Tuesday 19 August 2014

Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen

Welcome to Bascom, North Carolina, where it seems that everyone has a story to tell about the Waverley women. The house that's been in the family for generations, the walled garden that mysteriously blooms year round, the rumours of dangerous loves and tragic passions. Every Waverley woman is somehow touched by magic.

Claire has always clung to the Waverleys' roots, tending the enchanted soil in the family garden from which she makes her sought-after delicacies - famed and feared for their curious effects. She has everything she thinks she needs - until one day she waked to find a stranger has moved in next door and a vine of ivy has crept into her garden . . .

Claire's carefully tended life is about to run gloriously out of control.

My thoughts:
I love her books, what more is there to say? The magical realism in them is just wonderful. I believe it, I want to visit and experience that magic.

In this small town we have the Waverley's who have a magical garden and apple tree. But they are not the only ones. There is the family whose men always marry older women, and the family whose women always marry well and who knows how to use sex. But none are like the Waverleys.

Claire loves her garden, she mixes flower with food and suddenly you feel happy, nostalgic etc. But she is also stuck in her ways and afraid to get close because people leave.

Sydney her sister comes back with a daughter. Sydney left because she wanted to be normal, but does she have "magic" of her own? She is running from her own problems but as this is an Allen book everyone will get what they need. 

Magical realism is just awesome. It's done so well that you do not know what to believe. No one is holding a wand, is's just life, maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's everything.

Conclusion:
A lovely story that I read slowly to savor everything.

cover
ok

Paperback, 320 pages
Published April 29th 2008 by Bantam Discovery
Magical realism / fiction
Own

51 comments:

  1. I don't think I've read anything considered magical realism, must change that!

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    1. Wow you were fast! I posted this a second ago

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  2. Oh I have this book on my kindle! I might read it this year still :)

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  3. I met her and thought she was terrific. Now I need to read one of her books.

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  4. I love love love her books. They just make me so happy. Have you read the Sugar Queen? That's my favorite without a doubt.

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    1. I have read all her old ones, but not the one that came out..this year? The year before?

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  5. Oh I've seen hers about but never tried her. I plan to eventually though :)

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  6. Magical realism is great, most of the books I've read involving it are very beautiful. Which sounds like this one is as well!

    ~Mogsy

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    1. She is great. You really should try one of her books. I am all in awe

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  7. Is there romance too? Can't quite tell from the summary.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I do not want to spoil it but yes she will fall in love

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  8. I read this a while ago. I couldn't get my head around the magic bits!

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    1. You should just not think, just let it flow

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  9. This is one of my favorite titles by her Linda :)

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  10. I have this one on my shelves, I enjoy magical realism as well. Glad you liked this one.

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  11. I loved her books too, glad this was so enjoyable for you.

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  12. I have wanted to read this author's books for the longest time and I have a couple on my Kindle. I really should move them higher on the TBR.

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    1. Do try them, and if you do I hope you will love them too

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  13. Ooh, I like that the food can affect emotions.

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  14. I still find this to be my favorite of her books, right with The Sugar Queen. I just love her writing and her characterization is so flawlessly relate-able. Wonderful review!

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    1. Thanks! I really can't say which one is my fav. I did read Sugar Queen first so that one has a special place

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  15. Magical realism?? Awesome. Have you read The Night Circus or The Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender? Magical realism + very good. ^^

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    1. I tried the Circus but god how boring! So not for me :/ Not heard of the other one

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  16. I loved this one too ... love all her books. Just read one that reminded me of her writing. Magical realism and food ... The Glass Kitchen by Linda Francis Lee. You'll love it I'm sure.

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  17. oooooo Magical realism...sounds awesome!

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  18. Oh it sounds so lovely and the magical aspect is so appealing! I'm really curious, I didn't know this one.

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    1. You really should try them, they are so fun, cute and just lovely

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  19. I've never actually read a book by this author . . . I KNOW. I do have this one though. I'll have to dig it out.

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  20. Now I only have one more to read by her...well buy it first

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  21. I'm all for magical realism! I've heard of the author, but I'm not familiar with her books. Great review!

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    1. They are just wonderful, truly wonderful

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  22. I think this was the first magical realism novel I read - it made me a fan of the genre and SAA. Love her books!

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    1. Same with me, not this being the first book but the rest

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  23. This book sounds lovely. I want!

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  24. I've just read one of her books, and it was wonderful. Must. Read. More!

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  25. I love a good magical realism story and everyone keeps telling me to read her! This sounds like a wonderful book to start with!

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