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The Red Garden (2011)

by Alice Hoffman(Favorite Author)

3.67 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0307393879 (ISBN13: 9780307393876)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Crown Publishing Group (NY)

review 1: It would be so easy for a mediocre writer to completely mess this format up, but Alice Hoffman is very skilled. Spanning over 200 years, she writes little vignettes, about a chapter a generation, from the start of a little town to the present day, from parent to children to great and even great-great grandchildren. A less skilled writer would make the reader lose interest, would make the characters bleed together, but Hoffman is so genius at creative writing that you stay engaged throughout.A few of the stories would make full books, I'm sure, and some more interesting than others, but I'm genuinely impressed at how different the characters, and their stories, were. Yes, she could have spent more time on them, and made the book longer (It was a quick read) but a pleasant b... moreook nonetheless. This is the second book of hers I've read, and I'm anxious to read more.
review 2: I am not generally a big fan of short stories. However, Alice Hoffman is an exquisite storyteller and kept me completely engaged throughout.All of the stories are very different but they all take place in the very small town of Blackwell, Massachusetts from its founding in 1750 to the present. The stories span 300 years,and although the characters are usually descendants of the earlier settlers, there is really no way to connect them from story to story - this was a little disappointing for me. One of the earliest settlers, Hallie Brady, was the main reason the town was able to continue. She planted a garden behind her home and everything planted in the garden turns red. The settlers were able to survive thanks to the things Hallie grew in the garden. The garden makes an appearance in most if not all of the tales in the book.I admit that I got involved in these stories. Each chapter offers a story in a different moment in time and then moves forward.. Everyone is interconnected and affected by the haunting and magical Blackwell - and particularly the red garden - but it is difficult to follow these connections. My one complaint is that just when I found myself caught up in a tale, it would end. You do not get to find out what happens to each individual. You only get a brief moment in time. I would highly recommend this book. Hoffman is a great storyteller. I found myself frustrated, however, from wanting more. I never wanted any of the stories to end. less

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Reviews (see all)

dmarshall

This book was so good! I might be biased because historical fiction is my favorite genre but I truly believe that this is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone, not just lovers of historical fiction. It's easy to read and doesn't get bogged down in facts that tend to turn some people off of historical fiction. It's historical only in little details such as tools used by early American settlers and daily life of the periods it covers. I found it completely intriguing to see how the town developed and changed over the decades and centuries and how the residents actions affected it years down the road. Very interesting concept that has turned me into a big fan of Alice Hoffman. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

Karen0894

300 years of growth in a small Massachusetts town, from it's unplanned beginnings to modern times, the story follows the founding family members and additions to the town's population. Some magic, some mystery, and great interweaving of generations sharing history-known and unknown. How many books have Johnny Appleseed as a guest visitor who leaves a legacy and takes a prize? And who has a garden that turns all growing things red? Interesting and fun.

Bombatty

3.5

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