judenoseinabook's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent read. 3rd book I've read by Elizabeth Buchan and they are all quite different in subject matter. This is a between the wars story of fading family fortunes and the power of money, or lack of it to change lives. Matty is a brave character and Daisy her pretty horrid cousin both in love with Kit. Then there is the younger sister and the local GP, all intertwined with the aftermath of WWI.
hannahmayreads's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a marvellous tale. A twisting, turning narrative that almost overwhelms. Within its overly dramatic plot, there is the grounding force of the garden; of the house.
As with many books, the author has forced me to be undecided about its characters - do I admire them, love them, despise them? I have decided to just accept them (as you would your slightly off-kilter family) and to remain undecided. Do we really need to make a settled decision about such things?
I admit my attention was diminished during the middle section of the book, but in the end, it all came together and you see how it is all necessary. There is a great sense of closure in the ending, and I feel satisfied.
As with many books, the author has forced me to be undecided about its characters - do I admire them, love them, despise them? I have decided to just accept them (as you would your slightly off-kilter family) and to remain undecided. Do we really need to make a settled decision about such things?
I admit my attention was diminished during the middle section of the book, but in the end, it all came together and you see how it is all necessary. There is a great sense of closure in the ending, and I feel satisfied.
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
This novel has been in my reading pile for a while and then migrated to my purse. I finished it while eating lunch. This is a book about people, about gardening, and about the power of money to influence behaviour. It begins in the summer of 1929, with the estate of Hinton Dysart getting increasing rundown due to financial limitations. Kit Dysart is the only son in the family and has been told to marry money to save his family estate. At the wedding of his sister Polly, he meets two cousins, the lovely Daisy Chudleigh, and the orphaned heiress Matty Verrall. Both young women fall for him, but he only has eyes for Daisy until his father calls him home to deal with more financial fallout. Matty seizes the situation and proposes and Kit agrees.
But Matty is always aware of the reasons Kit agreed to marry her, and of the feelings he continues to have for her cousin Daisy. Matty is also now resented by Daisy, who has strong feelings for Kit.
Matty's unhappiness grows as she remains unable to have a child, and after redoing the estate and proving herself to be an able manager of the household, she begins on the garden. As she learns more about the garden's history, she discovers her talents in this area, and learns of the link between the Dysart family history and her own situation.
Interspersed with comments on the garden by the present-day Harry, this story set between the wars, has strong characters and shows the love for gardening the author has. A wonderful read.
My copy also included discussion questions and an author interview, so perfect for a book club
But Matty is always aware of the reasons Kit agreed to marry her, and of the feelings he continues to have for her cousin Daisy. Matty is also now resented by Daisy, who has strong feelings for Kit.
Matty's unhappiness grows as she remains unable to have a child, and after redoing the estate and proving herself to be an able manager of the household, she begins on the garden. As she learns more about the garden's history, she discovers her talents in this area, and learns of the link between the Dysart family history and her own situation.
Interspersed with comments on the garden by the present-day Harry, this story set between the wars, has strong characters and shows the love for gardening the author has. A wonderful read.
My copy also included discussion questions and an author interview, so perfect for a book club
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