The name of the book is "Winter Garden," by Kristin Hannah. She's a new author for me, and if this book is any indication - she will become one of my favorite authors.
The book is about a family, in particular a mother and her two daughters. It's also got a little mystery thrown in. The story was great and kept my interest, but what was most intriguing for me about this book was one of the characters. The older daughter, Meredith. I kept seeing me in her throughout the book. I turned down so many corners on the pages that revealed pieces of me.
One of the quotes which captured my attention was actually about the other daughter in the book, Nina. She's a photo journalist. She knew that would be her life work when "the pictures stopped being just images and began to tell stories." I love that. That's why I scrapbook now - to tell the stories, not just display the images.
Then when the Dad passes away, the mom distraught by her grief says, "He is my home. How will I live without him?" Ahh...love. true love.
But about Meredith. "Relying on people...had never felt natural to her. The last thing she wanted was to give someone the power to hurt her." Oh, that is so me. It's why I'm a control freak and getting more so every day. I can't allow anyone the chance to have that power over me ... ever again.
And then when she's grieving the loss of her dad, and concerned that her mother has 'gone around the bend,' her husband, trying to get over, around or through the wall she's put up, asks, "Do you still love me?" She wished he'd asked her that an hour ago, or yesterday, or last week. Anytime except now, when even the ground beneath her felt unreliable. She thought his love was a bulkhead that could hold back any storm, but like everything else in her life, his love was conditional." Oh, I've been there...
So, Meredith (like me) thinks constant activity is the answer. If you just keep doing...you can't think. And so while the younger sister is trying to solve the mystery of their mom's life; Meredith is packing boxes...Nina says: "Keep boxing up her (mom's) life. I know how much you want everything to be neat and labeled. You're a barrel of laughs. Honest to God, Mere, how can your kids and Jeff stand it?" (not knowing that Jeff has left...) As long as she was moving, she could contain her grief. Her routine had become her salvation. (Sound like anyone we know?...)
The book has a good ending... the mystery of their mom's life is revealed. the relationship between the mother and her daughters is mended. Jeff returns and the relationship between he and Meredith is restored. and she finds herself. she discovers what she wants. in the end she knows what is true. what is good.
It's weird seeing yourself so clearly in a character like this. I hope my life has a good ending too. that I discover what I want. that I learn to trust.
The book is about a family, in particular a mother and her two daughters. It's also got a little mystery thrown in. The story was great and kept my interest, but what was most intriguing for me about this book was one of the characters. The older daughter, Meredith. I kept seeing me in her throughout the book. I turned down so many corners on the pages that revealed pieces of me.
One of the quotes which captured my attention was actually about the other daughter in the book, Nina. She's a photo journalist. She knew that would be her life work when "the pictures stopped being just images and began to tell stories." I love that. That's why I scrapbook now - to tell the stories, not just display the images.
Then when the Dad passes away, the mom distraught by her grief says, "He is my home. How will I live without him?" Ahh...love. true love.
But about Meredith. "Relying on people...had never felt natural to her. The last thing she wanted was to give someone the power to hurt her." Oh, that is so me. It's why I'm a control freak and getting more so every day. I can't allow anyone the chance to have that power over me ... ever again.
And then when she's grieving the loss of her dad, and concerned that her mother has 'gone around the bend,' her husband, trying to get over, around or through the wall she's put up, asks, "Do you still love me?" She wished he'd asked her that an hour ago, or yesterday, or last week. Anytime except now, when even the ground beneath her felt unreliable. She thought his love was a bulkhead that could hold back any storm, but like everything else in her life, his love was conditional." Oh, I've been there...
So, Meredith (like me) thinks constant activity is the answer. If you just keep doing...you can't think. And so while the younger sister is trying to solve the mystery of their mom's life; Meredith is packing boxes...Nina says: "Keep boxing up her (mom's) life. I know how much you want everything to be neat and labeled. You're a barrel of laughs. Honest to God, Mere, how can your kids and Jeff stand it?" (not knowing that Jeff has left...) As long as she was moving, she could contain her grief. Her routine had become her salvation. (Sound like anyone we know?...)
The book has a good ending... the mystery of their mom's life is revealed. the relationship between the mother and her daughters is mended. Jeff returns and the relationship between he and Meredith is restored. and she finds herself. she discovers what she wants. in the end she knows what is true. what is good.
It's weird seeing yourself so clearly in a character like this. I hope my life has a good ending too. that I discover what I want. that I learn to trust.
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