Okay, well I fell in love with this novel! It may take its place in one of the top five spots on my life-long list of favorite novels! So, you may ask, “Why is that?” Now, I’m challenged to come up with some reasons as to why I really, really liked this book. First of all, it is well written. The author, an Australian woman, was made famous by the popular The House at Riverton (2008). Secondly, this novel , which covers three generations of women, including a fairy tale artist and present day artist, pushed my imagination far.
Set in the early 1900s in Australia and reaching to the last part of the twentieth century in England, most of the action revolves in and around the mysterious Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast. A master at creating an enchanting scene, Morton enables the reader to picture the wind blown trees, the beautiful secret walled garden leading from the circular maze, the long, winding climb up the ocean cliffs,and the dangerous carriage rides in London. The three main characters, all united in their quest, even though separated by 50-60 years, pull the reader’s heart strings and create great emotional involvement. Love and romance, as suspected on an ancient country estate, do not disappoint either. Throw in a huge mystery involving the disappearance of one of the women, and the reader is hooked and cannot put the book down!
One more thing: a four-year-old girl is abandoned on a ship sailing from England to Australia! This novel has it all! A favorite among English and Australian readers, Morton is quickly taking her place among American readers ready for a well written, beautiful story. I’m so glad the publisher’s rep at Simon and Schuster handed me this book!
-Nan
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