Helpful Score: 10
In the beginning this book had me a little confused. Keeping the characters and their time frame straight was a bit of a challenge, but as soon as I grasped the feel of each individual, their own voices came through and the overall story and flow was much easier to follow.
Having quite enjoyed The House at Riverton, I knew that Morton wouldn't let me down with this telling of Nell who as a very young child was left on a ships dock in 1913 with no note or adult and only a little white suitcase containing some clothes and a volume of fairy tales. The dock master took pity on her and brought her home and raised her as his child. On her 21st birthday, a day that she had so looked forward to, her father told her the truth. Destroying the dreams that Nell had had for her future she was then determined to find her true history.
Unable to find the answers before her death, Nell's granddaughter Cassandra finds the suitcase and takes up her grandmothers search. What ensues is a slow unwrapping of family, betrayal, fear, and greed. The reader has to pay close attention since each chapter is told in a different time frame and the story is slowly revealed with quite a few, "oh, I get it now" moments.
Morton creates a beautiful setting with mystery and intrigue at a Cliff Cottage on the Cornish coast. Don't rush this book, take your time and find the clues along the way.
Having quite enjoyed The House at Riverton, I knew that Morton wouldn't let me down with this telling of Nell who as a very young child was left on a ships dock in 1913 with no note or adult and only a little white suitcase containing some clothes and a volume of fairy tales. The dock master took pity on her and brought her home and raised her as his child. On her 21st birthday, a day that she had so looked forward to, her father told her the truth. Destroying the dreams that Nell had had for her future she was then determined to find her true history.
Unable to find the answers before her death, Nell's granddaughter Cassandra finds the suitcase and takes up her grandmothers search. What ensues is a slow unwrapping of family, betrayal, fear, and greed. The reader has to pay close attention since each chapter is told in a different time frame and the story is slowly revealed with quite a few, "oh, I get it now" moments.
Morton creates a beautiful setting with mystery and intrigue at a Cliff Cottage on the Cornish coast. Don't rush this book, take your time and find the clues along the way.
Helpful Score: 7
Enjoyable read. Great book for a trip or a few afternoons. Easy to read, and connect with the characters. A story filled with travel, discovery, surprise, love, and connection. This book would be good for a book club since it has many themes throughout the story that could be discussed. However, even if you read it for the simple joy of reading...you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 7
My favorite book, since first hearing it read aloud by my teacher as a 3rd grader has been THE SECRET GARDEN. Who would have dreamed that this book was a grown-up version with the same breath-catching excitement. The character's histories are woven together beautifully as the author skips from one viewpoint and point in history to another. Love, love, love this book!
Helpful Score: 6
This was a pretty good book but I felt it could have ended much sooner than it did. I had it all figured out many chapters before it ended. Seemed to drag a little. Also I kept getting mixed up about who some of the minor characters mixed up. Don't know...maybe they weren't developed enough but I would get frustrated when they would pop up and I'd have to go back and figure out who they were. All in all and okay book but not a favorite for me.
Helpful Score: 6
Compelling story, pedestrian writing.
