Reviews
Great modern take on the gothic novel. A secret from the past and a creepy castle that may or may not hold the answer. This books keeps you turning the pages to see what is next.
Wonderfully written, a great story. Felt a bit dragged out and too long for me.
I loved this book! I am a huge fan of Kate Morton. I really enjoyed The House at Riverton, and I loved The Forgotten Garden even more. I love how Morton goes back and forth in time telling a story. Her characters have such depth. Her descriptions are phenomenal. I could easily picture the Sisters Blythe up in their castle. I was sad to near the end of the book because I didn't want it to end. I hope Morton comes out with another book soon.
Edie's mom has a secret past. During WWII, she stayed for a year at Milderhurst Castle with Percy, Seraphina, and Juniper Blythe. Juniper had a fiance that jilted her and she was never the same. But what did all of that have to do with Edie's mother? And what DID happen to Juniper's fiance? This is a fine gothic tale. Kate Morton is fantastic and builds quite an atomosphere. That said, this story seemed to drag for me, and didn't engage me as much as The House at Riverton did. However, the ending was satisfying, so I rate this a solid 3.5 Stars.
This is my second Morton novel. I've also read The Secret Keeper. The Distant Hours had good gothic elements, Morton sets the scene excellently. However, Morton uses a first person somewhat limited narrative to coyly reveal some character's traits and mysteries, which is all well and good, except it goes on way too long. I mean, way way way too long. For a 560 page book it was too sprawling. This could've been a tight and suspenseful 500 pager. But I did like all the secondary mysteries, some I could guess, some I didn't. And I didn't guess the big reveal at the end, which is why I gave it three stars.
Chosen on a whim in the library because lately I have been drawn to novels set in the war. This charming book is full of personality and I couldn't wait to pick it up each evening. Set over 50 years, it dips in and out of present day and when the sisters were young. The castle is enchanting and a little creepy, the perfect backdrop for this novel which is packed with joy, sadness and mystery. Definitely the best book I have read so far this year!
Kate Morton's Distant Hours had the same effect on me that her earlier novel The Forgotten Garden did. The language was beautiful and compelling, the characters were mysterious and charismatic and the plot was involving. Yet, I cannot say that I liked the book. I enjoyed reading it, and I found it difficult to put down but it was missing something vital. The romance was sweet and earnest, the jumps from 1912 to 1940 to 1992 kept my interest but still there was a missing link. The plot was lacking a climax. The last chapters reveal the fate of Juniper Blythes' lover, the origins of the dreaded Mud Man and wrap up Edith's story but it is all done so neatly, without a true resolution. The Distant Hours is the story of three sisters living in Mildehurst Castle where secrets lurk in abundance. A letter received decades after is was sent has Edie Burchill attempting to unravel her Mother's past with these three eccentric women. Distant Hours is an enchanting read, and one that can be appreciated by anyone who enjoys a sweetly written mystery.
The Distant Hours is the third published book by Kate Morton and the second that I read (actually I listened to the audiobook); my first book by Kate Morton was The Forgotten Garden. This book follows Edie Burchill, a woman working in the publishing business who was never really close to her mother. Now she delves into her mother's past when she visits an old castle. The castle is the home of the three Blythe sisters. Edie's mother once lived for a few months when she was a young girl and befriended the youngest sister, Juniper. The book alternatingly tells the story of Edie, her mother when she was a girl and the Blythe sisters. What seems quite straight-forward in the beginning turns out to be an intertwined, tragic story where everything is connected. A wonderful book and great narration by Caroline Lee.
Well it's been some time since I've been able to read, not to mention getting these reviews done. New job, new home, wedding plans. They all make for a busy person. But on with the review. I couldn't have been given a better birthday present. I held off so long on reading this book, mostly because the cover is beautiful. I know, I know. The cover is not a reason not to read or to read a book. But I didn't want to ruin the book. The book started out slow. Eddie is a publisher of Billing & Brown Book Publishers, who becomes obsessed with her mother's evacuation to the Milderhurst Castle during World War II which just happens to be the home of her favorite books author. The True History of the Mud Man written by Raymond Blythe and the newly discovered history behind her mother's behavior drives Eddie to meet the three Blythe sisters that walk the halls of Milderhurst. Percy, Saffy and Juniper having been living in the shadow of their father's book. Saffy and Percy have spent most of their lives caring after their younger sister Juniper who suffers from what they call lost time. Then we are thrown a twist to the book. What do I mean by twist? The book is thrown back to World War II to the Blythe's family's daily life and the experiences that have made them who they are today. The first is during 1949 while Percy and Saffy are waiting for Juniper to come home from a long visit in London. Saffy is in a flutter getting ready to welcome Juniper home with open arm as well as meet the mysterious Mr. Cavil who is coming to call. Percy and Saffy aren't sure who the Mr. Cavil could be or why he's coming with June. Next is a young Meredith before the wedding and two children named Daniel and Eddith. Meredith and her two siblings are sent to Kent to get away from the horrors in the middle of London during the war.
