Winter Garden
Written by Kristin Hannah
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
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.
Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah is an award-winning international number one bestselling author with over 25 million copies of her books sold worldwide. Her most recent titles, The Four Winds, The Nightingale and The Great Alone won numerous best fiction awards and her earlier novel, Firefly Lane, is currently a bestselling series on Netflix. Kristin is a lawyer-turned-writer and is the mother of one son. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle.
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Reviews for Winter Garden
2,739 ratings228 reviews
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5I just couldn’t listen because the reader didn’t read the book but acted it out like a play. The child’s voice was irritating and didn’t leave it up to me to decide if l thought the child to be irritating. I felt this was stolen from me as a listener to a book.
I’m going to read it instead1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5After reading The Nightingale, I jumped when I saw this new book by Kristin Hannah. And rightly so. The stories that Hannah weaves in her novels are compelling, personal, beautifully written, and complex. The story is about a family challenged by the secrets of the mother's past... one that gradually unfolds (and is not put-downable), revealing great love, tragedy, struggle, survival, and healing. The growth, humor, and realism of the women characters made me smile as if they were friends of mine.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautiful story with all the feels. Be ready to cry.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Not fan of how the author forced the ending. It was good as it was. No need to add twist at the ending.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5OK, was the ending a little forced? Yes.
Will it also warm your heart and help you believe in the power of family? Also yes.
I am very unfamiliar with what life in Russia during this time and this book provided some real insight into the horrors that the poor people in that area had to endure. I flew through this book (audiobook), even though the beginning seemed to go on for a while. Once the story really got rolling it was impossible to stop listening. Kristin Hannah has a brilliant mind for storytelling and this book is no different! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bravo! The storyline is long and sad at times but very moving and will have you thinking about it long after you turn off the audio.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5amazing! what a heart wrenching and beautifully story. i was completely locked into the tale of these 3 amazing women and the past that would be revealed. a tear jerker too!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fabulous heart wrenching story. Had me crying in the car. Awesome narration.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I almost felt like this was two different books, although most people obviously liked it a bit better than I did. The first part seemed kind of disjointed and almost unbelievable to me. It was also very depressing, but perhaps this is because I am the sole caregiver of an elderly parent. I found it too much to believe that the two sisters in book could be so totally ignorant of their mother's story and of the history and geography of Leningrad/St. Petersburg, Russia. Things I take for granted, came as big surprises to these two. However, once the mom started telling her story in the latter half of the book, the story really took off. If you just read the italicized parts of the story, you are in for a great read. The whole thing is a little draggy. Overall, it's worthwhile, however. The ending surprised me, and was pretty well-done.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excuse me while I both stand in awe of this story. This has easily moved into my top 3 favorite books of all time. This will be one that haunts me for years to come. Put whatever else you’re reading on hold and start this one now.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The true Russian history was great a bit of a slow start
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5First book from this author. I really enjoyed it and will try others from this author.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The characters were so stiff! I only stuck with it to FINALLY hear the Leningrad story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5There was language and sex, but the story was deep and well worth it. Great look at history from a different angle.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Roller coaster of emotions. Amazing. Kristin Hannah never disappoints.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the saddest stories I have ever read. Be warned.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's real, touching, warm, it's the family, it's the war that only those who lived it know
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent story with so many twists. I hated to see it end.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely beautiful story. Narration was awesome. Can’t get any better than this.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of my all time favorite books!!! I just reread it and still loved it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Slow start, but once I got several hours in I couldn’t stop!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great story! It starts off a little slow, but it turns out great!! Love this author’s books!!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Okay this book felt overly long, I was halfway through before I finally couldn't put it down. And for a 15h audiobook, that is a very long time ?
AND THAT ENDING. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hands down one of the best books written. What an amazing story!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved it for the history of the war of women.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wow! Such a great book!! Must listen!!
I couldn’t put it down. You will need tissues. Just wow!! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Such a tragically beautiful book! I literally sobbed listening to the end.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A brilliantly written book. I loved every minute of it - I smiled and cried and thought about my own wonderful family and wish I knew all the stories of their happiness and pain in war-torn Europe. Thank you Kristin!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the best books I’ve ever read. Definitely a must read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely loved the story,couldn’t put it down,but near the end was just wonderful