Winter Garden

Written by Kristin Hannah

Narrated by Susan Ericksen

Can a woman ever really know herself if she doesn't know her mother?

From the author of the smash-hit bestseller Firefly Lane and True Colors comes Kristin Hannah's powerful, heartbreaking novel that illuminates the intricate mother-daughter bond and explores the enduring links between the present and the past

Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time—and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya's life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother's life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Feb 2, 2010
• ISBN: 9781423325239

Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah is an award-winning international number one bestseller with more than 25 million copies of her books sold worldwide. Her novels include, most recently, The Women (which topped the Sunday Times bestseller chart), The Four Winds and The Great Alone. The Nightingale is the winner of numerous best fiction awards and is soon to become a major movie, and Kristin’s much-loved earlier novel, Firefly Lane, was a number one blockbuster series on Netflix. Her writing has taken readers across multiple eras and to many places, but the thing that connects all of her work is the focus on what it’s like being a woman in challenging times. Kristin is a lawyer-turned-writer and is the mother of one son. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle.

Reviews for Winter Garden

[Angie Lewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing book about a terrible time in history and the amazing resilience of a people.

[Carman Staller · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had a really hard time staying invested in this book I found myself spacing out a lot during the middle. The ending of course was great as all of Kristin’s endings are, but this book was not one of my favorites of hers.

[wendyhanson720 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful storyteller. I absolutely love ❤️ Kristin Hannah’s books…. This is my 2nd favorite book of hers….

[Connie Soendker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Couldn’t put it down! Love this author so much, A must read

[Raluca Vomir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a touching story. I laughed and cried with the characters. And the ending, although tragic, it’s beautiful. Totally recommend the book❤️

[LynneGauthier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely story within a story. You will also get to learn some ww2 history.

[R'jaye Rojas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When she met Sasha and they talked in the summer garden

[rvnyitray · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely beautiful work. The story was incredible! Left me crying many times!!!

[traceyo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

True to life. Loved the narration as well. Beautifully written

[Lucia Garcia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In "The Winter Garden," we dive into a heart-wrenching family saga where one sister nurtures the apple orchard, and the other travels the globe as a photojournalist. Their father's love provides warmth, but their mother’s icy demeanor leaves them emotionally adrift. As they uncover long-held secrets tied to a haunting fairy tale, this beautifully written story pulled at my heartstrings and had me reaching for the tissues. A perfect blend of sorrow and discovery that’s bound to leave its mark! ??

[sharma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Was a tear jerker for me. I only wish the story that was told was a fairy tale. So much suffering has gone on in the world. So much death and loss and destruction. And for what? There is no answer that justifies what women like this character and so many others went through. Was read very well. Accent of reader was great. Hooked from the start. Another great one from Kristen! I recommend. Quick listen or read.

[SUSAN MORIN · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was pulled into this story and felt the emotions portrayed. A wonderful complex story of a life well lived during a period when lack of basic foods and needs and yet cruelty was a common denominator.a superb story!

[Lara Hanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my word! This was such a beautiful listen. I was totally captivated the entire time!

[Amber Gillam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best book I have read all year! Starts a little slow but stick with it!

[Cari · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Be ready to cry.
I loved this story. I've never learned about Russian history and while this story is a work of fiction, I'm sure there were many true stories of people who lived through similar situations.
One that makes you stop and think and be grateful for the blessings you have.

[Mary Marlow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You have to listen to this book. One of the best I’ve ever listened to.

[carleigh58 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just like all of Kristen Hannah’s books! Just amazing. A definite good read.

[monique.debockkrehbi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Compared to Kristin’s other books, this story started out slow and I almost gave up listening to it. I’m thankful for the beautiful audio that kept me interested. I was surprised and loved how Vierra finds her Anya at the end. I love m Kristin’s writing.

[Angela Soltan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simply outstanding! This is the kind of books needed for people to understand the horrors any war has caused and the lasting damage in human lives.

[Ramonia Nelson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved the character development and the and gut wrenching mental imagery.

[Nan Phyffer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! Excellent. It’s been a while since I have enjoyed a book so much!

[Michelle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I started and restarted this book a couple of times. It just wasn't capturing my interest with what seemed like repeated emotions of the characters. I got so far along that I forced myself to continue just to find out where this story was going. If you can stay with it, the latter part seems to move along faster than the first. It wasn't until the end that I found out it was based on a true story.

[Rayne Vitorino Dias · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I have ever read. Couldn’t stop. It’s breathtaking and so passionate.

[20septembrie1986 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Da pula cine o suge in cartea asta ? !

[Barbara Goldberger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The audio delivery, Russian accents, delivery of characters that are flesh and blood people I cared for and about. Wow!

[ginnyre · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a beautiful, heartbreaking, breathtaking story!! This book will be in my top 3 reads this year.

[Annette Mongal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant! I am a new reader of Ms. Hannah's books. She is an amazing story teller. ❤️

[charlotte.barron724 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love historical fiction and this doesn't disappoint. In this book Hannah weaves a tale of family struggles and the effects of trauma from war. I love all her books. Read this and if you haven't read The Women, read it next!!

[Betsy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow!! One of her best so far! So moving, emotional and I couldn’t put it down! Get your tissues ready…

[Janvier Schutz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a “must” read, beautifully written and excellent narration!