Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Lost Garden

I've been a fan of Irish author Mary Stanley for some time so when I picked up her book The Lost Garden recently I felt that I was going to reading a sure thing, a completely satisfying novel. I'm sorry to say that I was a bit disappointed in this book.



The Lost Garden is the story of Esme, a woman who has moved to Paris for a year to be closer to her lover. She meets an acquaintance of his named Jacob who happens to be a psychiatrist, and because she is lonely and bored she begins telling him the story of her life, a lot of which has to do with her unluckiness in love. Esme then moves on and begins a relationship with another man, but continues to think about the conversations she had with Jacob and the fact that she hadn't told him everything. Slowly, we meet Esme's three daughters as the pursue their interests around the world and events ultimately bring all four women back to their home in London.

It's obvious early on that Esme has something in her past that she is hiding and it's not until the last third of the book that we find out what that is. Esme confronts her past, a 'twist' is revealed, and finally another 'twist' that only the reader knows about.

I've enjoyed Stanley's writing so much in the past, and I just didn't find that this book had the same texture, pacing, and texture as her other novels. When I read my description of this book, it doesn't even sound very interesting to me! I just figured it would be good based on the writer.

If you want to try this author, I suggest starting with another of her books, such as Retreat, Missing or Revenge.

12 comments:

Amy said...

I"m sorry it was a disappointment for you, but gosh if that isn't the prettiest cover!!!

bermudaonion said...

I hate it when an author I've enjoyed in the past lets me down. I agree with Amy - the cover is great!

JoAnn said...

Sorry to hear this was disappointing...but the cover is gorgeous!

Bookfool said...

I've never heard of this author. Sorry it was a disappointing title. Hopefully, the next one will be better. The cover is absolutely beautiful!

Staci said...

Thanks for the great review because I would've picked this book up just based on the cover alone!!

christina said...

That stinks that the book didn't leave up to standards. Especially because the cover is soooo gorgeous!

Tara said...

So funny that everyone has commented on the cover - it is pretty isn't it!

Bybee said...

Nice cover, but I hate the headless thing. Or half-a-head. Sorry you were disappointed. I hate when that happens.

Anna said...

That's a gorgeous cover! And the book sounds really good, too. I'll have to keep this one in mind.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I could see myself buying this book for the cover so I'm glad to read your review (instead)!!!

Danielle said...

I guess when an author writes a lot of books a few are likely to be duds. To bad you didn't enjoy this one as much as you had hoped. I bought one of her books (maybe the first?) when you first wrote about her. I'm looking forward to it.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

The cover is awfully pretty, but I don't think I'd like this story??