping way.

If you could rename The Forgotten Garden, what would you call it?

"Memories and Twists of Three Generations"

Any additional comments?

First of Kate Morton's writings I have read and have already gotten more for future reading and/or listening. Not many authors have made me immediately follow with another novel written by them.

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