Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-06
• Released on: 2008-05-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 350 pages

Choice Magazine
'A haunting story of the search for identity...is packed with memorable characters and evocative settings. '

Daily Express
'A beautifully written and satisfying novel.'

Waterstone's Books Quarterly
'The Forgotten Garden weaves its powerful spell slowly and beautifully.'

Customer Reviews

Good old fashioned storytelling
I must admit that I was attracted to this book as it mentioned Richard and Judy's Bookclub. Not that I read all they recommend but they are usually worth a look. Then I found out that it was the author's previous book that was referred to "The House at Riverton" so I read that first.

It was good, but for me this one is better. It is set in Australia and Cornwall in the past and present. It starts with a puzzle and a rather heart rending one at that. A four year old girl is left on a steamer heading to Australia in 1912, apparently abandoned and unnoticed by the authorities. Who would do such a thing, and why?

There follows a well written multi layered story that untangles the complexities of the girls life. We see Edwardian society from the viewpoint of the rich and the poor. In the present day we see the girls granddaughter coming to terms with her true heritage. A fine mystery that keeps you guessing.

It is a wonderful adventure, reminding me of Daphne du Maurier and even the Famous Five, but in spirit only.

Thoroughly recommended.

Not bad but a bit long-winded
I, like many others who reviewed this book, read and really enjoyed 'The House at Riverton'. This book was also good, up to about two-thirds of the way through. It then became a bit laborious when the answer to the mystery became predictable. The skipping back and forth between time zones was O.K. at first but then became confusing. Nevertheless, not a bad read but expected better after the author's first book.

Dull, derivative, souless and unsatisfactory
A dull read, probably good for a dull day. The plot is straight from Mills & Boon. Little characterisation - people are either good or very bad. A long book which could have been edited to half its length without loss. Each chapter covers a specific time and place - 1900, 1913, 1975, 2005 - but in each chapter there is no sense of time or place. The characters behave the same and use the same vocabulary regardless of era.
It does try to be a modern classic but sadly fails.
Don't bother.