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The Winter Garden
Welcome to the Winter Gardens of Half Moon House. Please do not mishandle the exhibits. (The owners accept no liability for any events that occur, magical or otherwise…)
The Winter Garden open at the stroke of midnight with no great fanfare – after all, this is a time when all virtuous folk should be in bed. But for the few curious souls that brave the opening of its gates what enchantments await.
There is all manner of strange and spectacular flora and fauna collected on her travels by the scandalous Lady Beatrice Sitwell and exhibited for the delight of paying customers. By flickering lamplight, visitors can discover magic fish, spectacular ghost butterflies, and a tiger made of stars.
And for the very brave – and a small extra cost - there is the forest of plum trees, ripening against the snow bearing magical fruit which can tell your fortune - if only you dare take a bite…
The Winter Garden open at the stroke of midnight with no great fanfare – after all, this is a time when all virtuous folk should be in bed. But for the few curious souls that brave the opening of its gates what enchantments await.
There is all manner of strange and spectacular flora and fauna collected on her travels by the scandalous Lady Beatrice Sitwell and exhibited for the delight of paying customers. By flickering lamplight, visitors can discover magic fish, spectacular ghost butterflies, and a tiger made of stars.
And for the very brave – and a small extra cost - there is the forest of plum trees, ripening against the snow bearing magical fruit which can tell your fortune - if only you dare take a bite…
528 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2021
129 people are currently reading
13291 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Bell
2 books130 followersAlexandra Bell signed her first book deal at nineteen and has since written multiple books for adults and young people. She works for a legal advice charity and lives in Hampshire with her husband, sons and Sphynx cats. She also writes as Alex Bell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews
December 13, 2021
I don't want to be harsh here. It's a sweet book. Readable and comforting. But it's also a book about two of the most unwittingly unlikeable characters I've encountered in a while. Neither of our heroines had much in the way of redeeming qualities and the entire story seemed to unfold from them finding new levels of awful to dig. And not in the fun way.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. But in the end, this book tastes quite a lot like regret and some missed opportunities.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. But in the end, this book tastes quite a lot like regret and some missed opportunities.
March 13, 2023
A serious contender for Favourite Book of the Year!
Such a gorgeous, whimsical, emotional story.
I was drawn into this one immediately and could not stop. The magic of this story is so delicate, elegant, and cold. Winter pervades the entire novel and laces it with icicles, snowflakes and possibility.
Utterly captivating.
The story follows Beatrice, to whom the magical Winter Garden first appears after the loss of her mother at a young age. Many years later, Beatrice wants to travel the world to discover more wonders like those of the Garden, but her greatest desire is to see the Winter Garden once more.
Meanwhile, her friend Rosa finds herself in an unhappy situation, and only her own skill and determination will see her through.
The book is set in the late 1800s so both Beatrice and Rosa are forced to navigate a world where women are considered property, rather than for any merit of their own. As a reader of historical fiction I've read similar stories before, but for some reason I found this version particularly gripping. I was glad for how the women navigated this, but I also appreciated the care with which this story discussed these elements. I was particularly impressed by Rosa's fierce determination to make the best of her situation, and to stand up for herself. The stuff about motherhood struck me as being very real and I got a sense the author may have injected a little of her own experience to make it feel so raw and honest.
The real win of the story though is the magic. It lingers over everything and charges the atmosphere of the book with such possibility. I could see the garden and its magic so clearly in my mind and was enraptured. My imagination ran wild and it was such a freeing feeling.
I didn't quite expect the melancholia but somehow it worked and, rather than depressing me, it helped me appreciate the escapism that the Garden presented.
Be prepared for magical flowers, clockwork creatures, spinning spiders and a tiger made of stars. Be prepared to feel pleasure, pain, loss, guilt, freedom and pure joy. Be prepared to experience a familiar world in a whole new, magical light.
Absolutely loved it.
Such a gorgeous, whimsical, emotional story.
I was drawn into this one immediately and could not stop. The magic of this story is so delicate, elegant, and cold. Winter pervades the entire novel and laces it with icicles, snowflakes and possibility.
Utterly captivating.
The story follows Beatrice, to whom the magical Winter Garden first appears after the loss of her mother at a young age. Many years later, Beatrice wants to travel the world to discover more wonders like those of the Garden, but her greatest desire is to see the Winter Garden once more.
Meanwhile, her friend Rosa finds herself in an unhappy situation, and only her own skill and determination will see her through.
The book is set in the late 1800s so both Beatrice and Rosa are forced to navigate a world where women are considered property, rather than for any merit of their own. As a reader of historical fiction I've read similar stories before, but for some reason I found this version particularly gripping. I was glad for how the women navigated this, but I also appreciated the care with which this story discussed these elements. I was particularly impressed by Rosa's fierce determination to make the best of her situation, and to stand up for herself. The stuff about motherhood struck me as being very real and I got a sense the author may have injected a little of her own experience to make it feel so raw and honest.
The real win of the story though is the magic. It lingers over everything and charges the atmosphere of the book with such possibility. I could see the garden and its magic so clearly in my mind and was enraptured. My imagination ran wild and it was such a freeing feeling.
I didn't quite expect the melancholia but somehow it worked and, rather than depressing me, it helped me appreciate the escapism that the Garden presented.
Be prepared for magical flowers, clockwork creatures, spinning spiders and a tiger made of stars. Be prepared to feel pleasure, pain, loss, guilt, freedom and pure joy. Be prepared to experience a familiar world in a whole new, magical light.
Absolutely loved it.
November 13, 2021
I leave this book conflicted.
On one hand, there are parts with strong emotional resonance. I’m so fascinated by her choice to begin with end and end with beginning, and the imagery is fantastic in all senses. Best of all was Bell’s commentary on the legal subjugation of women, then and now.
But this book could have benefitted from a strong dose of Edward Said. Where the Victorian setting’s misogyny is regularly deconstructed and criticised, its coloniality is not. One of two protagonists sources her magic by “discovering” the resources of various occupied places and subjugated peoples, all described in a series of vignettes that leave them exotic and dangerous but otherwise nondescript. The story uses Hawaii no differently than India, Thailand, Nigeria, or China; as places for the protagonist to discover adventures and magic to return home with.
Bell only really attempts to deconstruct that once, by noting that some (not all) such discoverers “pillaged” their finds, and having her protagonist purchase one of her “discoveries” instead. The “pillager” is a violent, alcoholic foil, and beside him she comes off as righteous. But as Bell so deftly proves with her feminist critique, material compensation cannot correct systemic injustice. Bell shows misogyny as violence that money alone can’t heal, but easily excuses colonial resource-grabs by writing a cheque.
I wish the moral acrobatics from ‘I want to learn from the world’ to ‘I want to take it home and own it’ had been questioned. In Bell’s world, science transforms into magic when we aren’t looking. But while she shines a light on history of sexist exclusion of women scientists, science’s colonial history stays in the dark. When her (wealthy, White, landowning) women finally gain access, they do science just like their male peers - by “discovering” and extracting it from other peoples.
For the protagonists, “justice” means a private garden that displays the wonders of the world, rather than a world where they enable real systemic change. There’s literally a frog that enables people to swap worldviews - pardon the pun, but that magic seems a short hop away from solving some huge societal problems, including sexism. But rather than attacking the causes of their exclusion and harms, or even their culprits, the protagonists spend the book attacking each other. Worse, they do so wielding miracles stolen from nameless Others and Elsewheres, and never question it.
I don’t write review of books I don’t enjoy, nor of authors I don’t respect. Bell has poured so much personal meaning and social critique into this book - at times, it bursts off the page like flowers. I’m also not one to criticise a book for what it’s not. But there were missed opportunities here, and some readers may feel alienated by the colonial and Orientalist dynamics it leaves unaddressed.
Bell manages to make magic feel real, but her imagery may taste sour to those unable to forget where it came from. And for me, that tastes something like regret.
On one hand, there are parts with strong emotional resonance. I’m so fascinated by her choice to begin with end and end with beginning, and the imagery is fantastic in all senses. Best of all was Bell’s commentary on the legal subjugation of women, then and now.
But this book could have benefitted from a strong dose of Edward Said. Where the Victorian setting’s misogyny is regularly deconstructed and criticised, its coloniality is not. One of two protagonists sources her magic by “discovering” the resources of various occupied places and subjugated peoples, all described in a series of vignettes that leave them exotic and dangerous but otherwise nondescript. The story uses Hawaii no differently than India, Thailand, Nigeria, or China; as places for the protagonist to discover adventures and magic to return home with.
Bell only really attempts to deconstruct that once, by noting that some (not all) such discoverers “pillaged” their finds, and having her protagonist purchase one of her “discoveries” instead. The “pillager” is a violent, alcoholic foil, and beside him she comes off as righteous. But as Bell so deftly proves with her feminist critique, material compensation cannot correct systemic injustice. Bell shows misogyny as violence that money alone can’t heal, but easily excuses colonial resource-grabs by writing a cheque.
I wish the moral acrobatics from ‘I want to learn from the world’ to ‘I want to take it home and own it’ had been questioned. In Bell’s world, science transforms into magic when we aren’t looking. But while she shines a light on history of sexist exclusion of women scientists, science’s colonial history stays in the dark. When her (wealthy, White, landowning) women finally gain access, they do science just like their male peers - by “discovering” and extracting it from other peoples.
For the protagonists, “justice” means a private garden that displays the wonders of the world, rather than a world where they enable real systemic change. There’s literally a frog that enables people to swap worldviews - pardon the pun, but that magic seems a short hop away from solving some huge societal problems, including sexism. But rather than attacking the causes of their exclusion and harms, or even their culprits, the protagonists spend the book attacking each other. Worse, they do so wielding miracles stolen from nameless Others and Elsewheres, and never question it.
I don’t write review of books I don’t enjoy, nor of authors I don’t respect. Bell has poured so much personal meaning and social critique into this book - at times, it bursts off the page like flowers. I’m also not one to criticise a book for what it’s not. But there were missed opportunities here, and some readers may feel alienated by the colonial and Orientalist dynamics it leaves unaddressed.
Bell manages to make magic feel real, but her imagery may taste sour to those unable to forget where it came from. And for me, that tastes something like regret.
August 25, 2021
I had no expectations going into this book, but from page one, I just knew I was going to love it!
The writing immediately pulled me into the story and I found it really difficult to put down. Every single element of the story and characters was done perfectly! I don't even have to think about my rating for this book, it's an obvious 5 stars!
I'd recommend this book to anyone but especially fans of The Night Circus! It has the same breathtaking writing and magical feel to the story. The pages are filled with so much emotion and magic. It's impossible to not connect to the writing and characters.
I wasn't expecting the switch in perspective. We followed Beatrice's story for quite a while before it switched to include Rosa's point of view. It took a bit, but after a chapter or two, I quickly loved her story just as much. The use of letters really helped with this and I really enjoyed reading them. They kept the pacing of the book quick, while giving us lots of information.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. The end had me in floods of tears and was just so perfectly done! I cannot express how much I loved it!
Thank you so much to the publishers for sending me an early copy to review!
(Please check trigger warnings before reading this book)
The writing immediately pulled me into the story and I found it really difficult to put down. Every single element of the story and characters was done perfectly! I don't even have to think about my rating for this book, it's an obvious 5 stars!
I'd recommend this book to anyone but especially fans of The Night Circus! It has the same breathtaking writing and magical feel to the story. The pages are filled with so much emotion and magic. It's impossible to not connect to the writing and characters.
I wasn't expecting the switch in perspective. We followed Beatrice's story for quite a while before it switched to include Rosa's point of view. It took a bit, but after a chapter or two, I quickly loved her story just as much. The use of letters really helped with this and I really enjoyed reading them. They kept the pacing of the book quick, while giving us lots of information.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. The end had me in floods of tears and was just so perfectly done! I cannot express how much I loved it!
Thank you so much to the publishers for sending me an early copy to review!
(Please check trigger warnings before reading this book)
December 27, 2022
A fantasy that blends the magic of The Night Circus and the enchantment of Midnight in Everwood. The Winter Garden has a truly stunning atmosphere and writing, with not only beautiful descriptions, but also meaningful messages and prose.
We follow two main characters going against each other to win a magical competition. This storyline actually takes quite a while to get going, but that only builds on the motivations of each character to try and win this competition.
This book deals with love, loss, pain, grief and abuse. It’s certainly a very emotional reading experience, and a very powerful one. Thoroughly enjoyed, a great read to end the year on.
We follow two main characters going against each other to win a magical competition. This storyline actually takes quite a while to get going, but that only builds on the motivations of each character to try and win this competition.
This book deals with love, loss, pain, grief and abuse. It’s certainly a very emotional reading experience, and a very powerful one. Thoroughly enjoyed, a great read to end the year on.
August 22, 2024
This book has some gorgeous imagery and delightful magic; but it wasn't as brilliant as it could have been because the characters were so difficult to root for and get invested in:
Beatrice was a whingy wetwipe with a tedious superiority complex. She shunned society and what it stood for but was quite derogatory to James because he was "the son of a gardener". You can't have it both ways! To treat a childhood friend so poorly really lowered my opinion of her. Further, she was a total wetwipe at one point considering swapping lives with Rosa because she "deserved" Eustace. The mere fact that she couldn't get over her mother's death literally decades later was proof of her arrested development and immaturity. She was quite hard to empathize with depsite my wanting to champion such a lady to throw off the shackles of society and do her own thing.
Rosa was a total cow. She was entitled, loved to play the victim, and would stop at nothing to get her way. While there was some redemption toward the end, it wasn't enough to raise her in my esteem. Her treatement of Eustace seemed a bit much - the way I saw it, they were as bad as each other. They were both emotionally and physically abusive, they gaslit each other, and they were totally cutthroat in trying to get their own way. Rosa was entitled and saw herself as the main character in everyone else's lives and treated her friends like they were there to serve her. It was refreshing to see a character that fought back against societal expectations around women, but she was so absuive to Eustace in the end that fell flat. She seemed to do a total 180 on Ada and it was jarring: going from disdain to obsession overnight. It was also embarssingly sexist that she seemed to mature only when she "embraced motherhood"... come on, really? You don't ascend to another plane when you become a mother. At any rate, Rosa was a horrible and vapid character and I spent most of the book hoping that Eustance would actually finish her off.
I did like the character of James - I would have much rather read a book about his adventures as a orchid hunter. At least he was likeable and behaved like an adult.
The writing style was pedestrian and juvenile at times. Short of some adult themes toward the middle and end, I was concerned until then that I'd picked up a book more geared toward younger readers. Like others, I didn't feel that the sections mentioning slaves or POC were handled partiularly well; given how both Beatrice and Rosa were supposedly eschewing societal norms of the times, I expected better. Thinly-veiled racism has no place in books written in 2021.
The narrative around the Winter Gardens was magical and wonderful. I know why people say that this has echoes of The Night Circus. It's a bit of a stretch as it's maturity and characterization was miles behind The Night Circus, but it still had some wonderful features: magic, clockwork animals, bunnies that turned into teacups, anthropomorphic trees... it had a lot of the ingredients that would have made it spectactular but it didn't quite make it in execution.
Beatrice was a whingy wetwipe with a tedious superiority complex. She shunned society and what it stood for but was quite derogatory to James because he was "the son of a gardener". You can't have it both ways! To treat a childhood friend so poorly really lowered my opinion of her. Further, she was a total wetwipe at one point considering swapping lives with Rosa because she "deserved" Eustace. The mere fact that she couldn't get over her mother's death literally decades later was proof of her arrested development and immaturity. She was quite hard to empathize with depsite my wanting to champion such a lady to throw off the shackles of society and do her own thing.
Rosa was a total cow. She was entitled, loved to play the victim, and would stop at nothing to get her way. While there was some redemption toward the end, it wasn't enough to raise her in my esteem. Her treatement of Eustace seemed a bit much - the way I saw it, they were as bad as each other. They were both emotionally and physically abusive, they gaslit each other, and they were totally cutthroat in trying to get their own way. Rosa was entitled and saw herself as the main character in everyone else's lives and treated her friends like they were there to serve her. It was refreshing to see a character that fought back against societal expectations around women, but she was so absuive to Eustace in the end that fell flat. She seemed to do a total 180 on Ada and it was jarring: going from disdain to obsession overnight. It was also embarssingly sexist that she seemed to mature only when she "embraced motherhood"... come on, really? You don't ascend to another plane when you become a mother. At any rate, Rosa was a horrible and vapid character and I spent most of the book hoping that Eustance would actually finish her off.
I did like the character of James - I would have much rather read a book about his adventures as a orchid hunter. At least he was likeable and behaved like an adult.
The writing style was pedestrian and juvenile at times. Short of some adult themes toward the middle and end, I was concerned until then that I'd picked up a book more geared toward younger readers. Like others, I didn't feel that the sections mentioning slaves or POC were handled partiularly well; given how both Beatrice and Rosa were supposedly eschewing societal norms of the times, I expected better. Thinly-veiled racism has no place in books written in 2021.
The narrative around the Winter Gardens was magical and wonderful. I know why people say that this has echoes of The Night Circus. It's a bit of a stretch as it's maturity and characterization was miles behind The Night Circus, but it still had some wonderful features: magic, clockwork animals, bunnies that turned into teacups, anthropomorphic trees... it had a lot of the ingredients that would have made it spectactular but it didn't quite make it in execution.
November 28, 2021
4.25
This was a magical story reminiscent of The Night Circus and A Natural History of Dragons. I think it suffered from a slow start but as the story develops it becomes deeply emotional and drives a little hole into your heart.
This was a magical story reminiscent of The Night Circus and A Natural History of Dragons. I think it suffered from a slow start but as the story develops it becomes deeply emotional and drives a little hole into your heart.
December 19, 2021
tw: rape, child loss, abuse, mentions of slavery
the two mc's live in the edwardian/victorian era as rich upper class women and face seemingly unrelenting misogyny.
however, it's near impossible to sympathise with them due to rosa having grown up on a plantation and offhand mentions of her family being slaveowners (none of which is challenged in-text or criticised). for this reason, the "feminist" themes felt extremely one dimensional
beatrice always travels to various countries and the way these countries are described can be, at times, uncomfortable.
additionally, the concept is half-formed and the characters unrealised. there were some nice passages here and there but most of the book felt like filler.
the writing style was juvenile and it was difficult to tell who the intended audience was as it did not align with the subject matter and themes.
the two mc's live in the edwardian/victorian era as rich upper class women and face seemingly unrelenting misogyny.
however, it's near impossible to sympathise with them due to rosa having grown up on a plantation and offhand mentions of her family being slaveowners (none of which is challenged in-text or criticised). for this reason, the "feminist" themes felt extremely one dimensional
beatrice always travels to various countries and the way these countries are described can be, at times, uncomfortable.
additionally, the concept is half-formed and the characters unrealised. there were some nice passages here and there but most of the book felt like filler.
the writing style was juvenile and it was difficult to tell who the intended audience was as it did not align with the subject matter and themes.
October 22, 2022
3,5 Sterne
Der zauberhafte Wintergarten ist eine so schöne Idee für Trauernde, die dort für eine Weile Trost finden können. Die magische Flora und Fauna waren wunderbar beschrieben.
Thematisch für mich interessant: Welche Wege finden Frauen in einem viktorianisch inspirierten Setting, sich gegen ihre gesellschaftlichen Zwänge zu widersetzen und was passiert, wenn dies misslingt. Wer hinter dem Klappentext jedoch eine fluffige, respektvolle und unterstützende Freundschaft zwischen zwei Frauenfiguren vermutet, ist hier Fehl am Platz. Der magische Wettstreit zwischen Beatrice und Rosa bringt Selbstbezogenheit und Neid in ihnen hervor. Während sich das einerseits authentisch anfühlt, ist es andererseits kein unbeschwertes Vergnügen davon zu lesen. Ich hätte diesbezüglich gerne mehr Entwicklung das gesamte Buch über gelesen.
Inhaltswarnung: Emotionale, körperliche und sexuelle Gewalt, Tod eines Elternteils/Kindes, Drogenkonsum, Schwangerschaftskomplikationen und Postnatale Depression
Der zauberhafte Wintergarten ist eine so schöne Idee für Trauernde, die dort für eine Weile Trost finden können. Die magische Flora und Fauna waren wunderbar beschrieben.
Thematisch für mich interessant: Welche Wege finden Frauen in einem viktorianisch inspirierten Setting, sich gegen ihre gesellschaftlichen Zwänge zu widersetzen und was passiert, wenn dies misslingt. Wer hinter dem Klappentext jedoch eine fluffige, respektvolle und unterstützende Freundschaft zwischen zwei Frauenfiguren vermutet, ist hier Fehl am Platz. Der magische Wettstreit zwischen Beatrice und Rosa bringt Selbstbezogenheit und Neid in ihnen hervor. Während sich das einerseits authentisch anfühlt, ist es andererseits kein unbeschwertes Vergnügen davon zu lesen. Ich hätte diesbezüglich gerne mehr Entwicklung das gesamte Buch über gelesen.
Inhaltswarnung: Emotionale, körperliche und sexuelle Gewalt, Tod eines Elternteils/Kindes, Drogenkonsum, Schwangerschaftskomplikationen und Postnatale Depression
September 28, 2021
Oh how I loved this one! Could have been twice as long and it would still seemed to have ended too soon. Reminded me a little bit of The Night Circus...the magic, the competition etc. This was the book that I wanted The disappointing The Starless Sea to be.
April 19, 2023
This was a peculiar work for me and I cannot say for sure how much I liked it. It certainly made me think and it even made me cry, because unrealised wishes, wrong decisions and missed opportunities are a raw subject to me these days. However, the whole magical realism of this world just left me wondering.
Story starts with Beatrice who regrets running away from her withering, dying mother at a young age and by finding solace in the elusive Winter Garden, she tries to live her life in a way that will bring her back to it. She learns to stand up for herself and live a solitary life doing what she loves the most; exploring flora around the world, but that does not make her happy as she is still widely ignored by her patriarchal environment.
Then, you have Rosa, who is spanky and full of life and a master of clockwork creations. She has made a name for herself and is very rich and is highly regarded, but that is simply not enough. She wants old money, so no one can say anything about her origin. She will disregard her own wishes for what she thinks she must do and spiral downwards very fast.
Both women have seemingly an absurd amount of money and at least Rosa is working for it, while Beatrice just has family money that she spends in enormous amounts for her travels and experiments. How she even survives is beyond me. They live in a world where woman's worth is measured by her husband and they have no real right, yet Rosa is making business like no other and both can live on their own and do whatever they want with no social repercussions other than some vague gossip. In some things, they have so much freedom and choices for the period they are supposedly living in, but for some other things, it is forbidden to do anything. It just doesn't make much sense to me and it only seems to be convenient for the plot.
Somewhere here comes the magical realism setting. The book does not prepare you for that as behaviors and people and environment seem completely normal for a period set-up. And then, you have black apple trees with mouths that move around, clockwork creations that have literal life and grow on their own in size and plants that have literally magical abilities. I will not deny that the book effortlessly jungles everything, but there are just so many instances that something will feel out of place, because you cannot have all the strict rules for parts of the setting and then wild things happening on the other.
The trick, however, is that the real moral, emotional, ethical issues the 2 women have... are very relatable and it makes this an interesting read. You can't help cheering for one or the other or both, because they HAVE been through a lot and even if the book makes little sense half the time, you just want them to be happy. Rosa's words in the end are inspiring to me, if not a bit cliche, but it's so easy to understand some words and so difficult to actually follow through.
There was a 3rd character, James, who the book tried to make him seem like the most normal character ever, but also was the one helping things along with both women. I don't know if I would say this was the author's brilliant move at having him be obscure for no reason, but I salute the effort!
An interesting read, nonetheless, but I just can't say I liked it as a whole.
Story starts with Beatrice who regrets running away from her withering, dying mother at a young age and by finding solace in the elusive Winter Garden, she tries to live her life in a way that will bring her back to it. She learns to stand up for herself and live a solitary life doing what she loves the most; exploring flora around the world, but that does not make her happy as she is still widely ignored by her patriarchal environment.
Then, you have Rosa, who is spanky and full of life and a master of clockwork creations. She has made a name for herself and is very rich and is highly regarded, but that is simply not enough. She wants old money, so no one can say anything about her origin. She will disregard her own wishes for what she thinks she must do and spiral downwards very fast.
Both women have seemingly an absurd amount of money and at least Rosa is working for it, while Beatrice just has family money that she spends in enormous amounts for her travels and experiments. How she even survives is beyond me. They live in a world where woman's worth is measured by her husband and they have no real right, yet Rosa is making business like no other and both can live on their own and do whatever they want with no social repercussions other than some vague gossip. In some things, they have so much freedom and choices for the period they are supposedly living in, but for some other things, it is forbidden to do anything. It just doesn't make much sense to me and it only seems to be convenient for the plot.
Somewhere here comes the magical realism setting. The book does not prepare you for that as behaviors and people and environment seem completely normal for a period set-up. And then, you have black apple trees with mouths that move around, clockwork creations that have literal life and grow on their own in size and plants that have literally magical abilities. I will not deny that the book effortlessly jungles everything, but there are just so many instances that something will feel out of place, because you cannot have all the strict rules for parts of the setting and then wild things happening on the other.
The trick, however, is that the real moral, emotional, ethical issues the 2 women have... are very relatable and it makes this an interesting read. You can't help cheering for one or the other or both, because they HAVE been through a lot and even if the book makes little sense half the time, you just want them to be happy. Rosa's words in the end are inspiring to me, if not a bit cliche, but it's so easy to understand some words and so difficult to actually follow through.
There was a 3rd character, James, who the book tried to make him seem like the most normal character ever, but also was the one helping things along with both women. I don't know if I would say this was the author's brilliant move at having him be obscure for no reason, but I salute the effort!
An interesting read, nonetheless, but I just can't say I liked it as a whole.
September 8, 2022
What a sweet (and at the same time sad) story! I suddenly wait impatiently for winter to come as the fabulous descriptions of this book make this season twice as magical as it usually is ❄ I loved the 2 main characters stories... how they evolved together... and then apart from each other. I felt at some point as the little girl I used to be, reading all those magical stories that seemed so... real!
March 23, 2022
4.25 ⭐️
alice in wonderland, the night circus(!!!!), narnia vibes…
i got really really into it from the start… straight into it and instantly curious
3rd person dual pov worked SO well. loved getting both of the women’s views and they each had such a distinctive voice and were completely different characters
genuinely find it so hard to write good things about books i enjoyed hahaha because.. i just enjoyed it???? it was definitely the vibes (how many times can i say vibes) and the characters that shaped this one for me. it’s a solid, easy book sink into. there’s not too much - if any?? - world building at ALL so a really good book if u want fantasy but not TOO much fantasy 😌
i really enjoyed this book.. i can genuinely think of very few things wrong with it. i think my maiiiin problem is that is wasn’t as exCiTTTing as i thought it was going to be/could have been. like it didn’t thrill me. i kinda wanted to be on the edge of my seat.. but i wasn’t? STILL that’s probably more my own preference than anything about the actual book 🤪
it was also set in our world in the 1830’s… i do like that it’s predominantly set in england (rlly gives it alice and classic fairytale/period vibes) but i kinda wish it wasn’t set in a particular place/era etc like they mention queen victoria which makes u think its quite a realistic world (like… our world) but then theres plants that have teeth and eat rabbits and clockwork animals that act like real pets … so it’s just a little disorienting?
LITTLE bits of romance (but not the most satisfying- for a reason) so don’t read this for romance. i liked that it wasn’t romancey though - it definitely wouldnt have worked as well if there was a prominent romance storyline
if u like the vibes and storylines from the night circus/alice in wonderland definitely consider reading this one💗
(100000% check for trigger warnings please 💗)
(also side note i listened to the audiobook - really liked it i do recommend because the ultra british vo artist isnt cringey but actually accentuates the ✨vibes✨ the book was giving - but she didnt do different voices for different characters which diiiiiid confuse me at times but not too much)
alice in wonderland, the night circus(!!!!), narnia vibes…
i got really really into it from the start… straight into it and instantly curious
3rd person dual pov worked SO well. loved getting both of the women’s views and they each had such a distinctive voice and were completely different characters
genuinely find it so hard to write good things about books i enjoyed hahaha because.. i just enjoyed it???? it was definitely the vibes (how many times can i say vibes) and the characters that shaped this one for me. it’s a solid, easy book sink into. there’s not too much - if any?? - world building at ALL so a really good book if u want fantasy but not TOO much fantasy 😌
i really enjoyed this book.. i can genuinely think of very few things wrong with it. i think my maiiiin problem is that is wasn’t as exCiTTTing as i thought it was going to be/could have been. like it didn’t thrill me. i kinda wanted to be on the edge of my seat.. but i wasn’t? STILL that’s probably more my own preference than anything about the actual book 🤪
it was also set in our world in the 1830’s… i do like that it’s predominantly set in england (rlly gives it alice and classic fairytale/period vibes) but i kinda wish it wasn’t set in a particular place/era etc like they mention queen victoria which makes u think its quite a realistic world (like… our world) but then theres plants that have teeth and eat rabbits and clockwork animals that act like real pets … so it’s just a little disorienting?
LITTLE bits of romance (but not the most satisfying- for a reason) so don’t read this for romance. i liked that it wasn’t romancey though - it definitely wouldnt have worked as well if there was a prominent romance storyline
if u like the vibes and storylines from the night circus/alice in wonderland definitely consider reading this one💗
(100000% check for trigger warnings please 💗)
(also side note i listened to the audiobook - really liked it i do recommend because the ultra british vo artist isnt cringey but actually accentuates the ✨vibes✨ the book was giving - but she didnt do different voices for different characters which diiiiiid confuse me at times but not too much)
February 2, 2022
DNF at 156/528
To clarify, I give books that I dnf 1 star. This is my own opinion and way of rating.
Even though the book started promising, I quickly lost my interest. The book has all the tropes and magical elements that could let this story be right up my alley.
Unfortunately, it was the development of the characters and the writing style that got me unhooked. The characters felt rather flat. We did know their thoughts and opinions but I couldn't feel any emotional attachment.
But the big bummer for me was the writing style. The plot is very promising, but feels so passive. The writing 'rule' show, don't tell seemed to be completely ignored. Every big event was rather either told passively, without much action, or looked back upon in letters or a memory the next day. I felt like we were never part of the action and just watching it all from far away.
I was hoping to get a little further in the book than where I'm stranded now, but I feel it's time to move on to the next book.
To clarify, I give books that I dnf 1 star. This is my own opinion and way of rating.
Even though the book started promising, I quickly lost my interest. The book has all the tropes and magical elements that could let this story be right up my alley.
Unfortunately, it was the development of the characters and the writing style that got me unhooked. The characters felt rather flat. We did know their thoughts and opinions but I couldn't feel any emotional attachment.
But the big bummer for me was the writing style. The plot is very promising, but feels so passive. The writing 'rule' show, don't tell seemed to be completely ignored. Every big event was rather either told passively, without much action, or looked back upon in letters or a memory the next day. I felt like we were never part of the action and just watching it all from far away.
I was hoping to get a little further in the book than where I'm stranded now, but I feel it's time to move on to the next book.
January 8, 2023
4.5/5
This was such a wonderful book which I highly recommend reading in winter.
It was not my usual genre but I loved it.
It was beautifully written and the characters were well developed.
A great storyline too.
This was such a wonderful book which I highly recommend reading in winter.
It was not my usual genre but I loved it.
It was beautifully written and the characters were well developed.
A great storyline too.
September 14, 2022
I really loved this one, and I have a feeling it’s going to take me a while to work out why. Firstly, it’s a very smooth, easy read, quite pacy, and I sunk into it easily. It feels somewhat like a children’s book in that respect - and yet it deals with very adult content, in difficult ways. But despite lacking the neatness of children’s books, it nevertheless retains the sense of the magic and mystery. For once, it turned off the part of my brain that is analysing the writing, and I lost myself in the story. It’s been a very, very long time since a book has managed that, and it’s been even longer since it was one where I had no comment on the written style itself.
I can see why this is being compared to the Night Circus, but I feel that gives the wrong idea of what to expect from it. Erin Morgenstern’s written style is much more flourishing than this, which I would honestly describe more as unobtrusive. I don’t mean that in a negative way at all, I just want people to go into it expecting the Victorian setting and the magical realism that glimmers in spectacle and crowds. It shouldn’t be compared on any other level, because it is entirely it’s own creature.
I genuinely loved it, and I think one of the reasons for that is that it isn’t a story about romantic love - it’s a story about regret, about motherhood, and making peace with the life you have led. Beatrice and Rosa are such interesting characters, and they bring something to this genre that I personally have felt has been lacking for a long time; a story about love and friendship that doesn’t take a backseat to romance. It’s a glittering, sparkling spectacle of a book, about what makes people human and how we deal with that, and it’s also an adventure. A joyously cosy read that takes us all over this magical world, shows us the best of it, and yet doesn’t shy away from the worst of life. (SPOILER: TWs include addiction, gaslighting, abuse, death (including death of a child), and many, many more). But none of that felt gratuitous, or overwrought, or like the author is trying to fit the plot into an expected pattern or create drama for the sake of it.
We were given a hope for the best ending at the very beginning, and yet already knew it would not be possible. But the ending we did get was thoughtfully brought, much more real and believable and genuine than anything that it might easily have been forced into, both requiring growth and allowing space for further growth of the characters, which is always the most internet satisfying for me as a reason. It’s also a difficult feat to pull off in fantasy, and I applaud the author for managing it.
Perhaps that’s why it feels like a children’s book to me. Because it is, ultimately, about hope, and forgiveness, and being your best self. And that is not something that we see in adult fiction often enough. Perhaps that, too, is why I loved it so very much.
I can see why this is being compared to the Night Circus, but I feel that gives the wrong idea of what to expect from it. Erin Morgenstern’s written style is much more flourishing than this, which I would honestly describe more as unobtrusive. I don’t mean that in a negative way at all, I just want people to go into it expecting the Victorian setting and the magical realism that glimmers in spectacle and crowds. It shouldn’t be compared on any other level, because it is entirely it’s own creature.
I genuinely loved it, and I think one of the reasons for that is that it isn’t a story about romantic love - it’s a story about regret, about motherhood, and making peace with the life you have led. Beatrice and Rosa are such interesting characters, and they bring something to this genre that I personally have felt has been lacking for a long time; a story about love and friendship that doesn’t take a backseat to romance. It’s a glittering, sparkling spectacle of a book, about what makes people human and how we deal with that, and it’s also an adventure. A joyously cosy read that takes us all over this magical world, shows us the best of it, and yet doesn’t shy away from the worst of life. (SPOILER: TWs include addiction, gaslighting, abuse, death (including death of a child), and many, many more). But none of that felt gratuitous, or overwrought, or like the author is trying to fit the plot into an expected pattern or create drama for the sake of it.
We were given a hope for the best ending at the very beginning, and yet already knew it would not be possible. But the ending we did get was thoughtfully brought, much more real and believable and genuine than anything that it might easily have been forced into, both requiring growth and allowing space for further growth of the characters, which is always the most internet satisfying for me as a reason. It’s also a difficult feat to pull off in fantasy, and I applaud the author for managing it.
Perhaps that’s why it feels like a children’s book to me. Because it is, ultimately, about hope, and forgiveness, and being your best self. And that is not something that we see in adult fiction often enough. Perhaps that, too, is why I loved it so very much.
September 5, 2021
Beatrice is shown the magical Winter Garden in her darkest moments as a child. When the garden moves on no one believes her. Skip 18 years and Beatrice is set to marry a man her father approved of, but Beatrice decides to disregard societal expectations and pursue her search for the Winter Garden. When Beatrice is invited to take part in an extraordinary competition she didn't realise she would be up against her best friend.
This book is a powerful story of feminism, friendship and identity entwined in a magical world of Victorian England. Filled with whimsical writing and childlike fairytales told in an adult historical fantasy. If you like books that have fantastical elements of magic while dealing with the harsh realities of life you'll enjoy this.
I loved the captivating writing of this book. While magical elements were a large part of the story, what drove the plot was the two main characters and their struggles within Victorian society. Neither women fit the social norms that were expected of women and faced very different but equally challenging lives and decisions. Bell is very frank and honest in her writing of difficult topics including sexuality, excessive drug use and oppression, while paying close attention on issues of grief, mental health and misogyny. I found it hard to read in places but the topics were handled well and written with care. I will say the magical elements and the ending is so worth the sad moments in this book, each character comes a long way from their hardships.
Overall this book is a thought provoking story with harsh realities told in a fantastical world filled with magic. It's beautifully written, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy stories that discuss real issues within a world filled with magic.
TW: Sexual assault, drug use, death
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a powerful story of feminism, friendship and identity entwined in a magical world of Victorian England. Filled with whimsical writing and childlike fairytales told in an adult historical fantasy. If you like books that have fantastical elements of magic while dealing with the harsh realities of life you'll enjoy this.
I loved the captivating writing of this book. While magical elements were a large part of the story, what drove the plot was the two main characters and their struggles within Victorian society. Neither women fit the social norms that were expected of women and faced very different but equally challenging lives and decisions. Bell is very frank and honest in her writing of difficult topics including sexuality, excessive drug use and oppression, while paying close attention on issues of grief, mental health and misogyny. I found it hard to read in places but the topics were handled well and written with care. I will say the magical elements and the ending is so worth the sad moments in this book, each character comes a long way from their hardships.
Overall this book is a thought provoking story with harsh realities told in a fantastical world filled with magic. It's beautifully written, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy stories that discuss real issues within a world filled with magic.
TW: Sexual assault, drug use, death
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2021
4.5 Stars
The Winter Garden is a beautiful and magical book which has been exquisitely written. I was completely swept up in this rich and powerful story and I couldn’t put it down. This is an intricately woven tale with an amazing world which is so vividly described. The pleasure gardens in particularly are described in such exquisite detail conjuring up gorgeous images of the surroundings and transporting you to the cold snowy and sparkling landscapes. The descriptions of the flowers and animals are breathtaking and the clockwork animals are amazing and also quite frightening. The book has it’s own unique atmosphere which shifts from a beautiful fairytale to something quite dark and sinister.
The characters have depth and complexity and even though none of them are particularly likeable I was completely drawn to them all. The main protagonist Beatrice is the most fascinating of characters, although Rosa became just as intriguing with the introduction of her narrative partway through. Both are strong women forging their way in a male dominated society, a Victorian period in time in which it was not an easy place for women.
This book completely captured my imagination, and with the snowy scenes and sheer magic of it all it would make the perfect Christmas read. A dreamy and wondrous book which was an absolute joy to read.
Thank you so much to the publisher for the gorgeous proof for review.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
The Winter Garden is a beautiful and magical book which has been exquisitely written. I was completely swept up in this rich and powerful story and I couldn’t put it down. This is an intricately woven tale with an amazing world which is so vividly described. The pleasure gardens in particularly are described in such exquisite detail conjuring up gorgeous images of the surroundings and transporting you to the cold snowy and sparkling landscapes. The descriptions of the flowers and animals are breathtaking and the clockwork animals are amazing and also quite frightening. The book has it’s own unique atmosphere which shifts from a beautiful fairytale to something quite dark and sinister.
The characters have depth and complexity and even though none of them are particularly likeable I was completely drawn to them all. The main protagonist Beatrice is the most fascinating of characters, although Rosa became just as intriguing with the introduction of her narrative partway through. Both are strong women forging their way in a male dominated society, a Victorian period in time in which it was not an easy place for women.
This book completely captured my imagination, and with the snowy scenes and sheer magic of it all it would make the perfect Christmas read. A dreamy and wondrous book which was an absolute joy to read.
Thank you so much to the publisher for the gorgeous proof for review.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
March 26, 2022
1.75★
I am so disappointed by this book.
I find The Winter Garden to be too much and not enough at the same time; too many descriptions that are unnecessary to the storylines, too many tropes as if the author wanted to put every one she could think of in one single book (more than 10) and too little depth for topics that deserved way more than that. I won’t even mention rape/sexual abuse since it was completely brushed aside but at least the drug abuse, depression and toxic/abusive friendships which is the best kind of relationship that we have in this story.
I can guess than the moral of the book would be to embrace our mistakes, find the positive outcome and move on from them because we cannot change the past but you sure can apologize to the people you’ve hurt and crushed along the way especially when you are calling them your friends. The emotional abuse in this book really is one of a kind.
And for a book about a secret Winter garden I would have liked to see that said garden.
I am so disappointed by this book.
« She had so many questions about the world — and if she couldn’t ask them, then how would she ever learn its many secrets? »
I find The Winter Garden to be too much and not enough at the same time; too many descriptions that are unnecessary to the storylines, too many tropes as if the author wanted to put every one she could think of in one single book (more than 10) and too little depth for topics that deserved way more than that. I won’t even mention rape/sexual abuse since it was completely brushed aside but at least the drug abuse, depression and toxic/abusive friendships which is the best kind of relationship that we have in this story.
I can guess than the moral of the book would be to embrace our mistakes, find the positive outcome and move on from them because we cannot change the past but you sure can apologize to the people you’ve hurt and crushed along the way especially when you are calling them your friends. The emotional abuse in this book really is one of a kind.
« They say gardens are good for the soul. »
And for a book about a secret Winter garden I would have liked to see that said garden.
December 20, 2024
4,5⭐️
Take an enchanting dive in the world of the Winter Garden!
On the night of her mother’s death, young Beatrice discovers the magical Winter Garden. Years later, as an adult trapped by societal expectations, she joins a competition to design a pleasure garden, hoping to rediscover the magic and fulfill her deepest wish.
"The Winter Garden" is a mesmerizing story that explores profound themes such as grief, solace, regret, and motherhood. While the summary suggests Beatrice is the central character, Rosa, her closest friend, takes an equally prominent role. This dual focus works beautifully, as both women are richly developed, their ambitions and sorrows intricately tied to their choices.
Before the competition begins, the story delves into the women’s backgrounds, effectively grounding their motivations and desires. This depth adds emotional weight to the stakes of the contest and makes their journeys even more compelling.
The book brims with enchanting details: intricate clockwork, wintery magic, and descriptions of extraordinary plants and creatures that transport readers to a world of wonder. The setting feels like a magical reality, vividly imagined and skillfully executed. Beyond its fantastical elements, the novel also touches on the societal inequalities of the 19th century, particularly the limitations imposed on women, adding depth and relevance to the narrative.
"The Winter Garden" is a beautifully layered tale that will captivate fans of magical realism and historical fiction. With its vivid imagery and poignant exploration of loss and ambition, this book is a truly enchanting read. Highly recommended.
Take an enchanting dive in the world of the Winter Garden!
On the night of her mother’s death, young Beatrice discovers the magical Winter Garden. Years later, as an adult trapped by societal expectations, she joins a competition to design a pleasure garden, hoping to rediscover the magic and fulfill her deepest wish.
"The Winter Garden" is a mesmerizing story that explores profound themes such as grief, solace, regret, and motherhood. While the summary suggests Beatrice is the central character, Rosa, her closest friend, takes an equally prominent role. This dual focus works beautifully, as both women are richly developed, their ambitions and sorrows intricately tied to their choices.
Before the competition begins, the story delves into the women’s backgrounds, effectively grounding their motivations and desires. This depth adds emotional weight to the stakes of the contest and makes their journeys even more compelling.
The book brims with enchanting details: intricate clockwork, wintery magic, and descriptions of extraordinary plants and creatures that transport readers to a world of wonder. The setting feels like a magical reality, vividly imagined and skillfully executed. Beyond its fantastical elements, the novel also touches on the societal inequalities of the 19th century, particularly the limitations imposed on women, adding depth and relevance to the narrative.
"The Winter Garden" is a beautifully layered tale that will captivate fans of magical realism and historical fiction. With its vivid imagery and poignant exploration of loss and ambition, this book is a truly enchanting read. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2025
This was not at all what I was expecting it to be. I thought it was going to be a light fantasy/romantasy, but it turned out to be a slightly steampunk historical fantasy with some pretty dark themes and no romance at all. I was not expecting the exploration of depression, spousal abuse, medical travesties committed against women, and hysteria. There was some of that dreaded descriptive writing, but it was actually the perfect addition. It didn't get so flowery that you lost all idea of what was being described, the descriptions weren't so long-winded that there was more description than anything else, and most of the descriptions focused on things important to the plot. As I said, there was no romance, so I didn't have to read anything about people's appearances (YAY!), a few dresses were described during pinnacle moments in the plot, but most of the descriptive writing was saved for the fantastical gardens and because of that it really shone. For me, this is the descriptive writing that all authors (who want to include 'flowery writing' in their books) should aspire to.
December 15, 2023
Este livro não era nada do que esperava. Pensava ser uma história de jardim encantados, uma espécie de conto de fadas inspirado nas nossas histórias favoritas. Mas a narrativa vai abordando temas muito mais sérios a medida que o enredo vai evoluindo.
Não deixa de existir os tais jardins encantados repletos de plantas exóticas, de máquinas fantásticas que recriam a neve ou o fogo. No entanto também acompanhamos a vida de duas amigas que lidam com decisões difíceis, arrependimentos e desafios. Beatrice e Rosa criam dois jardins encantadores, mas são incapazes de ver para além do seu sofrimento. Por causa de um desejo são capazes de atitudes cruéis.
Apesar do final melancólico, não deixa de ser uma narrativa repleta dos seus momentos mágicos. Principalmente os capítulos envolvendo as descobertas de Beatrice, a construção do carrossel de Rosa e a enigmática Rainha Aranha. Assim como demonstra como a vida de uma rapariga sempre foi difícil, e que a segurança do dinheiro não significava que tais mulheres sofressem menos.
Não deixa de existir os tais jardins encantados repletos de plantas exóticas, de máquinas fantásticas que recriam a neve ou o fogo. No entanto também acompanhamos a vida de duas amigas que lidam com decisões difíceis, arrependimentos e desafios. Beatrice e Rosa criam dois jardins encantadores, mas são incapazes de ver para além do seu sofrimento. Por causa de um desejo são capazes de atitudes cruéis.
Apesar do final melancólico, não deixa de ser uma narrativa repleta dos seus momentos mágicos. Principalmente os capítulos envolvendo as descobertas de Beatrice, a construção do carrossel de Rosa e a enigmática Rainha Aranha. Assim como demonstra como a vida de uma rapariga sempre foi difícil, e que a segurança do dinheiro não significava que tais mulheres sofressem menos.
March 3, 2022
After a few of the lovely ladies from my book club said how much they had enjoyed this one I took the opportunity to loan this on Borrow Box as an audio. I have been diving into more fantasy books in the last couple of years so when I saw this one was a mix of fantasy and historical I was very intrigued, plus the cover is gorgeous!
The imagery in this story is sublime! I’m not usually great with overly descriptive stories but this one was painting pictures in my imagination and creating this whole new world that I didn’t want to leave. From incredible gardens to fantastic creations this was packed with magic and mystery.
Beatrice and Rosa had a very interesting friendship. They were chalk and cheese but I think that is what made them work. Beatrice, who struggles with a stutter, doesn’t want a husband and if hell bent on discovering the fantastical winter garden she first visited as a child. Whilst Beatrice was timid she was very determined and she showed a lot of bravery very early on.
Rosa was destined to be a lady of the manor and could not wait to find a loving husband. She spoke her mind and was determined to succeed in her life goals. What both ladies hadn’t realised was how different their lives would turn out. When they start to compete against each other to win the winter garden competition things certainly get complicated. I could sympathise with both women on many occasions but I felt Rosa’s rational thinking won me over in the end.
This perfectly weaved history and magic, making it an engrossing and beautiful read!
The imagery in this story is sublime! I’m not usually great with overly descriptive stories but this one was painting pictures in my imagination and creating this whole new world that I didn’t want to leave. From incredible gardens to fantastic creations this was packed with magic and mystery.
Beatrice and Rosa had a very interesting friendship. They were chalk and cheese but I think that is what made them work. Beatrice, who struggles with a stutter, doesn’t want a husband and if hell bent on discovering the fantastical winter garden she first visited as a child. Whilst Beatrice was timid she was very determined and she showed a lot of bravery very early on.
Rosa was destined to be a lady of the manor and could not wait to find a loving husband. She spoke her mind and was determined to succeed in her life goals. What both ladies hadn’t realised was how different their lives would turn out. When they start to compete against each other to win the winter garden competition things certainly get complicated. I could sympathise with both women on many occasions but I felt Rosa’s rational thinking won me over in the end.
This perfectly weaved history and magic, making it an engrossing and beautiful read!
February 12, 2022
⭐️4,5⭐️
Dit was een hele bijzondere read. Want ondanks dat dit boek heel beschrijvend was, niet perse geweldige personages had en er niet bijzonder veel gebeurde; las het ontzettend vlot, voelde ik me geïnvesteerd in het verhaal en stond ik steeds te springen om verder te lezen.
Het boek heeft ruim 500 pagina’s maar daar merk je niet veel van. Je vliegt er door heen.
Het verhaal is verweven met magie, harde levenslessen en mooie boodschappen.
The Winter Graden zal denk ik niet voor iedereen iets zijn, zo’n verhaal en schrijfwijze moet je liggen. Maar als het je dan ligt is het ook écht genieten 💕.
Dit was een hele bijzondere read. Want ondanks dat dit boek heel beschrijvend was, niet perse geweldige personages had en er niet bijzonder veel gebeurde; las het ontzettend vlot, voelde ik me geïnvesteerd in het verhaal en stond ik steeds te springen om verder te lezen.
Het boek heeft ruim 500 pagina’s maar daar merk je niet veel van. Je vliegt er door heen.
Het verhaal is verweven met magie, harde levenslessen en mooie boodschappen.
The Winter Graden zal denk ik niet voor iedereen iets zijn, zo’n verhaal en schrijfwijze moet je liggen. Maar als het je dan ligt is het ook écht genieten 💕.
February 7, 2022
The Winter Garden is a magical journey full of fantasy, adventure and mystery. A wondrous mix of historical fiction and magical realism, with tales of tigers made of stars and carousels with animals with gold and silver ribbons.
I loved the strong female characters. The connections between Beatrice and Rosa were wonderful and I really thought the way their relationship ebbed and flowed through the book was written beautifully. Both were so deserving of love and happiness.
I loved the strong female characters. The connections between Beatrice and Rosa were wonderful and I really thought the way their relationship ebbed and flowed through the book was written beautifully. Both were so deserving of love and happiness.
October 17, 2021
An interesting period piece with some poorly-defined magical boundaries, that still mostly manages to get things right.
The Winter Garden is the story of two friends in early-Victorian England. It follows their lives as they discover and attempt to rediscover the mysterious, magical 'Winter Garden'; a place full of beautiful otherworldly plants and magical creatures. The majority of the book however is focused on the individual lives of Rosa and Beatrice; the former as she lives in a deeply unhappy marriage with a member of the British gentry, and the latter as she adamantly decides upon spinsterhood and goes travelling around the world. These stories allow for some interesting exploration of the lives of women in this time period; the standard domestic abuse, psychological torment, dismissal and any number of other horrors that we get to see up close. It's rightly horrendous, but we also get a little bit of catharsis as our characters are given powers somewhat beyond the majority of their peers, enabling them to strike back against the men in their lives- although we do get to see the consequences of this as well. I think Bell does a good job of presenting all her characters as products of their age; the men could be cartoon characters with the levels of evil that we see on display, but she manages to make them believable (not sympathetic) characters, misguided by the thoughts of the era- wanted the best for themselves and failing to understand how they may be hurting others in the process.
The weaker side of this book is undoubtedly the magic. We seem to be initially presented with our own 1830s world, and Beatrice makes her way into the magical realm of the Winter Garden. It gives us the initial impression that its bizarre and unusual. But as the book progresses, we see that the world that Beatrice and Rosa normally inhabit is also infused with magic; walking trees with teeth, clockwork animals that have lives of their own, teacups that turn into rabbits and run away. And no-one remarks on this at any point! So we must be living in a magical world. Which begs the serious question; why do we need to go back to the Winter Garden, if we already have all this magic at our disposal? It's a strange oversight that never really feels resolved or explained.
But overall it's a pleasant read. The prose itself may be a little lackluster, but it is attempting to describe some wonderous magical worlds, and the imagination is clearly there. The characters are well rounded and have real-feeling relationships. And the whole thing is suffused with a clear love for nature, including some interesting tidbits about the Orchid-hunting craze. Definitely not bad, but nothing revolutionary.
The Winter Garden is the story of two friends in early-Victorian England. It follows their lives as they discover and attempt to rediscover the mysterious, magical 'Winter Garden'; a place full of beautiful otherworldly plants and magical creatures. The majority of the book however is focused on the individual lives of Rosa and Beatrice; the former as she lives in a deeply unhappy marriage with a member of the British gentry, and the latter as she adamantly decides upon spinsterhood and goes travelling around the world. These stories allow for some interesting exploration of the lives of women in this time period; the standard domestic abuse, psychological torment, dismissal and any number of other horrors that we get to see up close. It's rightly horrendous, but we also get a little bit of catharsis as our characters are given powers somewhat beyond the majority of their peers, enabling them to strike back against the men in their lives- although we do get to see the consequences of this as well. I think Bell does a good job of presenting all her characters as products of their age; the men could be cartoon characters with the levels of evil that we see on display, but she manages to make them believable (not sympathetic) characters, misguided by the thoughts of the era- wanted the best for themselves and failing to understand how they may be hurting others in the process.
The weaker side of this book is undoubtedly the magic. We seem to be initially presented with our own 1830s world, and Beatrice makes her way into the magical realm of the Winter Garden. It gives us the initial impression that its bizarre and unusual. But as the book progresses, we see that the world that Beatrice and Rosa normally inhabit is also infused with magic; walking trees with teeth, clockwork animals that have lives of their own, teacups that turn into rabbits and run away. And no-one remarks on this at any point! So we must be living in a magical world. Which begs the serious question; why do we need to go back to the Winter Garden, if we already have all this magic at our disposal? It's a strange oversight that never really feels resolved or explained.
But overall it's a pleasant read. The prose itself may be a little lackluster, but it is attempting to describe some wonderous magical worlds, and the imagination is clearly there. The characters are well rounded and have real-feeling relationships. And the whole thing is suffused with a clear love for nature, including some interesting tidbits about the Orchid-hunting craze. Definitely not bad, but nothing revolutionary.
February 17, 2023
/!\ little disclaimer: many reviews tackle the following problems I've encountered, don't hesitate to look at the other reviews as I'm not the best for clear explanations and not the best person to talk about racism as a white woman.
/!\ check the tw if you still want to read it
First of all, I wasn't expecting this story at all, in my head this book was about magic and beautiful gardens but it was way more about the two protagonists and their problems.
- The biggest problem I have with this book is about the very unidimensional feminism. It is quite clear the author wanted to denounce the sexism of this time, but it is a feminism centered on the protagonists, a real egocentric white feminism. Not even a word about racism and colonization of this period, it could have been in the book as Beatrice is traveling, some opportunities was clearly missed here and in the end the book has some really sketchy racist vibes and ... no thank you
- The other problem was .. the story itself. The book was slow, the competition mentioned in the resume appears in the middle of the book. I still don't understand if magic is normal in this world, the first appearance of the garden seems impossible for the others but later the gardens have some magic aspects and it looks normal for the visitors (???). Finally, the two protagonists are really unlikeable, no evolution during the story and, again, their feminism opinion is really disturbing without any sorority. Fortunately, James was here (he is the only real friend between the 3) but it was not enough to save the book. The other good point of the book was the discovery of both gardens with the mystical vibe, creatures ect.
/!\ check the tw if you still want to read it
First of all, I wasn't expecting this story at all, in my head this book was about magic and beautiful gardens but it was way more about the two protagonists and their problems.
- The biggest problem I have with this book is about the very unidimensional feminism. It is quite clear the author wanted to denounce the sexism of this time, but it is a feminism centered on the protagonists, a real egocentric white feminism. Not even a word about racism and colonization of this period, it could have been in the book as Beatrice is traveling, some opportunities was clearly missed here and in the end the book has some really sketchy racist vibes and ... no thank you
- The other problem was .. the story itself. The book was slow, the competition mentioned in the resume appears in the middle of the book. I still don't understand if magic is normal in this world, the first appearance of the garden seems impossible for the others but later the gardens have some magic aspects and it looks normal for the visitors (???). Finally, the two protagonists are really unlikeable, no evolution during the story and, again, their feminism opinion is really disturbing without any sorority. Fortunately, James was here (he is the only real friend between the 3) but it was not enough to save the book. The other good point of the book was the discovery of both gardens with the mystical vibe, creatures ect.
May 1, 2023
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Winter Garden
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Alexandra Bell
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 2nd September 2021
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 1st May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
“Life needs dark leaves in the wreath. There cannot be true joy without sorrow, or real happiness without loss. They come as a pair. It is simply how it must be, if one is to live a full life.”
This is a beautiful historical fantasy set in a time when women were men’s property by law.
I think the time period is what made the female friendship in the book so strong and compelling. Beatrice and Rosa are set on trajectories that promise sorrow, coupled with their obstinate personalities that strain other human connection, they admire each others strong wills and manage to find solace in each other.
Although both Rosa and Beatrice explore motherhood and loss in different ways, I did find Rosa’s story more captivating, perhaps because it felt like she had more to lose than Beatrice and everything to gain.
Although, to be honest, I wasn’t overly keen on either of the main characters. I typically love a fierce female character—especially two of them!—but I thought they were both very selfish, and neither of them treated James with the kindness he deserved.
Overall, this is a bittersweet story of pure magic brimming with gorgeous writing that is equally ethereal as it is profound. It reminded me of House of Sorrowing Stars due to that exquisite beauty that can only be found in a world of magical realism.
“‘What was it like?’ James asked then. ‘In the garden? Did you really see the Spider Queen? The Frost Orchid? The Book of Lost Souls?’
‘I s-saw it all,’ Beatrice replied. For a moment she was back there, in the icy swirl of stars and snow. ‘And it was p-pure magic.’”
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Twitter
♡Blog
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Winter Garden
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Alexandra Bell
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 2nd September 2021
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 1st May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
“Life needs dark leaves in the wreath. There cannot be true joy without sorrow, or real happiness without loss. They come as a pair. It is simply how it must be, if one is to live a full life.”
This is a beautiful historical fantasy set in a time when women were men’s property by law.
I think the time period is what made the female friendship in the book so strong and compelling. Beatrice and Rosa are set on trajectories that promise sorrow, coupled with their obstinate personalities that strain other human connection, they admire each others strong wills and manage to find solace in each other.
Although both Rosa and Beatrice explore motherhood and loss in different ways, I did find Rosa’s story more captivating, perhaps because it felt like she had more to lose than Beatrice and everything to gain.
Although, to be honest, I wasn’t overly keen on either of the main characters. I typically love a fierce female character—especially two of them!—but I thought they were both very selfish, and neither of them treated James with the kindness he deserved.
Overall, this is a bittersweet story of pure magic brimming with gorgeous writing that is equally ethereal as it is profound. It reminded me of House of Sorrowing Stars due to that exquisite beauty that can only be found in a world of magical realism.
“‘What was it like?’ James asked then. ‘In the garden? Did you really see the Spider Queen? The Frost Orchid? The Book of Lost Souls?’
‘I s-saw it all,’ Beatrice replied. For a moment she was back there, in the icy swirl of stars and snow. ‘And it was p-pure magic.’”
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Blog
December 11, 2021
magical, whimsical, really what i was in the mood for reading! i want my own magical winter garden
February 4, 2022
Absolutely magical, mesmerising & so more-ish! This novel is totally out of the relms of what I'd usually read but the imagery was exquisite, the story beautifully written I'm so glad I did.
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