Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden

By Kristin Hannah

  • Release Date: 2010-02-02
  • Genre: Historical
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 3,256 Ratings

Description

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

  • Was it my fav, not sure

    3
    By Partyzonee
    This is the 3rd book I’ve read by this author, I still say The Nightingale was THE best book I read in a long time. This one was interesting when it talked about Leningrad, but I have issues when I read books where the main characters never seem to actually speak up for themselves or behavior nobody in this day and age would just not stick up for themselves or ask questions to their family member who treated you like you were barely their own daughter. So did I like this book, it was a quick read and it is historically important to know the suffering people went thru during the war, but still my fav was The Nightingale book.
  • Gripping historical account

    5
    By WendyNamaste
    Gripping historical account of Leningrad during WWII woven into a very moving family story
  • WOW

    5
    By disappointedbyagame6877
    A book to savor… I am a fast reader and often rush through fabulously written novels because I can’t put them down. Yet with this story I found myself drawing it out and reading it in a way that would allow me to immerse myself in the story and draw out the last beautifully written sentences as long as possible. The author’s best work I’m my humble opinion. I want this not just as an e-book but also hardcover to cherish as well.
  • Five stars!

    5
    By carleigh.jack
    I couldn’t put this book down. Had me “ugly crying”. The last book to do that to me was The Nightingale, by the same author. She is an amazing story teller and did not disappoint with this book. Would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction. Officially one of my favorites now.
  • Winter Garden

    5
    By palhc
    I ended this book with tears running down my face. I love history and have read many books (fiction and nonfiction) about WWII and and the atrocities during that period. The Author does an excellent job of depicting the effect of the horrors on a personal level. I would think this was a hard book to write. Thank you for doing so. How soon we forget the horrors of war and how crucial it is for us to remember. I have read and enjoyed several of Hannah’s books. Will continue to do so.
  • Beautifully written

    5
    By Spomky
    This is such a captivating, beautiful work of art. One of the best stories I’ve read in many years.
  • Simply amazing!

    5
    By DenverShopper2214
    Incredibly sad but it’s a well written story!!!
  • Tears often

    5
    By Peggy Padelt
    Splendid telling of sorrow, love, pain, laughter…and the story of life.
  • Winter Garden

    5
    By Natogo
    Beautiful story! The way she writes makes you feel you are there and part of it.
  • A tedious read…

    2
    By MaxiFern
    The book built too slowly.