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The Rose Garden
Molly O'Kelly's perfect life comes crashing down following the death of her husband Simon. She is left alone with a big house to maintain, finances in disarray and with her hopes for happiness in a heap.
But Molly is a survivor. Despite objections from her two daughters to the sale of their family home, Molly decides to put beautiful Mossbawn House on the market and to move into the old gardener's cottage in the grounds. She finds her self drawn to the old neglected and overgrown rose garden attached to the cottage and decides to restore it.
As Marnie begins to build a new life, the Rose Garden becomes a labour of love and Marnie is grateful to have something to keep her mind off the loneliness she feels. Will she ever find love and happiness again?
But Molly is a survivor. Despite objections from her two daughters to the sale of their family home, Molly decides to put beautiful Mossbawn House on the market and to move into the old gardener's cottage in the grounds. She finds her self drawn to the old neglected and overgrown rose garden attached to the cottage and decides to restore it.
As Marnie begins to build a new life, the Rose Garden becomes a labour of love and Marnie is grateful to have something to keep her mind off the loneliness she feels. Will she ever find love and happiness again?
- GenresFiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2013
7 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Marita Conlon-McKenna
30 books223 followersBorn in Dublin in 1956 and brought up in Goatstown, Marita went to school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Mount Anville, later working in the family business, the bank, and a travel agency. She has four children with her husband James, and they live in the Stillorgan area of Dublin.
Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. When she heard a radio report of an unmarked children's grave from the Famine period being found under a hawthorn tree, she decided to write her first book, Under the Hawthorn Tree.
Published in May 1990, the book was an immediate success and become a classic. It has been translated into over a dozen languages, including Arabic, Bahasa, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Italian, Japanese and Irish. The book has been read on RTÉ Radio and is very popular in schools, both with teachers and pupils. It has been made a supplementary curriculum reader in many schools and is also used by schools in Northern Ireland for EMU (Education through Mutual Understanding) projects. It was also filmed by Young Irish Film Makers, in association with RTÉ and Channel 4. This is available as a DVD.
Marita has written more books for children which were also very well received. The Blue Horse reached No. 1 on the Bestseller List and won the BISTO BOOK OF THE YEAR Award. No Goodbye, which tells of the heartbreak of a young family when their mother leaves home, was recommended by Book Trust in their guide for One Parent Families. Safe Harbour is the story of two English children evacuated from London during World War ll to live with their grandfather in Greystones, Co Wicklow and was shortlisted for the BISTO Book of the Year Award. A Girl Called Blue follows the life of an orphan, trying to find who she really is in a cold and strict orphanage. Marita has also explored the world of fantasy with her book In Deep Dark Wood.
Marita has won several awards, including the International Reading Association Award, the Osterreichischer Kinder und Jugendbuchpreis, the Reading Association of Ireland Award and the Bisto Book of the Year Award.
Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. When she heard a radio report of an unmarked children's grave from the Famine period being found under a hawthorn tree, she decided to write her first book, Under the Hawthorn Tree.
Published in May 1990, the book was an immediate success and become a classic. It has been translated into over a dozen languages, including Arabic, Bahasa, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Italian, Japanese and Irish. The book has been read on RTÉ Radio and is very popular in schools, both with teachers and pupils. It has been made a supplementary curriculum reader in many schools and is also used by schools in Northern Ireland for EMU (Education through Mutual Understanding) projects. It was also filmed by Young Irish Film Makers, in association with RTÉ and Channel 4. This is available as a DVD.
Marita has written more books for children which were also very well received. The Blue Horse reached No. 1 on the Bestseller List and won the BISTO BOOK OF THE YEAR Award. No Goodbye, which tells of the heartbreak of a young family when their mother leaves home, was recommended by Book Trust in their guide for One Parent Families. Safe Harbour is the story of two English children evacuated from London during World War ll to live with their grandfather in Greystones, Co Wicklow and was shortlisted for the BISTO Book of the Year Award. A Girl Called Blue follows the life of an orphan, trying to find who she really is in a cold and strict orphanage. Marita has also explored the world of fantasy with her book In Deep Dark Wood.
Marita has won several awards, including the International Reading Association Award, the Osterreichischer Kinder und Jugendbuchpreis, the Reading Association of Ireland Award and the Bisto Book of the Year Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 17, 2015
It took me a little while to get into this story. I was happily settled down with Molly and interested in seeing how her life changes with the sudden death of her husband, David. I was less impressed at being dragged off to learn about Kim and the breakup with her live in boyfriend Gareth. But then it became clear that the lives of these two intersect as Kim is Molly’s niece. Kim becomes really interested in the history of Molly’s house Mossbawn and wants to find out as much as possible about it, especially as it looks like Molly might have to sell the big old family home to survive. Her two daughters are not happy about that prospect. While clearing the grounds to get the house ready to sell, Molly discovers a neglected Rose garden. She sets about bringing it back to life.
I liked Molly right from the beginning. Kim, it took me longer to warm to but I did after a while. I also like the character Gina, who works at the local cafe and is a good friend to the owner, the elderly Norah. There were times when I felt the author over explained a little instead of letting the reader work things out for themselves. But that was a minor quibble on what is a feel good type of story. It’s not filled with angst and deep issues but is more along the lines of stories by Cathy Kelly and Maeve Binchy. If you are looking for a nice light read that will absorb you into the life of an Irish town, this could easily fill that role. Despite being a tad predictable at times I enjoyed it. It’s nice to read a book that leaves you feeling good rather than depressed.It was just the type of book I wanted to read at the time.
I liked Molly right from the beginning. Kim, it took me longer to warm to but I did after a while. I also like the character Gina, who works at the local cafe and is a good friend to the owner, the elderly Norah. There were times when I felt the author over explained a little instead of letting the reader work things out for themselves. But that was a minor quibble on what is a feel good type of story. It’s not filled with angst and deep issues but is more along the lines of stories by Cathy Kelly and Maeve Binchy. If you are looking for a nice light read that will absorb you into the life of an Irish town, this could easily fill that role. Despite being a tad predictable at times I enjoyed it. It’s nice to read a book that leaves you feeling good rather than depressed.It was just the type of book I wanted to read at the time.
February 7, 2015
Slushy romantic novel with a remarkably high number of descriptions of weddings and wedding meals, each more amazing and perfect than the last. Not for me.
April 26, 2016
Sockerströsslad och trevlig bok att läsa om man är på "feelgood humör". Skriven för en äldre publik än mig, mycket blombeskrivningar och bröllop. Men ändå tårades mina ögon på en del ställen. Tror jag ska tipsa min mormor och moster om denna boken.
August 16, 2018
Perfect summer holiday read, a little predictable at times but likeable characters and no big dramas. The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5 is because it did get a bit to predictable and slushy “samey” towards the end.
March 5, 2020
Dear Ireland. Here comes a cozy book from the countryside. The second book I read by the author and I liked it. It's about moving on in life when one's life changes. The text was small but it worked. Always fun when you get to experience new towns / cities and countries.
February 16, 2019
Som en varm filt var boken.
May 28, 2019
Charmig, idyllisk roman som utspelar sig på Irland. Perfekt som ljudbok om man letar efter något avkopplande och lättläst.
December 8, 2021
Att det ens är möjligt att skriva en så tråkig bok med alla mina favoritingredienser! Svårt att veta om det är översättningen eller om dialogen även i originalet är så in i helvete platt. Intrigen halvt obegriplig men kanske bara för att den är så konservativ att man inte fattar vad folk håller på med. Alla är lessna för att de är singlar, men ingen lär sig tycka om sig själv utan blir istället ihop med nya personer.
Huvudstoryn är att en kvinna blivit änka och nu bor i ett alldeles för stort och tjusigt hus. Av oklar anledning är det inte ett alternativ att hon ska skaffa ett jobb, istället slänger hon bort ännu mer pengar på att lyxrenovera en stuga på tomten (+ resor m.m.) och ska sälja huset.
Hennes arbetslösa systerdotter flyttar in och lägger upp tjusig hemsida åt huset och så börjar de hyra ut det till bröllop osv, och så blir hon ihop med kille i trakten och slår sig ner där istället för i dublin (då slutar det vara ett problem att hon inte har nåt jobb längre)
Parallellt kvinna som jobbar på kafé och vill ta över när ägaren blir gammal och sjuk, men det får hon inte pga ond släkting och sen startar hon kafé i huset istället + driver cateringverksamhet till bröllopen.
Huvudstoryn är att en kvinna blivit änka och nu bor i ett alldeles för stort och tjusigt hus. Av oklar anledning är det inte ett alternativ att hon ska skaffa ett jobb, istället slänger hon bort ännu mer pengar på att lyxrenovera en stuga på tomten (+ resor m.m.) och ska sälja huset.
Hennes arbetslösa systerdotter flyttar in och lägger upp tjusig hemsida åt huset och så börjar de hyra ut det till bröllop osv, och så blir hon ihop med kille i trakten och slår sig ner där istället för i dublin (då slutar det vara ett problem att hon inte har nåt jobb längre)
Parallellt kvinna som jobbar på kafé och vill ta över när ägaren blir gammal och sjuk, men det får hon inte pga ond släkting och sen startar hon kafé i huset istället + driver cateringverksamhet till bröllopen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
This book had quite good reviews on Goodreads, so I was shocked at how disappointed I was in it.
The story was easy to follow, but the characters were incredibly one-dimensional with no hang-ups, faults or depth of character. Every venture undertaken is a success, marriages and relationships are perfect. The main character, Molly, is an older lady, yet is a tireless gardener and all-round perfect woman!!
In addition, the writing style seems rather unsophisticated, with far too many exclamation marks in inappropriate places.
I really do not recommended this book and will not be reading any others by this author.
The story was easy to follow, but the characters were incredibly one-dimensional with no hang-ups, faults or depth of character. Every venture undertaken is a success, marriages and relationships are perfect. The main character, Molly, is an older lady, yet is a tireless gardener and all-round perfect woman!!
In addition, the writing style seems rather unsophisticated, with far too many exclamation marks in inappropriate places.
I really do not recommended this book and will not be reading any others by this author.
Read
April 12, 2020Detta är tredje boken jag läser av denna författare, har en fjärde på vänt, då jag tycker om hur hon skriver och miljöerna hon sätter sina huvudpersoner i. Ännu en trivsam bok att läsa med det den blandningen av innehåll som jag gillar, spännvidden mellan kärlek - sorg och glädje - tårar. Och framförallt, man vet aldrig vad livet för med sig men det gäller att ta vara på det man har och hitta sin väg framåt!
January 4, 2018
This is a very easy and lovely cottagey summer read! Perfect for holiday reading and I loved it. Highly recommendable take-away-on-holiday book and esp if you are into cottage gardens and want something light to read with a good story line. Loving the Irish feel of the books I've been reading lately
December 3, 2018
another random choice, followng a collleague passing some books to me and i selected this one . To be fair is it a rather too- good- to- be- true story, even though there are dramas and upsets along the way, it turns out oh so perfect in the end. But, for all that, its because of that that i decided to treat it as pure escapism and as such, i really enjoyed it.
March 31, 2019
En bok som var lätt att förutse vad som skulle komma att hända, men ändå var charmig att läsa. En bok att koppla av med, eftersom den inte kräver så värst mycket engagemang, det är bara att luta sig tillbaka och lyssna/läsa. Den fick mig att vilja gå ut i trädgården för att räfsa fram rosorna, även om det kanske är lite för tidigt för det. En bok att må bra tillsammans med. Läs den!
June 24, 2017
Very easy summer read - no drama - just pleasant characters worth spending time on!
July 19, 2017
En riktig feel-good som jag verkligen gillade, kanske för att den innehöll många saker jag gillar: Irland, kärleksdrama och blomsterträdgårdar. Lättläst och varm bok, rekommenderas!
January 26, 2019
A beautiful book - a good read, not fast paced and, mostly, enjoyable characters.
February 24, 2019
Sweet story.
March 11, 2019
Helt underbar bok att lyssna på
July 18, 2019
What a wonderful book of heartache, loss and the chance of love again. Such a lovely read especially for the summer, would love to live in a village like Kilfinn.
July 30, 2021
Trivsam, lättläst feel-good-semesterbok
February 7, 2022
Nice story
Read
March 22, 2022Författaren M. C-McK. Har pippi på hur hennes karaktärer är klädda, märkes-snobbig, samt på vad dricker & äter, i synnerhet pippi på kanapéer (som inte ens smakar ti nåt annat än mjöl och smör)
July 23, 2024
Mysig bok och handling men inget särskilt
August 22, 2025
Allt löste sig lite väl förutsägbart.
June 8, 2014
The rose Garden was provided by Gill Hess Ltd in return for an honest review
The rose Garden is a wonderful story about holding on the memories of the ones we love.
Molly is heartbroken after the loss of her husband and now she has to deal with task of keeping up appearances in the sprawling country manner that the two of them once called home. With a growing estate and dwindling finances Molly desperately needs to find a way of making some money if she wants to keep her home.
In the shadows of the old estate she finds an old, wild rose garden. She decides to return it it to its former glory and open it to the public in the hopes that it will become a source of income.
As new life blooms in the garden, so do new friendships. Like the vines within the gardens their lives become woven together to create strong ties of love and friendship. For Kim Mossbaun becomes a haven from the cold ending of her previous relationship. The garden is the source of hope within the the story. It helps heal all those who seem to be suffering from some type of loss.
Living in a small Irish town means I could really relate to this story and the "everyone knows everyone" type of situation. If a stranger does happen to stop by you can be guaranteed that they won't be a stranger by the end of the day. God that sounds so cheesy but its true!
The Rose Garden was a wonderfully uplifting read. All that we need to grow, is hope, love and friendship. A perfect read now that we are heading into spring.
- See more at: http://www.gobookyourself.info/2014/0...
The rose Garden is a wonderful story about holding on the memories of the ones we love.
Molly is heartbroken after the loss of her husband and now she has to deal with task of keeping up appearances in the sprawling country manner that the two of them once called home. With a growing estate and dwindling finances Molly desperately needs to find a way of making some money if she wants to keep her home.
In the shadows of the old estate she finds an old, wild rose garden. She decides to return it it to its former glory and open it to the public in the hopes that it will become a source of income.
As new life blooms in the garden, so do new friendships. Like the vines within the gardens their lives become woven together to create strong ties of love and friendship. For Kim Mossbaun becomes a haven from the cold ending of her previous relationship. The garden is the source of hope within the the story. It helps heal all those who seem to be suffering from some type of loss.
Living in a small Irish town means I could really relate to this story and the "everyone knows everyone" type of situation. If a stranger does happen to stop by you can be guaranteed that they won't be a stranger by the end of the day. God that sounds so cheesy but its true!
The Rose Garden was a wonderfully uplifting read. All that we need to grow, is hope, love and friendship. A perfect read now that we are heading into spring.
- See more at: http://www.gobookyourself.info/2014/0...
November 25, 2014
I was so excited when this book arrived because it was stated to be published by Transworld Ireland and I simply adore everything Irish. However, whilst I enjoyed the book, I didn't find it be that obviously Irish. I guess the Irish lilt didn't jump off the page, but I did get the sense of friendliness and that everyone knows everyone as is always the case in Ireland.
That said, The Rose Garden, is a lovely tale of three women and a vast array of other characters whose lives are all intertwined somehow and it really does follow each of them on a journey. I did sometimes find myself losing track of who was who as there are quite a few different threads ongoing throughout, but I soon got to grips with it.
The book is slightly predictable, but I enjoyed the witnessing the entrepreneurial aspect emerge and the ultimate outcome. I loved the descriptions of the family home and the garden as it blossomed into life.
All in all, a nice summer read.
That said, The Rose Garden, is a lovely tale of three women and a vast array of other characters whose lives are all intertwined somehow and it really does follow each of them on a journey. I did sometimes find myself losing track of who was who as there are quite a few different threads ongoing throughout, but I soon got to grips with it.
The book is slightly predictable, but I enjoyed the witnessing the entrepreneurial aspect emerge and the ultimate outcome. I loved the descriptions of the family home and the garden as it blossomed into life.
All in all, a nice summer read.
April 7, 2014
Following the death of her adored husband, Molly O’Kelly must learn to adapt to a life without him but the prospect of maintaining a rambling family house and the disorder of her personal finances fills her with dread. Against the wishes of her daughters, Molly decides to sell beloved Mossbawn House and move into a gardener’s cottage. In the neglected rose garden, Molly starts to find happiness again.
Set against the lovely background of rural Ireland, this book warms the heart and shows that Molly’s labour of love in putting the garden to rights gives her a reason to open up her heart to love once again. Filled with a delightful array of characters and rich on emotion this book takes you on a gentle journey through the pain of loss and offers hope and the promise of future happiness.
A delightful book in the style of Maeve Binchy and Cathy Kelly.
Set against the lovely background of rural Ireland, this book warms the heart and shows that Molly’s labour of love in putting the garden to rights gives her a reason to open up her heart to love once again. Filled with a delightful array of characters and rich on emotion this book takes you on a gentle journey through the pain of loss and offers hope and the promise of future happiness.
A delightful book in the style of Maeve Binchy and Cathy Kelly.
December 10, 2016
This is straight down the line chick lit: flowers, weddings, dead partners, break-ups, finding true love, renovating a house, reviving a neglected garden, dining in cafes, catering for parties, an Irish setting. Light pleasant reading, with many characters fulfilling their dreams. Lovely idea but not challenging to the brain at all. Every outcome was predictable, and the characters one-dimensional. I do like a story of entrepreneurs though and there were three in this one, Molly and her home, Mossbawn, her niece, Kim and her venture into designing websites and their friend Gina and her dream of owning a cafe. Their journeys to achieving their goals is the main draw card in this book and was what kept me reading.
March 25, 2016
En feelgood-bok. Precis som man kan förvänta sig. Jag sitter och läser och undrar hur det ska lösa sig, för det är jag ju säker på att det kommer att göra till slut. Men först lite problem på vägen. Ingen överraskning men en trevlig stund.
August 28, 2016
A wonderful story and life lesson of how when life gives you lemons you make Lemon Cheese Cake!!! A beautiful story. The main Characters are very real to life. The description of the House and Gardens makes you want to really go visit there. Just lovely
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews