Winter Garden

There is so much I could say about this story. At first I thought it moved too slow and was depressing, BUT then Anya started telling her Fairy Tale in deeper detail and I was completely captivated. Ohh the terror, fear, sadness, strength and hope! I will never think of Russia and WWII the same way again. Many of us just do not truly understand. This is a “must” read for those that enjoy historical backgrounds woven into the story. The ending was so wonderful that I read the last 3rd of the book again.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah is a slower-paced novel compared to some of her other works, but it is every bit as beautiful and moving. The story unfolds with patience, drawing you deeply into the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Hannah’s gift for weaving history and personal narrative shines as the characters’ journeys gradually reveal hidden truths. While it may take longer to settle into the rhythm, the emotional payoff is powerful and unforgettable. The prose is rich, the storytelling heartfelt, and the themes of love, loss, and resilience resonate long after the last page. A highly recommended read for anyone who appreciates Hannah’s ability to craft stories that stay with you.

I’m a big KH fan - I love historical fiction, and I love the way she tells stories. However, I have a love/hate reaction to this book. *Spoilers* What I loved: - the story of Leningrad; just like in her book, The Women and the mostly untold story of women in Vietnam, I was so interested in the story of a woman who survived the siege of Leningrad. I have read so many books that took place during WWII, but this was a new perspective that kept me interested - the story ending was both heartwarming and heartbreaking - the unraveling and development of Anya, Meredith, and Nina’s characters and story What I hated: - I didn’t really understand why she treated her daughters the way she did… it wasn’t really explained. Yes, I understand her difficult past, but never felt that it was justified. You can love your husband, but not your children? - how quickly the book ended - SPOILER —- she vaguely says she was sent to a camp and then was rescued from it — WHAT? We’re just going to breeze right past that? Lame. - Also, what did she do to get onto that train?? She can’t just say “I won’t tell you because I wasn’t myself” - I’m pretty sure I can assume, but I don’t like how it was presented.

Winter Garden was an emotional story of the relationships between daughters and their mother. It is told in two timelines, one from the present and the other from the mother's past life. It is a heartbreaking read as the story unfolds with the mother's recall of her life explaining the reason for her coldness and lack of love for her daughters. The author created an extraordinary read that expands across time and place as she takes the reader on a journey they will never forget. The story told by the mother is related to a fairy tale which she has been sharing with her daughters at bedtime since they were young. She never tells the whole story until she is forced to after her husband's sudden death leaving her to live with her daughters. It is heartbreaking to see how the two sisters struggle with life and decision making after they lose their father who has been their support. He never explains why their mother is so distant and strange toward them. He keeps telling them that it is their mother's story to tell. I thoroughly enjoyed this story that swept me away to the past life of their mother, Vera. Like all books created by Kristin Hannah, this is an exceptional story that is full of interesting characters, fascinating storylines, and expertly written prose. I highly recommend it!

I do have a few critiques and I almost stopped reading at one point. If you reach that point about halfway through, keep going! It dovetails beautifully in the last third of the book and explains all the things you’re confused about. Others have said it better than I could, but this is another fantastic Kristin Hannah story that hits that niche vein of Historical Fiction meets modern day contemporary themes. The ending had me too stunned to speak and I literally stared at my fireplace to a point my husband thought I was having a medical episode. This is less of a critique and more of a word of caution, but if you have eldest daughter trauma or emotionally unavailable mother trauma, the first 2/3 of this book will be a difficult read. I nearly gave up but I’m glad I didn’t. Only true critique I have is I did feel that modern portion of the book in the beginning went a bit long and repetitive. The part in Leningrad I craved more content. The author in the Behind the Book section shared her extensive research into the Leningrad siege. I would have liked more there. Still one of my favorite books. I give it a solid 9/10 and plan to reread (just the Leningrad part)

I never knew that such suffering had happened in Russia. It’s heart breaking and heroic at the same time. Incredible what these people went through.

This is the first book I've read by this author. I picked it up because it was what my book club was reading next. If you like family stories, stories that have a bit of Russian history to them, or this author...you'll probably enjoy this. Some of the material was "heavy", meaning not joyful and uplifting. I liked the story, both the character's current lives and past drama. Some of my book club members felt the book was depressing due to historical subject matter and the mother's relationship with her grown children. I'd read it again and/or recommend it to others.

That intertwines the complexities of family dynamics with the harsh realities of war. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the author crafts a narrative that effortlessly transports readers into the life of the characters, evoking a wide range of emotions. The story’s dual timeline adds depth and intrigue, keeping readers engaged until the very end. With beautifully written prose and richly developed characters “winter garden” is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit, it’s definitely a 5star read for anyone seeking a powerful and unforgettable story … may or may not be a historical and contemporary fiction … a story that is exploring the hard history and human connection to remember it …

Great holiday reading! What intriguing relationships between the characters! Interesting to see what happenings force certain characters to reveal inner feelings!

Loved the book and how it was written. I will definitely look for more books by Kristin Hannah as this is the first of her books I have read.

Lectura obligada, excelente descripción del invierno ruso durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. La autora sabe llevar la historia de la mujer rusa del presente al pasado

Dalle pagine di questo romanzo passano le vite delle persone, tantissime, troppe, che morirono letteralmente di fame nel lungo assedio di Leningrado, spesso dimenticato dai libri di storia. La trama è avvincente, vi consiglio di leggerlo