This book kept us interested and kept us reading to discover where the author was taking her characters. Although all of the members were unable to get the book because of the high demand, those of us that read it really enjoyed it and went out to get the first Kate Morton book, The House at Riverton. Good read.

You become drawn into the story and can't wait to see where it is going. The author does a wonderful job skipping between characters and telling their piece of the tale. Wonderfully written and engrossing

If you liked "The Shadow of the Wind" or "The Thirteenth Tale" you will love this book....Morton sends you on a journey with Cassandra in trying to find out details about Nell's past. You visit each time period through the characters to see how the mystery unfolds. Morton's writing is flawless. Although I did figure out the "mystery" in this book I still couldn't wait to read the whys behind it.... love story, mystery, adventure...this book has it all! I couldn't read for a month after I finished this book; I was so apprehensive I'd never find another book this wonderful!

Great book, takes lots of twists and turns. All members of our group enjoyed reading and discussing. Author is able to draw you into the story with great visualization, character development and suspense.

The story began a bit slow, but once the ground work was set I could barely put the book down. Fairy tales, romance, betrayal, friendship gained and lost, mystery, and a fine family history puzzle. What more could a reader want?

The Forgotten Garden had me visualising the settings beautifully. The movement between countries and eras was great.

This novel is beautifully written. Three time frames are woven together to unravel a family mystery. Twists and turns keep you guessing until the end. The moral and ethical questions make for lively book club discussion! A must read.

This book was compelling and cleverly written. I would recommend it to anyone. For me it was one of my all-time favorites and consider it is a must read. The Forgotten Garden is not one you will soon forget.

I so enjoyed much of The Forgotten Garden. We had a lively discussion about the moral issues brought up in the book at our book club. Morton's writing is very beautiful and perhaps it was her style I enjoyed most.

I loved the interplay between the past and the present. This book was a true "Page-turner". Would love to read more from this author!

It was a good and interesting read. Not terribly deep, but enjoyable.

Three story threads flow around one another to give a lovely, surprising, universal story about women of all generations. The characters are clearly drawn, and very much alive! A mystery, a romance, an adventure - the complete package.

This story kept me reading. Jumped back and forth between time and characters but pulled all together in the end. Our club is reading it now and several have already said they really enjoyed it.

Wow! I could not put this book down. A unique story line, not the same old thing in different words.

I read a lot, and I usually forget the book as soon I start another one. But I will never forget this one. Kate Morton does an incredible job telling the story from all the main characters. It's unpredictable and moving, it's happy and it's sad and it's beautiful all at the same time.

Loved it! I was drawn in by each character, whether they were likeable or not.

This is a wonderful novel! It had me hooked from page 1. The only thing that I didn't like about it was that it had to end. I will definitely reread this book at some point in time. It was magnificent and will be a good book to discuss.

The kind of book you can't put down until the last word! Pleasurable reading.

Loved this book. Hard to put down. I didn't want it to end.

The Forgotten Gotten unravels a mystery of identity. Nell finds out she is not her parents by birth. Nell feels like she no longer knows who she is. So she sets out to find her identity. The story is interesting journal told by three different generations: Nell herself, her mother, and her granddaughter. The book is wonderful story and very thoughtfully put together. Since the story is told by three different generations one may get lost in the back of fourth of time periods. The book is also very length and not sure it is worth the time it takes to get to the end. The Forgotten Garden can easily be a forgotten book with is 500 plus pages. I cannot recommend this book since it is not worth the time and don't feel like majority of the book club will not finish. I do give the book a solid "3 stars" because it is a good read if you have nothing else to do.

A lovely story of love with a hint of mystery. The author used the plait method on the time sequence and setting. It is a little confusing, but the plot was wonderful.

A good story about a Woman discovering her true identy. A search that carries on over generations and continues after her death. It is a little long, and sometimes unbelievable, but overall a good story with very likeable characters.

When I first started reading I thought I would not be able to keep characters straight, and what time they were in, but it was done so well it was easy to follow. I was always left wanting to know more after she went to a different character. I loved the settings and time periods all nicely tied together. I am hoping to get more of Kate Morton's books.

Very often we are intimidated by such a lengthy book but this one kept your interest! There was enough mystery to keep you guessing and yet you were absorbed into the different time frames.One of the best I have read this year!

There are three stories of women of different generations woven through the story. It was very interesting the way it was written. They all went through terrible things and there was a mystery about it that was hard to guess. It just kept you wanting to read more.

this was a great book. a little long, but worth it in the end. I has alot of twists and turns and the author makes you feel for the character I would recommend this book.

While The Forgotten Garden gets off to a slow start, it is a "must read!" Fairytales are masterfully intertwined with the dramatic lives of three generations of women trying to find themselves.

“The Forgotten Garden: A Novel” by Kate Morton
In a word, ‘enchanting’! I loved this book ~ could not put it down. “The Forgotten Garden” is one unforgettable tale. I was enthralled as “Nell” began her quest to trace the roots of her true identity. It's a fascinating story of past and future; a compelling mystery of one family, their roots, distorted history, and deep-dark secrets.

While reading this novel, I felt like a companion to each of the three determined women, in their own time and place.

Eliza is a free spirit, full of life and imagination; she has a gift for creating meaningful fairy tales.

“Nell” is the heart and soul of her ‘family’ until she finds out she isn’t exactly who she thinks she is. On her 21st birthday, a secret is revealed and she extricates herself from her ‘family’ and is filled with great sadness.

Cassandra is “Nell’s” granddaughter with whom she shares a great bond. Out of love and respect for her grandmother, Cass pieces together the puzzle when she discovers the forgotten garden and unlocks the secret of the book of fairy tales.

Ms. Morton has a great imagination and has spun a most delightful piece of fiction. I was entrapped, like prey, as the network of delicate strands of the tangled web of deceptions became unraveled. Don’t let this one pass you by!

from my book bagg blog @ www.keepitsimplesweetee.com/books.htm

I LOVED this book. Excellent for book club or just for reading enjoyment!!!

I LOVED this book! The fairy tales that were expertly woven into this story were so beautiful and such a dramatic touch. I highly recommend this book to any and all book clubs.

Couldn't put it down when I got to the last 50 pages! The book is a mystery. The clues are subtle but there.

This was a fun read!

I randomly picked this book off the shelf at walmart and couldn't put it down! It's full of twists that keep you interested and I felt myself wanting to know more about the characters and find out the true story of the family mystery that is the main focus of this book.

I loved this book!

This book was hard to put down. It tells the journey of a young girl who finds herself alone and abandonded in Australia. When she grows up she goes in search of the family who abandoned her, and this takes her to England. The story unfolds as a mystery, with many discoveries along the way. It is fascinating and complex. This novel is extremely well written. One can picture the scenes in the story as they evolve.

Excellent book. Hard to keep characters straight at the beginning, but once you got to know them it was easier. Kept you reading to see what was going to happen. Recommend highly to other book clubs.

Mystery, treason, detective work, past secrets that affect the present, fairy tales that tells more about the secrets of the past, love, hate, everything is in this novel. A believable story with an aura of Gothic Novel.

Our book club enjoyed the book. We found the middle to be difficult to get through but after that could not put the book down needed to read the end to find out what happened. Enjoyed the book and we rated between 4-5 stars.

Wow! I loved this book!! In my opinion, this novel was brilliantly written. I loved how the characters were so well developed. I felt like I was there watching them! I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn't reading it!! Until now, I have never read a book with such imaginaton,creativity, adventure, mystery and fairy tales all woven together. I would highly recommend this book!!

This book piqued my interest from the very first page. The author has a beautiful writing style and weaves her characters' stories together in a way that had me begging for answers yet not wanting the book to end! We had a great discussion in our book club - everyone was just enamored with this tale.

This is a book you will never forget. Fantastic!

I could not put this one down. I loved the way it skipped from past to present and told the story from so many characters views.

I recommended this book for our club because a friend with a book blog described it as a perfect book to hole up with in a remote cottage. After reading it, we agreed with that description. Kate Morton creates an enchanting and captivating world, with likable characters (and some clearly not likable ones, as well). The cross-generational timelines were well depicted -- not confusing at all. It wasn't the page-turning mystery some reviews have billed it as, but there is certainly some wonder in it.

Inspite of it being a large book I finished it in record time. I couldn't wait until the end to find out for sure but suspecected the outcome. I would recommend it and look forward to reading other books by this author

An family epic that spans 105 years. There are three main characters and the story joins lives from Australia and England.

Great book - well written and interesting. Liked the interweaving of the past and present. Good discussion about how far would you go for someone you really cared about.

I was captured by Nell as the lost little girl and swept away by the fairy tales within the story. For the author to have added them was just wonderful! The twists and connections later made were perfectly done! I loved the story written in generational pieces. Each of the 3 main characters grabbed hold of my heart.

Loved the interchange of years to become familiar with the entire history of the characters. We all agreed that we were surprised at the turn(s) of events throughout the story, and that it had a surprise ending!

This was the first book chosen by our newly organized book club. While several of us were confused in the beginning by the shifting back and forth between characters and their stories, we soon learned the significance of the author's reasons for doing so. While often this story seemed to be tragic, we felt that the book as a whole was more of a love story. As former teachers, we gave it an "A" and highly recommend it to any group considering reading it.

While most of the women in my book group enjoyed this book, I got bored very quickly. To many boring characters and flip flopping back and forth to location and time. I really was interested to see what happened next and didn't bother to finish it.

I loved the time/character switches, and you were not sure of the the whole story until the end. A unique combination of characters that you were not sure of their role though out the story.

There is a lot to keep up with, but overall an excellent read. The story line's continuity through out each of the characters/generations is fabulous. Well written... I'll definitely check out some of this author's other work.

Takes place over many decades and two countries oceans apart with several key figures and, although it was interesting, I found it confusing and needed to go back to clarify who was where at what time.

Several jumps to different time periods. I kept reading mostly out of curiosity, but it just didn't capture me like I had hoped!

read this with my bookclub. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed it and I look forward to the discussion.

Great read!I liked the way it spanned the generations.

Our club found that this book was very difficult to get into. All the girls were struggling to get it finished in time for the meeting. However, once they reached a certain point everyone found themselves engaged and curious as to what happened next. Well written, intriguing, detailed, and thought out. A great book as long as you can push yourself through the beginning!

Kate Morton has become my favorite author! Her writing style is wonderful and I would highly recommend her books to anyone!

A tale spanning four generations that shows how we are all impacted by events that we did not even know had happened. Fractured family comes together in the great-granddaughter as she learns of her grandmother's secrets and discovers the story behind the secrets. Well written and keeps one interested. The author did an awesome job of tying up all the loose ends.

Same writing technique as Sarah's Key and The Island in that author switches time zones often. This is beginning to annoy me. Be original if you are a writer. Too much time spent on telling the fairytales. Not enough character development.

Very good read. It was confusing, but very worth sticking it out.

This book reads like a "beach book" but has so many levels to it to keep it intriguing and thought provoking.

Our group rated this book a 4+. Many felt it was difficult to get into at first because each chapter jumped from one time period to another, and many characters were introduced. As we continued reading it, however, the different strands started to come together. We enjoyed reading as the mystery of Nell's beginnings began to unfold. Though it was an unusually long book,(almost 600 pages) most agreed that it was well-written and worth reading to the end.

I love generational novels and I certainly enjoyed this novel too. At times the book was a little slow but I enjoyed the characters.

Family saga and mystery read. The plot is good and does keep you guessing. The end was a little touching but when it is all said and done most of the characters face some terrible hardship or never really get what they want and so you ultimately just feel sorry for them.That's why I couln't quite give it a 5 star rating.

The fairy tales woven throughout were clever and imaginative and the mysterious hunt kept me turning pages.

Wonderful! This book was enjoyed by our entire book club. So well written it interested you as soon as you started reading it. The story was spun perfectly. The only complaint by some of us was at a certain part of the book, you really had to "think" about who was who as it jumps from one time period to another. But we all agreed it didn't take away from the book and in fact the jumping through time to tell the story was part of the reason it was so great! Enjoy a great read!

I really enjoyed this book. It kept my interest from the very beginning, drawing me further into the story. Always wanting to know what happens next. I would hightly recommend this to other book clubs. But this is not a book that you can put down after reading just a few pages. You need to stick with it so that you can keep the characters straight. If you don't you'll have to go back and re-read a few pages to get back into it.

I will definately read more from this author.

Addictive story with characters that stay with you. Gave us much to talk about at our monthly bookclub meeting!

This book is a page turner. I could not put it down. I liked it better than House At Rivington.

This was a fabulous book! I couldn't put it down. Very well written! Hard to keep track of who's who but also good because it's a mystery. I kept track on paper so I could refer to notes when I was a bit lost.

Wonderful book! Could not put it down. Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective, so that took a little getting used to. Highly recommend!

Great read!! Very captivating!!

I really liked this book. I liked the way the author writes from many view points, historical perspectives,and time periods. the latter half of the book reminded me a bit of Wuthering Heights. The mystery and suspense were well played throughout the novel.

I have to admit that I was reading the book with several grandchildren under foot, but I found it rather confusing with the different characters, time periods and places. It was a good story and it was all brought to an end with a bit of a twist.

Our club loved this book.

Family saga. Mystery. The Forgotten Garden takes time to read: clues scattered from one generation to the next from 1900-2005. Most in the book club liked the book and found topics to discuss.

An intensely satisfying read. Epic or saga type story with a mystery to boot. Although long and early on difficult to keep track of what time period the story was being narrated from (3 different eras), it was compelling and the last 200 pps were a page turners. Most everyone in our group really enjoyed the book

Loved it!

At first the jumping time periods were confusing, but you quickly learn the characters. If you love mysteries with a little suspense and no gore, this is for you.

Everyone enjoyed the book and the characters. Once we understood the flashbacks, we felt they were well done.

One of my favorite books of all times! One person told me she kept a note listing all the different characters to keep them straight. Good idea.

As a library assistant, I have recommened this book to many patrons. It touches on many sences of a woman's life and look forward to more novels by Morton

Very interesting and dramatic . . . kept my interest. I had questions about events and kept reading to find the answers. Loved it.

My group had a great time discussing this book. We loved how it was told from many points of view and through many dfferent generations. I also liked the beautiful descriptions of the garden and estate and the fairy tales. I can't wait to read more of her books.

Very different book. The lives of various women of four generations interact and impact each other in ways they struggle to uncover. Part genealogy search, part struggle to discover personal identity-with a fairy tale book connection. Explores bonds of friendship, family and marriage --and role of envy, jealousy, and loyalty in these personal relationships. Choices made cause unforeseen consequences. Lots to discuss and many questions left unanswered by the book.

It took me about 50 pages to really get into it, and I'm only halfway done now, but I am loving this novel. The narrative switching back and forth between time periods and characters takes a little getting used to, but Morton is a gifted writer and really makes it coherent.

Let me start with my one major negative. Actions taken by some of the characters seemed unrealistic at times. I found it hard to believe some of the motivations. But, when I decided to take a leap of faith and buy into the story line, I became hooked. This is an epic tale of multiple generations of women struggling basically to find out who they are, what they believe, and what matters to them. There is a secret to be discovered, and a quest to solve this puzzle. However, the greater puzzle to be solved is that within each women. So, if you identify the answer before it is revealed in the story, look instead to the discoveries each woman makes about herself, and you will find the true purpose of their quest.

This is a thicker book than I would normally pick, especially for a book club slection but it was great. My kind of book. A mystery that spans over years. I'm so glad I picked it and I would recommend to anyone.

Very interesting read. Difficult to follow in the beginning. I guessed the secret mid-way through the book but did not anticipate the ending. It was well written and the storyline woven beautifully. The most captivating line for me "A story about a young woman who lived alone in a dark wood, who made the wrong decision for the right reason and destroyed herself in the process."

In the beginning, it is a little difficult to keep the era and some of the characters straight as it jumps through time a bit. But the characters are well developed and it is very easy to get caught up in the lives of Eliza, Rose, Nell and Cassandra.

Loved the story and the way it was told from past and present perspectives. Great story, great characters, and absolutely addictive. I couldn't put it down.

Loved this book and could not put it down. The story takes so many twists and turns it really makes you think as you follow many characters. I have now started reading other Kate Morton books.

I would give this book a 10 if I could. Loved it...absolutely amazing....the writing is a masterpiece.

All the mysteries and secrets of the Mountrachet family are revealed....the ending is superb.

The story goes back and forth in time telling the story of how little Nell was put on a boat to Australia without an adult and how the portmaster and his wife in Australia took her in as their own. Nell's life makes a complete turn around for her when her father tells her on her 21st birthday that she isn't really his child.

The book tells of the generations before and after Nell. It is masterfully written...you don't want to put it down until you find out who Nell really is and until you find all the secrets about how she arrived on the boat and in Australia and the significance of the forgotten garden....the garden plays a huge part in the unraveling of the secrets and mysteries in the book.

I usually don't re-read books, but I would re-read this just to be sure I "got" all the facts straight...it was just fantastic....the story was very clever and the characters unforgettable....I didn't want the book to end.

Very interesting; mesmerizing

Page turner, sad, exciting and descriptive

Wonderful story but felt the book was too long, and slow at times.

This book was beautifully written. Our book club members overall really enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery. " Just when you really think you have it all figured out" said one member, "the author shows you how wrong you are".

I loved this book, it even brought me to tears at one point. Highly recommend this book for your book club selections.

As hard as I\'ve tried to complete this book it is just too slow and I could not get through it. There are sections that just drag right into the next slow section. This was chosen as a book club book and I hate to not complete it, however, it was just much to boring to hold my interest.

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning. It's a mystery in a broad sense, a love story in a sense, a tragedy in a sense, and tale of discovery. It was just extremely intriguing and kept me interested from beginning to end.

Lots of twisty turns and soap opera worthy scandals - this was a great multi-generational story that was loved by every member of my book club. We\\\'re all looking forward to reading more by Kate Morton in the near future!

An engaging fantasy piece of literature---entertaining.

Loved this book, read it twice and found it better than The House at Riverton.

I stole that from someone on Amazon, but it sums it up nicely. Too long, too convoluted, too many coincidences that didn't ring true. Just this side of a romance novel in my opinion. Several in my book club enjoyed the intertwining stories and we had a good discussion about family histories, adoption, and The Secret Garden. Several of us found tiresome the fairy tales that are interspersed within the chapters.

We rated this book an A.