Thomas's Reviews > Winter Garden

5*
This book starts off slow. It is a story of relationships--mother and two daughters, Meredith and Nina, and the two daughters who have a strained relationship. Their father, Evan has held the family together, making up for his wife not being able to show affection for her two daughters. But he has had a severe heart attack and is dying. In one last attempt to heal the emotional gulf between his wife and children, he asks his wife to tell them the fairy tale of the peasant girl and the prince. Then he asks Nina to listen and to do whatever is necessary to get Anya, their mom to tell them the whole story.
Both Nina and Meredith have grown up into adults who are unable to have normal relationships with others. Meredith's marriage is failing, because she shuts her husband out with an emotional wall. Nina is a world famous photographer who runs away from family and commitment by flying off to the latest war/famine/disaster. She refuses to accept a marriage proposal from someone who loves her and she loves because of her stunted emotional growth.
But Meredith and Nina and their mother come together through the fairy tale, which reveals long buried secrets of pain and sadness. I can't say more without going into spoiler territory. There is a connection to the siege of Leningrad. I recommend reading The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad by Harrison E. Salisbury.
I visited St. Petersburg in 2012 and found a warning plaque, mentioned in the Salisbury book, that warned citizens to go to the opposite side of the street in case of shelling from the enemy.
I liked the ending, which has a healing touch. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and fans of strong woman characters.
One quote: "Was that what they'd discover on this trip? That their mother was like one of her precious Russian nesting dolls, and if that were true, would they ever really see the one hidden deep inside?"
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for sending this book through the Goodreads giveaway program.
My wife just finished this book and she agrees it is a 5 star read. She says that you should read it slowly and savor it.