The Last Rose of Summer

by Di Morrissey

A compelling story of two remarkable women connected across the decades by the men who love them. . . and the magic of a place called Zanana.

KATE, a strong-willed heiress determined to defy Edwardian convention, but she must pay the ultimate price to keep the home she loves so much...

ODETTE, an independent and idealistic young journalist caught in a fierce battle to save Zanana from ruthless developers...

Years apart yet inextricably linked by Zanana, the magnificent mansion they both love, these two striking women prove they are not afraid to fight for what they believe in.

From turn-of-the-century India to contemporary Sydney, The Last Rose of Summer is an epic story of love, possession and intrigue.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Classics

589 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1914

About the author

Di Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.

Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.

In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.

After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Rose of Summer by Di Morrissey is a truly, beautiful story. It's about a magical place called Zanana set hidden away a bit on the banks of the Parramatta River in Sydney. If you love rose gardens, beautiful old houses, magic and are a spiritual person you are going to love this. I love the part about India and the Indian House. There is magic and imagination and depth throughout the book. I loved it. Thanks, again for another beautiful read this Summer, Di Morrissey.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A fairly enjoyable Australian romantic saga, with a large dollop of sentimentality and predictability.

[Odette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as the other books I have read by this author. The style of writing was good and kept my interest. However, bad luck seemed to last too long - over three generations. Also, there were too many coincidences interwoven with a degree of mysticism which was not to my liking. I enjoyed the language and the description of places, and the mystery surrounding Zanana.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book to listen to.

The Last Rose of Summer by Di Morrissey is stunning, a tear-jerker, unforgettable and soul-stirring. Two thumbs up to the dual timelines, both stories were well-executed.

The imagery in this book will have you completely captivated. So beautiful, so magical and mesmerising. Loved every page.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I Love stories with history themes and Morrissey researches her books so well. A couple of interesting twists at the end almost gives it a Kate Morton feel.
Very well read (audiobook) added to the enjoyment.
Swapping between the two generations added depth and extra interest.
You actually want Zanana to be real so that you can go and see it.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always a good read from Di

[Jill Shortt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enthralling saga.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Rose of Summer covers several generations of the same family and one girl who gets caught up in their story. It is the story of a beautiful house and garden and their attachment to it -- all the elements of a riveting story. However, I found Di Morrissey's overuse of description irritating. Too much time was spent in minute description of irrelevant information.These red herrings led me to expect more out of the book than I was given. Whilst I did enjoy the story, I spent a lot of the time in frustration.

[Chiro Pipashito T H · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is unnecessarily long, the author killed so many characters that she can easily be called a serial killer. Not quite engrossing unlike her other novels.

[Will Clarke · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Di Morressey. Her writing is so rich and main character development so go, I was quite enjoying it…until I got to the scene (spoiler alert) of Odette and Zach the young gypsy man going all the way. I was disappointed that it was presented as something wholesome and good. Odette’s and Zach’s characters would have been presented so much more humanly good if their depth of friendship had not gone sexual. Not, I reiterate, that they got sexual, but that it is presented as good. A weak moment I can accept but not something presented as true and good that is ultimately not.

[Lauren Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this around 25 years ago, it has stuck with me though and I have looked for it in 2nd book shops, so I jumped at the chance when it was deal of the day.
Still a great Aussie yarn.
Pretty tragic and depressing at times.
I love Di Morrisseys's early novels and read them when I was (much) younger.

[Kat Ashworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly sensory stimulating novel, I felt immersed in the visuals and smells of the Zanana gardens and Peace Valley. Inspiring female characters and stunning portrayal of the male characters in there lives. Beautifully woven together.

[Pat Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all Di Morrissey books, I have loved everyone of them.
Until I got my Kindle I read all the hard cover ones.
But now I save them on my Kindle. I just love all Di's Books.
This was sad but a beautiful story with a lots of happy times.

thanks
Pat

[Paul McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author writes sweeping saga that usually take place in the past and present alternating back and forth. It is true here but the story was really well thought out and while I predicted some of the outcome a few things were a complete surprise. Great escapist reading.

[Sreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t read past 45 pages-setting, characters and story did not interest me.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, I have read twice over the years.

[Felicity Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always loved Tears of the Moon by Di Morrissey and this was supposed to be as good. But it wasn't up to its promise. A bit overblown, over-explained, over-written. But a good yarn nevertheless

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic read

[Hannah Dargan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and how it switched from the past to the present. It was really neat to see how the people were interconnected and how the story played out.

[Sue Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyed this beautiful but sad family saga🥰

[Самира Панагова · Rating 5 out of 5]

ICH LIEBE DIESE GESCHICHTE SOOOOOO SEHR ❤❤❤

[Steve]

An AI recommended this book to me kind of out of the blue. I'm curious to see how it reads.

[Wolfhound · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eigentlich verspricht der Titel eine große Australien-Saga, aber es ist mehr eine Familiengeschichte über mehrere Generationen. Für mich hätte das Buch auch in jedem anderen Land spielen können, da nicht wirklich Bezug genommen wird auf australische Gegebenheiten. Es wird viel Bezug auf die Hochzeitsreise nach Indien gelegt, was sich natürlich im Namen des Anwesens Zanana und auch im indischen Pavillon widerspiegelt.

Dennoch hat mir die Geschichte gut gefallen. Mit einigen Abstrichen.

Ich mochte die drei Zeitebenen und wie sie miteinander verwoben wurden und sich abwechselten.

Der Schreibstil hat dazu auch etwas beigetragen, da die Autorin sich zeitweise sehr in der Beschreibung von Details verliert, was dann hier und da recht langatmig wirkt. Dem Buch hätten so 50-100 Seiten weniger bestimmt gut getan.

Auch konnte ich manche Handlungsweisen der Figuren einfach nicht nachvollziehen, unter anderem das Verhalten Roberts nach Catherines Tod. Das war mir, die Drama liebt, tatsächlich eine Spur zu dramatisch.

Die große Enthüllung am Ende war jetzt nicht so überraschend, hat aber das Buch perfekt abgerundet.

Etwas schade finde ich, dass die Bedeutung und Herkunft des Namens Freudentals nur dem Leser eröffnet wurde, Odette aber die tolle Geschichte des Kleinodes nicht erfährt.

Mir hat das Buch gefallen, aber der Funke konnte letztendlich nicht richtig überspringen.

[Carm9n · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here my impressions...
http://carmenyamigos.blogspot.com.es/...

[Paula Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Quite an e enjoyable read with interesting surprises. After reading "Tears of the Moon", I wanted to try another book by this author. I was not disappointed.

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

good read

[Jana Capper · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 such a good read