The Last Garden in England

Sorry to say this historical novel did not do much for me. Perhaps it's because I'm not a gardener. Despite what the book description promises, I did not find this either "poignant" or "unforgettable". Like many new fiction books written these days, this one uses that tried-and-true (in my opinion, overused) device of telling three narratives, from different periods of time, that only come altogether at the very end of the book. • 1907. A little-known-but-soon-to-be-famous garden designer, Venetia Smith, specializes in long-neglected gardens. She is working to design elaborate gardens for famous Highbury House, a Downtown Abbey type home for British landed aristocrats. • 1944. Like many large homes, Highbury House has been requisitioned by the government for use as a convalescent hospital for injured World War II soldiers. Recently-widowed homeowner Diana Symonds is not only dealing with her own grief, her young son, and a domineering sister-in-law, she is also managing the house staff and trying to maintain some semblance of a normal home life. And she is working with a number of "land girls", small town civilians working in agriculture to contribute to the war effort. • 2020. Emma Lovett, a deep lover of history, runs a small gardening company specializing in restoring overgrown gardens to their original design. The opportunity to work at Highbury House is a dream come true. As is the looming prospect of a job offer that would free Emma from all the business-owning tasks she hates doing. Weaving back and forth between time, we follow the stories of these three women and a few others as they navigate war, tragedy, dances, romances, pregnancy, and all manner of secrets and British class prejudice. It sounds like a decent enough premise. Only, for at least half the book, I found it difficult to remember who was who as the author jumped back and forth in time. There are lots of people, multiple romances to track, and too many of the characters didn't seem particularly distinctive to me. I rarely felt any emotion for any of them. BUT, I will close by suggesting that reading this novel might be a totally different experience... if you love gardening.

Review I received a free electronic ARC of this historical novel from Netgalley, Julia Kelly, and Gallery Books Publisher. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Julia Kelly writes a clear engrossing tale, with colorful, personable protagonists and a true historical image of the importance of gardens from Victorian England through today. Proof positive that though a garden can be a bit of this and a bit of that, it can also tell a strong story of life as it could be. Should be. The generations of women and men who lived with and enjoyed the gardens of Highbury House in this novel, from its inception in 1908 through today, come to life in this excellent tale. Both as a personal home and wartime hospital, the gardens enrich the lives and lighten the load of generations of men and women. Julia Kelly brings to life the joy and encouragement just the scent or reflection of light one small flower can add to the hearts and minds of those who notice. And some of us notice a lot. I have had a garden for most of my 72 years, and can't seem to manage without one, but could never put into words the feelings I get from my yards. Julia can, however. Yes. That.