The Forgotten Garden

By: Kate Morton

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins

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

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)

Good, but not gripping

This is a great "curl up by the fireplace" sort of book! However, towards the end I had already figured it all out and was a little bored.

Loved this!

Although I had a difficult time knowing what period the author was speaking about some time, I was able to follow the story line. I listen primarily when I commute so I start and stop the book frequently.

Loved the story and kept guessing till the last minute where the story line would end up. Loved the characters. Looking forward to listening to her other book.

I didn't get bored.

What an Unforgettable Storybook, unlike any other

I love everything about this book, I’ve listened almost nonstop until I just now finished it.....and I’m crying :)
Now I will go back and listen to the fairytales again, to glean from them more insight into the real life stories.

Venture into this story maze & explore the garden!

As a lifelong lover of fairytales, mysteries & human nature, I highly recommend this book!

As always, Kate Morton has delivered another masterpiece.

Kate Morton has become one of my favorite authors. She weaves the most wonderful stories that use such vivid descriptions you can see her characters and their surroundings.

In this novel, Morton made a quote I loved so much, I played the audiobook back several times until I got it right..."for to think was to dip the paint-loaded brush of doubt into the clear water of certainty." I don't know why, but this line with it's subtle imagery spoke to me.

As for the performance, Caroline Lee was fabulous. She went from Australian, to Cornish, to Irish, male to female, old to young. I am a retired narrator and I value quality performances like Lee's. She is truly talented.

Wonderful story. Excellent audiobook.

better than expected

This is an excellent fairytale about fairy tales, for people who do or don't like fairy tales.

Very interesting

This book felt alot like the movie Memento. It kept switching back and forth between the past and the present to try and figure out the story behind the family. I did see the ending coming but it was still a great read. The narration is very good and the characters are realistic.

Intense, satisfying mystery

This book held me spellbound throughout. Two of my favorite mystery elements from childhood, a house on a cliff above an ocean and a secret garden, were perfectly woven together in a story ironically full of fairytales. It was a profoundly satisfying read.

Wonderful tale

I truly enjoyed this book. It is a captivating story, and the narration is terrific

Loved, loved, loved this book!

Was engrossed from beginning to end. One of my favorite authors! Loved being transported to different time periods and being ensconced within the perimeters of a family, seemingly cursed, and mysterious.