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Winter Garden

Written by: Kristin Hannah
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
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Publisher's Summary

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.

©2010 by Kristin Hannah. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
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What the critics say

“It's a tearjerker, but the journey is as lovely - and haunting - as a snow filled winter's night.” --People Magazine

“This tearjerker weaves a convincing historical novel and contemporary family drama.” --Library Journal

“Readers will find it hard not to laugh a little and cry a little more as mother and daughters reach out to each other just in the nick of time.” --Publishers Weekly

What listeners say about Winter Garden

Average Customer Ratings
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Amazing book

Loved it definitely. Struggled to finish. Only book that kept me awake until 4am to finish. So beautiful and sad life story. Narrator is amazing, the best one.

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Beautiful

Wow. I loved this story so much. The heartbreak and love in it was so engaging. Narration was incredible.

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Heart-wrenchingly beautiful story beautifully told.

Kristen Hannah paints a picture of extreme love and hardship in Leningrad Russia during WWII. Kept me on the edge of my seat! The narrator did a lovely job of capturing the emotion and atmosphere of the story.

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Good, not Hannah's best

Having read Firefly Lane and Fly Away, and listened to Four Strong Winds and The Nightingale, my expectations were high. While the story was strong, it wasn't as gripping as the others, and dragged in places. Overall I would rate it a 3.5.

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Winter Garden

Well it has been along time since I became so engrossed with the story and people I cried like a baby at the heartaches in the end as well as smile at a happy conclusion.The starvation of the people of Leningrad is part of history we should never forget,,,it was truly tragic as the Holocaust and left scares on survivors for generations to come.A remarkable story teller Kristin Hannah, never stop telling about courage, sacrifice and survival as some people have trouble accepting the inconvenience of wearing a mask when they have no idea of the real hero’s of our past

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Authentic Life

For those who enjoy historical settings and can identify with deep emotions this is a story with depth of character. I enjoyed the narration. I learned some history too.

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At a loss for words for such a wonderful book!

this book is the best of the best, it is so beautifully written. the narration was absolutely stunning the descriptions so detailed it was like walking into a mirror of someone else's life. I have listened to over 250 ebooks I have to say this is the best I have ever listened to. I feel like it was a privilege to be able to hear this book from the author's perspective. Beautiful, inspiring, invoking so much reflection about ones own life. thank you!

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Great story!

Loved this story! Gripping and emotional and a shock for an ending! Worth the download!

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Goosebumps

This is a book that so many of the younger generation need to read. We have never had to experience a life like this and it’s so important to know what people have had to sacrifice. Brilliant and full of love and heart wrench. This book shows us the absolute privilege alot of us have today.

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Wow.

I really loved this story. So moving. With a 5yr old at home and the war in Ukraine currently, it felt so real and so important to witness stories like this. My family doesn’t know this type of sacrifice (or hasn’t in a few generations)… I’m glad for the reminder of how lucky I am.

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1 person found this helpful