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The Winter Garden: A Novel
Book by Verweerd, Johanna, Verweerd, Joke
269 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 1, 2013
I read this book with my mom. However, it was unlike the other books that we've read together in that it was an extremely passive book. I can't think of a better way to phrase it. Not much happened - the majority of the book was internal dialogue, and pretty much every other page there was a flashback that Ika, the main character, had about her (very unhappy) childhood, but not a lot happened in those, either. The reader does get a good picture of how miserable her childhood was, though.
The reader doesn't learn that much about Ika. I'm not even sure if we're told how old she is, although from other ages in the book that were given, the reader could figure it out. I had a very hard time picturing her in my mind, and I never really felt that close to her as a character, which is not a good thing for a protagonist if the author wants the reader to like him/her. I was struggling to care about what happened in the rest of the book once I was about halfway. The biggest mystery is who Ika's father is, and that is why she comes back to see her mother, who is dying, after being away for 15 years. However, even that mystery is a pretty quiet one.
Overall, I am glad that I read this book, even if just to be exposed to a different writing style than what I normally read. Ms. Verweerd writes with choppy sentences, whereas I am more used to longer, more flowing writing. Also, of course, the passivity of the novel was new to me as well. As long as you keep those two things in mind, though, it wasn't a bad read. Just not really one that was a favorite of mine.
The reader doesn't learn that much about Ika. I'm not even sure if we're told how old she is, although from other ages in the book that were given, the reader could figure it out. I had a very hard time picturing her in my mind, and I never really felt that close to her as a character, which is not a good thing for a protagonist if the author wants the reader to like him/her. I was struggling to care about what happened in the rest of the book once I was about halfway. The biggest mystery is who Ika's father is, and that is why she comes back to see her mother, who is dying, after being away for 15 years. However, even that mystery is a pretty quiet one.
Overall, I am glad that I read this book, even if just to be exposed to a different writing style than what I normally read. Ms. Verweerd writes with choppy sentences, whereas I am more used to longer, more flowing writing. Also, of course, the passivity of the novel was new to me as well. As long as you keep those two things in mind, though, it wasn't a bad read. Just not really one that was a favorite of mine.
September 12, 2007
This book illustrates very well how messy and slow forgiveness can be, and how the process of forgiveness can take so much energy and determination to really happen. It made me reflect on the forgiveness I've been given freely in Christ and very thankful for it.
The book follows a woman as she returns to her home after 11 years of no contact with her family. There are many past hurts to face as she returns to care for her dying mother. She must confront these shadows which at times stir up anxiety in her that threatens to overwhelm her like a wave in a stormy sea.
The book follows a woman as she returns to her home after 11 years of no contact with her family. There are many past hurts to face as she returns to care for her dying mother. She must confront these shadows which at times stir up anxiety in her that threatens to overwhelm her like a wave in a stormy sea.
March 27, 2011
"The covers of this book are too far apart." Ambrose Bierce
The only reason I started this book, and the only reason I finished it, was that it was the selection for this month's book at my local library's reading club.
From my opening quote you can tell I did not like this book at all. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen as I read and read, and in the end that never occurred. I could also never find any interest in the main character, a timid and helpless person her entire life.
The only reason I started this book, and the only reason I finished it, was that it was the selection for this month's book at my local library's reading club.
From my opening quote you can tell I did not like this book at all. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen as I read and read, and in the end that never occurred. I could also never find any interest in the main character, a timid and helpless person her entire life.
June 5, 2009
An interesting book that takes readers on that ever stimulating journey from past to present and back again. The human spirit is such a tremendously strong entity, it always looks for a reason to continue.
September 11, 2011
Nice to read a book not written for the American ear (eye?). Story of love, loss and redemption, but not typical and certainly engaging.
May 19, 2018
A thoughtful portrait of a woman coming to terms with her past.
When Ika Boerema receives a letter from her sister, to tell her that their mother is dying, she hardly knows what to do about it. She has distanced herself from her family for the past 15 years. Why on earth would Nelly expect her to come home now? And yet.... and yet. What if her mother had actually been the one asking for her to come? Even after all these years, she can't help but hope for some glimmer of love and acceptance from her mother.
She thought she had put her painful childhood behind her, but this letter brings it all back. She was the older sister, and always the scapegoat for every harsh word, stern rebuke, and raised hand. Her father couldn't stand the sight of her, it always seemed, and her mother's affections wavered greatly. Nelly was always the favorite--of them all, including Ika. She swore she would protect her little sister from whatever their dysfunctional family could throw at her. Somehow, though, it wasn't sweet Nelly that needed protecting, but Ika, and there wasn't anyone around to protect her most of the time.
So now. The letter. What to do? She finally decides she must return home, to deal with the pieces of her past the best she can and attempt a reconciliation with Nelly. In order to keep herself grounded in the present, in the life she has painstakingly created for herself over the years, she brings her current work project: designing a Winter Garden for the Plaza Hotel. She hopes it will be life preserver enough to keep her from drowning in the ocean of hurtful memories that will certainly surface as she returns.
* * * * *
This one was slow-moving. Entire worlds of nuance were embedded in every look, sigh, silence, and conversation. Liberally sprinkled with flashbacks, we got to know Ika the daughter and older sister before we got to know the Ika the woman very much. It was all about the characters and finding out what made them tick--in the past, and present.
Ika's mother was an interesting character; hard to understand. The daughter of a prominent minister, she had to endure a lifetime of disgrace when she became pregnant out of wedlock. Perhaps the weight of that shame was too much to carry. (Ika's full name was "Ikabod" meaning "shame"--named by the Grandfather.) There were Christian themes interwoven throughout the story, along with scriptures.
It wasn't all heavy and depressing. There were bright spots here and there. Ika's friendship with her boss, Simone, was one, as were her growing relationships with her sister, and the brother-in-law and nephews she had never met.
If you like character-driven books, this one should be right up your alley.
Incidentally, Ika's plans for the Winter Garden sounded completely lovely.
Content: Emotional, verbal, and some physical abuse toward Ika as a child.
When Ika Boerema receives a letter from her sister, to tell her that their mother is dying, she hardly knows what to do about it. She has distanced herself from her family for the past 15 years. Why on earth would Nelly expect her to come home now? And yet.... and yet. What if her mother had actually been the one asking for her to come? Even after all these years, she can't help but hope for some glimmer of love and acceptance from her mother.
She thought she had put her painful childhood behind her, but this letter brings it all back. She was the older sister, and always the scapegoat for every harsh word, stern rebuke, and raised hand. Her father couldn't stand the sight of her, it always seemed, and her mother's affections wavered greatly. Nelly was always the favorite--of them all, including Ika. She swore she would protect her little sister from whatever their dysfunctional family could throw at her. Somehow, though, it wasn't sweet Nelly that needed protecting, but Ika, and there wasn't anyone around to protect her most of the time.
So now. The letter. What to do? She finally decides she must return home, to deal with the pieces of her past the best she can and attempt a reconciliation with Nelly. In order to keep herself grounded in the present, in the life she has painstakingly created for herself over the years, she brings her current work project: designing a Winter Garden for the Plaza Hotel. She hopes it will be life preserver enough to keep her from drowning in the ocean of hurtful memories that will certainly surface as she returns.
* * * * *
This one was slow-moving. Entire worlds of nuance were embedded in every look, sigh, silence, and conversation. Liberally sprinkled with flashbacks, we got to know Ika the daughter and older sister before we got to know the Ika the woman very much. It was all about the characters and finding out what made them tick--in the past, and present.
Ika's mother was an interesting character; hard to understand. The daughter of a prominent minister, she had to endure a lifetime of disgrace when she became pregnant out of wedlock. Perhaps the weight of that shame was too much to carry. (Ika's full name was "Ikabod" meaning "shame"--named by the Grandfather.) There were Christian themes interwoven throughout the story, along with scriptures.
It wasn't all heavy and depressing. There were bright spots here and there. Ika's friendship with her boss, Simone, was one, as were her growing relationships with her sister, and the brother-in-law and nephews she had never met.
If you like character-driven books, this one should be right up your alley.
Incidentally, Ika's plans for the Winter Garden sounded completely lovely.
Content: Emotional, verbal, and some physical abuse toward Ika as a child.
July 10, 2021
Now this was an unusual read for me! It wasn't at all what I expected. Actually, I was primarily drawn to the beautiful cover art, which reminded me of my grandparents' country home in my childhood, and the title, as I love Winter Gardens. I hadn't realized that the author was Dutch, nor that the book was set in Holland. The opening lines describing a late October rainstorm drew me in. There's a dreamlike quality to the entire book, probably because the main character, Ika, does so much of her living inside herself. I've not much experience with Dutch authors, or with Dutch people for that matter. The cultural differences, mannerisms, and even societal norms were intriguing, & I wasn't exactly sure of the time it was set in. I'm not certain if this was a literary device, but it did contribute to a certain dreamy timelessness. There was a sense that all the characters weren't so sure of who they really were, but this made them no less real or believable. I don't want spoilers, so I will just say that there were certain things that kept me guessing to the very end, though this isn't a mystery, so much as a microcosm of the human condition. I've made this sound dry, maybe even boring, but it isn't. I found it mesmerizing in its unspooling.
March 6, 2020
This book was boring. Ika has a miserable childhood bullied by her father and distant from her mother. She is starting to make a life for herself when her younger perfect sister calls telling her their mother is dying. Ika feels she has to go see her and finds out the reason she had been treated badly.
February 22, 2018
3.5 Stars
February 11, 2023
I liked it but I wanted something more.
November 12, 2023
A story of a woman coming to terms with her past - her mother is dying with unanswered questions she has about her father - the story is flash backs to the past and then back to the present-
January 1, 2025
Such a weird book, I couldn't even finish it......
January 6, 2026
i was not fond of this book, dont k now why i just was not, hard to read, maybe it was the translation
November 12, 2012
Ika (short for Ikabod) had been away physically from her family for fifteen years, though in many ways she'd never been emotionally close. When she receives a letter from her sister Nelly telling her that their mother was very ill, perhaps nearing death, Ika must decide if she will make another attempt to learn her father's identity and reconnect with her mother. In many ways, this was a very difficult book to read because of the pain that Ika had endured for all of her life. Hurt people hurt people, and it is definitely true in this book.
After talking with the person who had recommended the book to me and because we weren't absolutely sure of the ending (who Ika's biological father is), I decided to reread the last chapter or so. And because I read that, I realized I had missed important details through the book--and I reread it, almost in one afternoon. Because of that, I "enjoyed" the book much more. I was not as bogged down as the first time, though the pain remained. The answer to Ika's quest is a surprise which leaves many other questions for the readers.
Ika is a bright, creative woman who loves gardening--hired by a garden center, she is assigned to create a winter garden for a customer. The closing sentence gives the reader the sense that Ika will find love and fulfillment in spite of her background and lack of emotional connections with her family.
Verweerd understands the human heart!
After talking with the person who had recommended the book to me and because we weren't absolutely sure of the ending (who Ika's biological father is), I decided to reread the last chapter or so. And because I read that, I realized I had missed important details through the book--and I reread it, almost in one afternoon. Because of that, I "enjoyed" the book much more. I was not as bogged down as the first time, though the pain remained. The answer to Ika's quest is a surprise which leaves many other questions for the readers.
Ika is a bright, creative woman who loves gardening--hired by a garden center, she is assigned to create a winter garden for a customer. The closing sentence gives the reader the sense that Ika will find love and fulfillment in spite of her background and lack of emotional connections with her family.
Verweerd understands the human heart!
August 27, 2012
Wow, I just finished this book. Meredith and Nina Whitson grow up deeply loving their father and deeply hurt by their cold mother's seeming inability to express any affection for them. They also know nothing of her history before she met their father. The only time they feel any closeness to their mother is when she tells them "The Fairy Tale", a story she calls the "Prince and the Peasant Girl". The estrangement of their mother colors all aspects of their adult lives. Meredith escapes into constant work and Nina escapes her home to travel the world as a photojournalist. When their beloved father lies dying, he makes his wife Anya promise to tell the entire "Fairy Tale" to the 2 girls. As Anya slowly begins to reveal more of the "Prince and the Peasant Girl", it becomes clear that this is no fiction, but a painful account of her life and survival in Lennigrad during WWII, and the loss of her entire family, including a husband and 2 small children during the seige of Lennigard. The revelations change everything about who Meredith and Nina think they are. A surprise ending in modern-day Alaska brings the story full circle, from lost to found.
November 30, 2013
I picked this book up the library because 1) it was recommended by one of the workers in the library, 2) I liked the cover and 3) I read another book with the same name and loved it.
This is the story of Ika who has been estranged from her family for many years. She is working as a garden designer when her sister summons her home to see her dying mother. We go backwards to get some history and understanding as to what caused the estrangment. Ika was an illegitimate child and she hopes to learn who her father is was she sits with her dying mother. A rather sad book but a fast read. You don't have to think read deep with this one, good for a quick escape.
This is the story of Ika who has been estranged from her family for many years. She is working as a garden designer when her sister summons her home to see her dying mother. We go backwards to get some history and understanding as to what caused the estrangment. Ika was an illegitimate child and she hopes to learn who her father is was she sits with her dying mother. A rather sad book but a fast read. You don't have to think read deep with this one, good for a quick escape.
December 19, 2013
It took me a while to get into the story line. I think the characters were clear and easy to relate to. I had no idea how close to my work day this story would be (hospice social worker) but I felt the author captured very well a dying person's experience as well as the family members' reactions. I felt that this is a story most everyone can relate to even without the mystery surrounding the father of one of the characters. I loved reading good fiction book where faith was a fundamental aspect of the book but not overpowering.
August 7, 2015
This book was an "ehh", shoulder shrug, okay, so-so book. That being said, I read it in 24 hours...so the story was interesting enough to keep my attention, and easy enough to escape into, put down, and come back too because I was wondering what came next. I wanted so badly for something really wonderful to happen for Ika--she deserved something beautiful in her life, and I am glad the book ended making me think that something good was going to happen. The story was a little slow, probably just because most of the book was internal thought and memories.
June 4, 2015
by Kelly
While this is a little more intense than most of my "cozy" recommendations, Winter Garden is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. Written from two points of view, one in current day America and one in WWII Russia, Verweerd leads us through initial judgements, "aha moments," shocking revelations, and tears of both joy and heartbreak. It's intense but the final chapters of the book make it worth pushing through the sad parts. One of my favorites. I can't tell you more because it would ruin the book, but definitely read it!
While this is a little more intense than most of my "cozy" recommendations, Winter Garden is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. Written from two points of view, one in current day America and one in WWII Russia, Verweerd leads us through initial judgements, "aha moments," shocking revelations, and tears of both joy and heartbreak. It's intense but the final chapters of the book make it worth pushing through the sad parts. One of my favorites. I can't tell you more because it would ruin the book, but definitely read it!
October 29, 2011
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the "other" Winter Garden book by Kristen Hannah, but it was a good book. Parents should read this book so they can avoid creating sad lives for their children! This points out the difficulties when parents aren't loving and don't communicate well with their family. And it can be hard to break the chain. There was a wonderful teacher in this girl's life that made such a difference. Hooray for teachers who care!
May 29, 2011
I ordered this book by mistake but read it and enjoyed it. It is slow-paced book but I liked the characters and was wanted Ika's question to be answered as much as she did. It didn't read like Christian Fiction to me. It was funny when I started to discuss this book at my May book club meeting only to find out everyone else had read Kristin Hannah's Winter Garden!
March 14, 2013
I checked out this book in audio from my library. Audios help with my commute to and from work. All I can say is this...If I would have purchased this, I guarantee I would have lowered my window and flung it like a frisbee. It was so slow and depressing and didn't finish it.
September 2, 2009
An estranged daughter, born out of wedlock and tormented when she was in school, comes home to confront her dying mother.
May 22, 2012
I liked this book, but it was an effort to get through it.
Read
July 15, 2012Not well written however one slogs through the prose to saver the story
October 13, 2013
This story is captivating.
May 28, 2014
Great historical fiction story. Love the characters, but didn't like that there are a lot of swearing.
December 18, 2014
Rather a sad book, and the ending didn't satisfy me. However, there was some lovely writing there. I believe Johanna Verweerd is a much loved Dutch author.
August 17, 2016
A sad book but ultimately a hopeful one. Ika's story is told in a jumbled way with current events and flashbacks to her childhood.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews