I really like this author - and I really like this book! I think I liked it even better than The Forgotten Garden. Morton has a talent for telling two or three stories at a time, connecting them, and yet developing each character in their own right; in their own time. I get caught up in the different time periods as I'm reading them, but when Morton switches to a different character - or a different generation - I am quickly redrawn into their story. I will definitely be reading her other two novels!
I loved Jimmy! I loved how he took care of his father, so patiently and lovingly. I loved how loyal he was to the people he loved. Is that enough love for you? ;) **Spoiler Alert** I was conflicted about Dorothy nearly the entire novel. I just couldn't reconcile Laurel's mother with the wartime Dorothy, who seemed so incredibly vain, selfish, and materialistic. Yes, she was very young, and she lost her entire family, but everything was all about her. I hated when she turned down Jimmy's marriage proposal!! She was so delusional about who she was and how other people saw her. Vivien was a true enigma. Her story was tragic. Her actions were completely understandable, once you know what's going on, but before that - wow! I did not understand why she was so cold to everyone. Vivien and Dorothy both lived outside of reality for many years; both had a "fantasy life"; both lost their parents and siblings tragically; both did the best they could, I guess, with what life dealt them - but Vivien was my favorite character by far (next to Jimmy!) I loved "watching" her fall in love with Jimmy, and vice versa. I like how Morton tied up "loose ends" without making it seem like an "add-on". I did not figure out on my own who sent the Thank You to Dorothy. I just journeyed through the story along with Laurel - waiting for her to figure it out! :) Fortunately she did!
Kate Morton also has a talent for making sad endings kind-of happy - and of making happy endings kind-of sad. I am always sad about what was "lost", but happy about what perservered, if that makes any sense. In both The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Keeper, I really had no idea how the story would end. In both books she combines history with the present; in both books I felt happy/sad. Very good storyteller!
Wendy's Rating: *****
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