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 a 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 …
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.
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Very interesting book about family relations and why they are what they are.
One of my favorites!
One of my favorite books!
This is one of the greatest books I have read. It kept me interested long after I finished it.
One of the greatest books I’ve ever read!
A slow burn read, this book will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. It took me a while to get into the storyline, to connect with the characters, but keep going because you won’t be disappointed. Kristin Hannah’s beautiful way with words is displayed in the finest of forms yet again in “Winter Garden”. Her prose and character …
So good
This is my 4th Kristin Hannah book and I plan on reading all of them. She is simply amazing…love her writing and characters and of course the feelings. I’ve cried, at some point, with every book I’ve read so far and LOVE it.
Meredith and Nina do not understand why their mother hates them. Their entire childhood has been loves with cold and …
The first part of the book was a little draggy but very important as the story unfolds. Learned a lot of things that happened in Russia during the war. A wonderful story that will haunt you forever.
Another great book by Kristen Hannah
I thoroughly enjoyed Winter Garden. The author, Kristen Hannah is one of my favorite authors. Her character development is spot on & believable. She is wonderful story teller!
Very good writing.
Interesting characters lead into a story of hardship and coping. A picture of Stalins Russia in WW II. Caotivating story of courage and survival.
Secrets can destroy a family or rebuild it or in this case at least provide an explanation. My heart hurt for the mother after disliking her for most of the book. I was so relieved that her daughters finally learned some truths and explanations about their mother but it only happened as a final request from their beloved father.
It was my favorite …
This is a story that will stay with you forever. Very well written.
Hannah is quickly becoming an autobuy for me. I think I loved this one even more than The Nightingale. I was a wreck at the end! 🙂
Can’t get enough of this author, in this book she creates a wonderful story with characters you love.
A mother has a mystery past. As good as Nightingale.
This book reminded me of my mother-in-law and her mom‘s relationship. It broke my heart but also reminded me of the incredible powerful love of a mom. Amazing read!
Kristen Hannah has a knack for exploring relationships – at their best and at their worst.