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The Garden
Not yet published
Expected 18 Feb 25An eerie, hypnotic, darkly beautiful novel about two elderly sisters living alone at the edge of the world and how their lives unravel when their sanctum is breached, for fans of Piranesi and The Testaments.
In a place and time unknown, two elderly sisters live in a walled garden, secluded from the outside world. Evelyn and Lily have only ever known each other. What was before the garden, they have forgotten; what lies beyond it, they do not know. Each day is spent in languid service to their home: tending the bees, planting the crops, and dutifully following the instructions of the almanac written by their mother.
So when a nameless boy is found hiding in the boarded house at the center of their isolated grounds, their once-solitary lives are irrevocably disrupted. Who is he? Where did he come from? And most importantly, what does he want?
As suspicions gather and allegiances falter, Evelyn and Lily are forced to confront the dark truths about themselves, the garden, and the world as they’ve known it.
In a place and time unknown, two elderly sisters live in a walled garden, secluded from the outside world. Evelyn and Lily have only ever known each other. What was before the garden, they have forgotten; what lies beyond it, they do not know. Each day is spent in languid service to their home: tending the bees, planting the crops, and dutifully following the instructions of the almanac written by their mother.
So when a nameless boy is found hiding in the boarded house at the center of their isolated grounds, their once-solitary lives are irrevocably disrupted. Who is he? Where did he come from? And most importantly, what does he want?
As suspicions gather and allegiances falter, Evelyn and Lily are forced to confront the dark truths about themselves, the garden, and the world as they’ve known it.
12 pages, Audible Audio
Expected publication February 18, 2025
About the author
Nick Newman
16 books10 followersNick Newman is a lifelong nature lover from the UK, who spent the early part of his career working with racehorses. After enrolling in a training programme in 2014, he travelled to South Africa where he qualified as a Field Guide relishing the time he got to spend in the African bush. His life changed in unimaginable ways, after a once in a lifetime opportunity presented itself and he was afforded the opportunity to monitor black rhinos. This coincided with the period when the current rhino poaching crisis in South Africa was approaching tipping point. Finding himself in such a privileged position of helping to protect a critically endangered species, Nick today feels that he has a duty and responsibility to assist other conservationists in raising awareness of the rhinos’ plight, by sharing his stories from the frontline.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 22, 2024
I love what people are bringing to adult dystopia these days, and this story of two elderly sisters, living their moldering house and tending their garden, not knowing what, if anything, lies beyond the walls really appealed to me.
Evelyn and Lily are such different people, shaped by how they were each raised, and I found I understood them both, Eve for wanting to keep control of her surroundings and Lily for wanting to know what might lie beyond the walls.
While this was a little slow in the middle, the ending was devastatingly sad, and gave me, I felt, enough answers as the sister's lives are changed forever. I truly had to put the book down for a solid five minute crying session.
Evelyn and Lily are such different people, shaped by how they were each raised, and I found I understood them both, Eve for wanting to keep control of her surroundings and Lily for wanting to know what might lie beyond the walls.
While this was a little slow in the middle, the ending was devastatingly sad, and gave me, I felt, enough answers as the sister's lives are changed forever. I truly had to put the book down for a solid five minute crying session.
September 20, 2024
A uniquely suffocating story of the apocalypse, where two elderly sisters have subsisted for decades on habit and fearful memories of their mother. When a boy arrives out of the emptiness of the world, their bonds begin to fracture. Will this destroy their garden home? And if it does, are they losing a sanctuary or fleeing a prison?
I particularly loved how perceptions of the characters -- and it's such a small cast, essentially being two sisters, their deceased parents, and a boy that is more catalyst than person -- shift and change as the story progresses. Some data comes from flashbacks, but others arise as breaking from stasis allows more thoughts and more words from each sister.
I particularly loved how perceptions of the characters -- and it's such a small cast, essentially being two sisters, their deceased parents, and a boy that is more catalyst than person -- shift and change as the story progresses. Some data comes from flashbacks, but others arise as breaking from stasis allows more thoughts and more words from each sister.
September 14, 2024
The Garden started strongly. I found the premise interesting and the world building elements were well handled, so we got a continually building understanding of the sisters and their situation. Nonetheless, I did still have a few questions that were not answered, which made the ending a tad unsatisfactory for me. After such a slow buildup things seemed to conclude a little too abruptly. Regardless, the book had plenty of atmosphere and the pacing was generally well handled, which kept me wanting to read on. The two sisters both came across well as fully developed characters, but the boy who enters the garden felt a little less well defined, and many of my lingering questions at the end related to him and his motivation. Overall, though, it was a pleasing and original tale, so I am giving it four stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC vie NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC vie NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.
It is the story of Evelyn and Lily, two sisters who live in a house with a garden but never leave it. They are secluded from the world and never see anybody until one day, when Evelyn will start to notice that some of her stuff have moved…
This book is classified as sci-fi/fantasy, but I would say that it’s more of a mystery/horror book. I may be wrong though.
I had a great experience while reading this book! I often thought that it was really weird and that I couldn’t wait to read more to finally understand everything.
There was an eerie atmosphere throughout the book that was quite enjoyable.
The characters were a bit off sometimes, and I enjoyed that I sided with all the characters at different times in the book .
There was a lot of suspense and the chapters occurring in the past, really helped with that. I quite enjoyed them!
This is a slow paced book, with chapters that are not too long, third person narration, and we see what is happening through Evelyn’s eyes.
It is the story of Evelyn and Lily, two sisters who live in a house with a garden but never leave it. They are secluded from the world and never see anybody until one day, when Evelyn will start to notice that some of her stuff have moved…
This book is classified as sci-fi/fantasy, but I would say that it’s more of a mystery/horror book. I may be wrong though.
I had a great experience while reading this book! I often thought that it was really weird and that I couldn’t wait to read more to finally understand everything.
There was an eerie atmosphere throughout the book that was quite enjoyable.
The characters were a bit off sometimes, and I enjoyed that I sided with all the characters at different times in the book .
There was a lot of suspense and the chapters occurring in the past, really helped with that. I quite enjoyed them!
This is a slow paced book, with chapters that are not too long, third person narration, and we see what is happening through Evelyn’s eyes.
September 25, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book, which has a gothic feel to it.
The book is about two sisters who literally live in their own wee world. Their days are spent tending to the garden created by their mother after a natural disaster of some sort as well as looking after their bees. The sisters live in one room only of the stately home that was their childhood home.
The sisters live happily (or not?) until a boy appears one day. We do not know who he is or where he has come from. That’s up to the reader to decide with the information provided.
The story moves back and forth between the sisters’ present day and their childhood to provide a little information to the reader about what happened and why the sisters live as they do. A lot of the blanks have to be filled in by the reader, which I enjoyed.
History then repeats itself. What will happen, and will there be a happy ending? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
A very enjoyable read. If you enjoyed ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson, I think that you would enjoy this book.
I have given the book 4/5 stars rather than 5/5* as there were a few points made in the book that I would have liked expanded on and the ending of the book seemed a bit rushed. I highly recommend reading this book, though. A very enjoyable read.
I received an advance copy of this e-book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book is about two sisters who literally live in their own wee world. Their days are spent tending to the garden created by their mother after a natural disaster of some sort as well as looking after their bees. The sisters live in one room only of the stately home that was their childhood home.
The sisters live happily (or not?) until a boy appears one day. We do not know who he is or where he has come from. That’s up to the reader to decide with the information provided.
The story moves back and forth between the sisters’ present day and their childhood to provide a little information to the reader about what happened and why the sisters live as they do. A lot of the blanks have to be filled in by the reader, which I enjoyed.
History then repeats itself. What will happen, and will there be a happy ending? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
A very enjoyable read. If you enjoyed ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson, I think that you would enjoy this book.
I have given the book 4/5 stars rather than 5/5* as there were a few points made in the book that I would have liked expanded on and the ending of the book seemed a bit rushed. I highly recommend reading this book, though. A very enjoyable read.
I received an advance copy of this e-book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2024
"The Garden" by Nick Newman is an absolute masterpiece! I wish I could give this book more than five stars!
The two main protagonists are Evelyn and Lily, two elderly sisters living alone and secluded in a walled garden their parents left to them many years ago. They’ve survived an apocalyptic sandstorm before that they believe has ended the world, and they must adhere to their mother’s detailed almanac for survival.
There are so many secrets in the garden, so many dangers in the outside world, and even more within their boarded-up childhood home, which they haven’t entered since they were very young. Life changes dramatically for the sisters, and secrets and jealous tendencies are exposed when a young boy is suddenly found on their property and mentions another world out there beyond the wall.
The characters are so well-developed that I felt like I knew them personally and could understand their behaviors and choices. The plot is gripping and full of unexpected twists that keep the pages turning. I also enjoyed the tiny hints dropped here and there that provided insight to the time period of the story.
Newman's writing style and world-building are poetic and evocative, yet also eerie and suspenseful. It made the pages come alive in my mind while keeping me on my toes and, at times, feeling a little tense. The descriptions of the gardens, flowers, and bees were an enchanting contrast. **(A map of the grounds and the house would be an excellent addition to the book!) The emotional depth of the story is profound, and I found myself deeply moved by the characters' journeys throughout the story.
Thank you, #NetGalley, #NickNewman, and #PenguinGroupPutnam, for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #TheGarden #AdultDystopian
The two main protagonists are Evelyn and Lily, two elderly sisters living alone and secluded in a walled garden their parents left to them many years ago. They’ve survived an apocalyptic sandstorm before that they believe has ended the world, and they must adhere to their mother’s detailed almanac for survival.
There are so many secrets in the garden, so many dangers in the outside world, and even more within their boarded-up childhood home, which they haven’t entered since they were very young. Life changes dramatically for the sisters, and secrets and jealous tendencies are exposed when a young boy is suddenly found on their property and mentions another world out there beyond the wall.
The characters are so well-developed that I felt like I knew them personally and could understand their behaviors and choices. The plot is gripping and full of unexpected twists that keep the pages turning. I also enjoyed the tiny hints dropped here and there that provided insight to the time period of the story.
Newman's writing style and world-building are poetic and evocative, yet also eerie and suspenseful. It made the pages come alive in my mind while keeping me on my toes and, at times, feeling a little tense. The descriptions of the gardens, flowers, and bees were an enchanting contrast. **(A map of the grounds and the house would be an excellent addition to the book!) The emotional depth of the story is profound, and I found myself deeply moved by the characters' journeys throughout the story.
Thank you, #NetGalley, #NickNewman, and #PenguinGroupPutnam, for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #TheGarden #AdultDystopian
September 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
This read like a post-apocalyptic Grey Gardens and I really like that vibe. The characters were all frustrating in their own ways, but you could see where they were all coming from.
I did find the end a tiny bit confusing but I think the last chapter is meant to show that time has passed?
Overall, it was a pretty good book
This read like a post-apocalyptic Grey Gardens and I really like that vibe. The characters were all frustrating in their own ways, but you could see where they were all coming from.
I did find the end a tiny bit confusing but I think the last chapter is meant to show that time has passed?
Overall, it was a pretty good book
September 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
We follow a pair of aging sisters who've managed to survive an apocalyptic event by tending to their garden and beehives. Evelyn and Lily's lives consist of their titular garden, each other, and their mother's handwritten almanac. Convinced they're the only people left in the world, they're thrown for a loop when a young boy suddenly appears on the grounds and turns their understanding of reality on its head.
If they're not the only survivors left, then what else have they believed that's false? How will they cope with changes to their almost life-long routines? Just what exists outside their garden walls? Perhaps, most terrifying of all, were the sudden influx of long-forgotten and suppressed memories.
The comparison to Piranesi was incredibly apt, in both style and the haunting ache of loneliness oozing from the pages. At times quite odd, the lyrical prose and forays into whimsical descriptions won't be for everyone, yet I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this story. Whereas Piranesi delighted in the unknown, the sisters were filled with dread... and eventually in Lily's case excitement.
It may be jarring for some readers to follow women in their 50s still following their mother's commands to the letter without asking why such acts were necessary. Additionally, the boy was never named on page, so if that sort of thing will bother you fair warning. This story takes a look at what would happen when you vaguely recall the outside world while not being able to see it for about 40 years.
Whereas in other horror stories we tend to shout out 'don't go through the door' or 'stop', here the hope was that the sisters would be brave enough to widen their horizons. A stifling, and at times slow, tale nothing felt all that unbelievable. Of course Lily was curious of the unknown but frightened to act, while her big sister Evelyn clung to past patterns with an iron fist... both lived through the tentative end of the world at the age of12.
We follow a pair of aging sisters who've managed to survive an apocalyptic event by tending to their garden and beehives. Evelyn and Lily's lives consist of their titular garden, each other, and their mother's handwritten almanac. Convinced they're the only people left in the world, they're thrown for a loop when a young boy suddenly appears on the grounds and turns their understanding of reality on its head.
If they're not the only survivors left, then what else have they believed that's false? How will they cope with changes to their almost life-long routines? Just what exists outside their garden walls? Perhaps, most terrifying of all, were the sudden influx of long-forgotten and suppressed memories.
The comparison to Piranesi was incredibly apt, in both style and the haunting ache of loneliness oozing from the pages. At times quite odd, the lyrical prose and forays into whimsical descriptions won't be for everyone, yet I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this story. Whereas Piranesi delighted in the unknown, the sisters were filled with dread... and eventually in Lily's case excitement.
It may be jarring for some readers to follow women in their 50s still following their mother's commands to the letter without asking why such acts were necessary. Additionally, the boy was never named on page, so if that sort of thing will bother you fair warning. This story takes a look at what would happen when you vaguely recall the outside world while not being able to see it for about 40 years.
Whereas in other horror stories we tend to shout out 'don't go through the door' or 'stop', here the hope was that the sisters would be brave enough to widen their horizons. A stifling, and at times slow, tale nothing felt all that unbelievable. Of course Lily was curious of the unknown but frightened to act, while her big sister Evelyn clung to past patterns with an iron fist... both lived through the tentative end of the world at the age of12.
November 17, 2024
"The Garden" by Nick Newman invites us into a captivating yet enigmatic world, where two elderly sisters, Evelyn and Lily, live in an isolated garden that is both their refuge and prison. Set in an ambiguous time and place, the novel explores themes of grief, memory, and the intricacies of human relationships.
The sisters' daily lives revolve around tending to their secluded home, following the instructions left by their mother in an almanac. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when they discover a mysterious boy hiding in the boarded-up house at the heart of their garden. This revelation raises numerous questions and forces Evelyn and Lily to confront unsettling truths about themselves, their sanctuary, and the world beyond.
As suspicions grow and allegiances shift, memories resurface, intertwining past and present in a complex narrative. The enigmatic boy serves as a catalyst, propelling the sisters on a journey of self-discovery and unearthing long-buried secrets.
Newman's lyrical prose creates an atmosphere rich with emotion, immersing readers in the haunting beauty of the garden. His vivid descriptions evoke a sense of place that is both enchanting and eerie, reflecting the turbulent emotions of the characters. While the slow pacing may not appeal to all readers, it allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' psyches and the themes at play.
The ambiance of the novel oscillates between tranquility and unease, with lush imagery contrasting the pervasive sorrow that underlies the story. Emotions run high as the characters confront their pasts, and moments of tenderness are often tinged with sadness, painting a nuanced portrait of the human experience.
This novel evokes the same haunting atmosphere as Grey Gardens, with a post-apocalyptic twist that adds an extra layer of intrigue.
The sisters' daily lives revolve around tending to their secluded home, following the instructions left by their mother in an almanac. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when they discover a mysterious boy hiding in the boarded-up house at the heart of their garden. This revelation raises numerous questions and forces Evelyn and Lily to confront unsettling truths about themselves, their sanctuary, and the world beyond.
As suspicions grow and allegiances shift, memories resurface, intertwining past and present in a complex narrative. The enigmatic boy serves as a catalyst, propelling the sisters on a journey of self-discovery and unearthing long-buried secrets.
Newman's lyrical prose creates an atmosphere rich with emotion, immersing readers in the haunting beauty of the garden. His vivid descriptions evoke a sense of place that is both enchanting and eerie, reflecting the turbulent emotions of the characters. While the slow pacing may not appeal to all readers, it allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' psyches and the themes at play.
The ambiance of the novel oscillates between tranquility and unease, with lush imagery contrasting the pervasive sorrow that underlies the story. Emotions run high as the characters confront their pasts, and moments of tenderness are often tinged with sadness, painting a nuanced portrait of the human experience.
This novel evokes the same haunting atmosphere as Grey Gardens, with a post-apocalyptic twist that adds an extra layer of intrigue.
November 21, 2024
I’m not really sure how I would classify this. It a rather disturbing adult fairytale, a bit gothic, a bit horror and very dark. It’s a relatively short book which tells the story of sisters Evelyn and Lily who live alone in the family home, in the kitchen, with the rest of the house closed up and a walled garden keeping everyone out - or maybe them in! Told throughout in Evelyn’s POV this is a slow paced but completely compelling book about relationships and the complex human psyche.
Briefly, the sisters have no contact with the outside world. They grow their own fruit and vegetables, keep bees and chickens and spend their days tending these and their garden as their mother taught them to do. They are both elderly and both very different in personality, Evelyn is the serious one whereas Lily is more flighty and prone to breaking the rules imposed on them by their mother. But their lives are changed when an unnamed boy comes into their lives.
I can’t even begin to imagine how the terrible isolation must have affected the two women, they are now elderly so it must be around 60 years where they have had no conversation or interaction outside their own little world. Although it seemed like a bit of a cozy tale at first there was always a hint of menace in the background. Two amazing characters but whilst Evelyn was a martyr to her, or rather her mother’s, beliefs Lily’s free spirit railed against their lives once her curiosity was allowed free rein. A haunting piece of literary fiction, that won’t be for everyone, but which left me with a feeling of immense sadness for the sisters.
4.5⭐️
Briefly, the sisters have no contact with the outside world. They grow their own fruit and vegetables, keep bees and chickens and spend their days tending these and their garden as their mother taught them to do. They are both elderly and both very different in personality, Evelyn is the serious one whereas Lily is more flighty and prone to breaking the rules imposed on them by their mother. But their lives are changed when an unnamed boy comes into their lives.
I can’t even begin to imagine how the terrible isolation must have affected the two women, they are now elderly so it must be around 60 years where they have had no conversation or interaction outside their own little world. Although it seemed like a bit of a cozy tale at first there was always a hint of menace in the background. Two amazing characters but whilst Evelyn was a martyr to her, or rather her mother’s, beliefs Lily’s free spirit railed against their lives once her curiosity was allowed free rein. A haunting piece of literary fiction, that won’t be for everyone, but which left me with a feeling of immense sadness for the sisters.
4.5⭐️
November 22, 2024
🌿The story: In a place and time unknown, two elderly sisters live in a walled garden, secluded from the outside world. For as long as they can remember, Evelyn and Lily have only had each other. What was before the garden, they have forgotten; what lies beyond it, they do not know. Each day is spent in languid service to their home: tending the bees, planting the crops, and dutifully following the instructions of the almanac written by their mother. So, when a nameless boy is found hiding in the boarded house at the centre of this new Eden, the reality of their existence is irrevocably shattered. Who is he? And where did he come from?
🐝My thoughts: There was something very mysterious about this book, it had a very eerie, dark feel to it. Completely different to anything I’ve read before. It reminded me of The Secret Garden, just the descriptions of the garden and nature and how it was kept from the outside world. It completely captured everything I love about my own garden. I learnt a lot about gardening in this book too. I loved the short chapters, I honestly couldn’t put it down. It left me curious and filling in the gaps myself, I wanted more somehow, I had questions that needed to be answered. It was all a bit of a mystery. I loved Lily and Evelyn and throughout I felt concerned for them. I loved reading snippets in to their past in hope for more answers. It was beautifully written and I felt pretty sad at the end, the whole story was dark and tragic and I don’t think I was ready for it to be over, I really wanted more. I can see this book being a great book club read, there’s a lot to unpack. I really did love it and this book was my first proof so it was pretty special.
The Garden will be available to order on 30th January 2025, go grab it🫶🏻.
🐝My thoughts: There was something very mysterious about this book, it had a very eerie, dark feel to it. Completely different to anything I’ve read before. It reminded me of The Secret Garden, just the descriptions of the garden and nature and how it was kept from the outside world. It completely captured everything I love about my own garden. I learnt a lot about gardening in this book too. I loved the short chapters, I honestly couldn’t put it down. It left me curious and filling in the gaps myself, I wanted more somehow, I had questions that needed to be answered. It was all a bit of a mystery. I loved Lily and Evelyn and throughout I felt concerned for them. I loved reading snippets in to their past in hope for more answers. It was beautifully written and I felt pretty sad at the end, the whole story was dark and tragic and I don’t think I was ready for it to be over, I really wanted more. I can see this book being a great book club read, there’s a lot to unpack. I really did love it and this book was my first proof so it was pretty special.
The Garden will be available to order on 30th January 2025, go grab it🫶🏻.
October 22, 2024
The Garden is story of two elderly sisters living in their dilapidated garden in the throes of the apocalypse. The simple lives and reality they once knew are obliterated by the mysterious arrival of a boy.
I enjoyed the snippets we're given of the "apocalypse" and how the world got there. The perception of this event from the eyes of a child (in a flashback) gives uncertainty to the narrative, so the reader is never quite sure what is truth and what is biased childhood illusion. The story, the writing itself, the sisterly bond between Evelyn and Lily, is all done very beautifully. Newman is fantastic at creating a stifling and melancholic atmosphere.
The sisters, Evelyn especially, are very well defined characters. Relatably real. So much so that, while I had a feeling I knew where things were inevitably headed, it still bruised the heart when I finally made there. The sisters' loneliness was absolutely palpable and suffocating. I would have liked to maybe learn a little more about the boy, but it was also fascinating how mysterious he was‐‐that he was more a concept or symbol than an actual person.
Pacing is somewhat slow, but I think it works for the story here. The ending seems to conclude very suddenly, but somehow managed to be devastating in too many ways.
I've seen another commenter mention a map of the house and gardens, and I definitely agree.
Thank you to NetGally and Putnam Books for thus arc in exchange fir an honest review.
I enjoyed the snippets we're given of the "apocalypse" and how the world got there. The perception of this event from the eyes of a child (in a flashback) gives uncertainty to the narrative, so the reader is never quite sure what is truth and what is biased childhood illusion. The story, the writing itself, the sisterly bond between Evelyn and Lily, is all done very beautifully. Newman is fantastic at creating a stifling and melancholic atmosphere.
The sisters, Evelyn especially, are very well defined characters. Relatably real. So much so that, while I had a feeling I knew where things were inevitably headed, it still bruised the heart when I finally made there. The sisters' loneliness was absolutely palpable and suffocating. I would have liked to maybe learn a little more about the boy, but it was also fascinating how mysterious he was‐‐that he was more a concept or symbol than an actual person.
Pacing is somewhat slow, but I think it works for the story here. The ending seems to conclude very suddenly, but somehow managed to be devastating in too many ways.
I've seen another commenter mention a map of the house and gardens, and I definitely agree.
Thank you to NetGally and Putnam Books for thus arc in exchange fir an honest review.
November 15, 2024
In a “Snowglobe” of a garden, secluded and well hidden lay fruitful lands, cautiously cultivated and curated by elderly but not frail sisters, Evelyn and Lily. As far as they know, they are what remains of humanity. With unknown time passing by, with only each other as company and no means nor will to know what is beyond their garden walls, the two pass their time busy tending to their chores and their beloved garden, careful to stick to and abide by Momma’s rules. One day, things don't seem to be as they were last left, and now it seems that they are not just a pair of sisters, but an unknown guest has arrived. With that, a crack to their small world, and possibly their relationship.
Things I loved about this story
-The slow world building
-The relationship with the sisters
-The way that we go back and forth to now and then
-The mystery of what happened, the mystery of what's currently happening
Just so much intrigue, thrill, and a great story that I couldn't put down.
I want to thank NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Nick Newman for the opportunity to read this e-book ARC.
Things I loved about this story
-The slow world building
-The relationship with the sisters
-The way that we go back and forth to now and then
-The mystery of what happened, the mystery of what's currently happening
Just so much intrigue, thrill, and a great story that I couldn't put down.
I want to thank NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Nick Newman for the opportunity to read this e-book ARC.
September 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I found it very hard to stop reading and found time getting away from me! I haven't read anything like it before and I was hooked all the way through.
It's an unsettling story which follows two elderly sisters who live together, shut off from the outside world. They have been content with their quiet lives tending to the garden of the large house they live in, keeping bees and growing food. But things slowly start to change, and the outside world starts to creep in. The sisters have to face up to the fact that things are changing and seem to be falling apart.
The chapters go back and forth between the sisters as elderly women and their lives as children, which helps to give more background.
There is a creepy, Gothic feeling to the story which I really enjoyed. It kept me guessing all the way through as well and I'm glad I had the chance to read it. I would definitely read more by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
It's an unsettling story which follows two elderly sisters who live together, shut off from the outside world. They have been content with their quiet lives tending to the garden of the large house they live in, keeping bees and growing food. But things slowly start to change, and the outside world starts to creep in. The sisters have to face up to the fact that things are changing and seem to be falling apart.
The chapters go back and forth between the sisters as elderly women and their lives as children, which helps to give more background.
There is a creepy, Gothic feeling to the story which I really enjoyed. It kept me guessing all the way through as well and I'm glad I had the chance to read it. I would definitely read more by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
October 8, 2024
This was a fantastic read. A atmospheric, somewhat eerie novel set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by some kind of ecological disaster (what a surprise!). There is a sinister, suffocating feel about the setting—as if two elderly sisters sequestered for decades in the kitchen of a mansion that has been boarded up is not suffocating enough. Even though they have their garden and the vast grounds to tend to, the sisters' lives are tiny. As the story progresses, we get a better sense of the tragedy that has befallen their times, even though there are no details. I have great admiration for authors who can build apocalyptic fantasty with such a narrow focus.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.
October 24, 2024
I recently finished this book and enjoyed it. This novel is haunting, following Evelyn and Lily, two sisters who live in a decaying garden in a post apocalyptic word. The arrival of a mysterious boy forces them to confront their memories and reality. This writing really captures the loneliness of the sisters, who have very contrasting approaches to life. Evelyn follows her mother's rules while Lily is more curious. This is a slow paced novel but it works well with the emotional weight of the story. I do wish there was more backstory to the mysterious boy, but that's a small complaint.
November 27, 2024
4.5 ⭐
I immediately warmed to Evelyn and Lily, two little old ladies, navigating their lives through routine, and tending the garden.
It becomes apparent very soon something I'd amiss. Why are they living just in the kitchen? What has gone on outside the walls of the garden? What's gone on withing the walls of the garden?
A little bit sinister at times, always having an edge of unease.
Hard to put down, and just not long enough in my opinion.
I immediately warmed to Evelyn and Lily, two little old ladies, navigating their lives through routine, and tending the garden.
It becomes apparent very soon something I'd amiss. Why are they living just in the kitchen? What has gone on outside the walls of the garden? What's gone on withing the walls of the garden?
A little bit sinister at times, always having an edge of unease.
Hard to put down, and just not long enough in my opinion.
November 24, 2024
Two elderly sisters maintain the walled garden of an extensive estate while the outside world remains a mystery. Something has happened "out there" that keeps them huddled and nervous. When a young man shows up unexpectedly, the two sisters must confront their pasts and figure out their futures. Part eco-dystopian, part family drama. Tense and unsettling throughout. Couldn't put it down.
October 17, 2024
For what it is
October 30, 2024
Strange, mesmerizing, beautiful ... ideal for fans of WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE.
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