From the author's web site:
Sometimes when you open the door to your mother’s past, you find your own future…The Book Snobs Gathering
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, these two estranged women will find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. On his deathbed, their father extracts one last promise from the women in his life.
It begins with a story that is unlike anything the sisters have heard before—a captivating, mysterious love story that spans sixty-five years and moves from frozen, war torn Leningrad to modern-day Alaska. The vividly imagined tale brings these three women together in a way that none could have expected. Meredith and Nina will finally learn the secret of their mother’s past and uncover a truth so terrible it will shake the foundation of their family and change who they think they are.
The Book Snobs gathered at Vicki's home on Monday, August 29 to discuss Kirstin Hannah's Winter Garden.
The evening started with White Russians and wine. Dinner was Beef Stroganoff, pierogies, and apple slaw. Dessert was Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake.
The highlight of the discussion was the opportunity to talk with the author, Kristin Hannah. She called and spoke with us on the speaker phone, taking the time to answer every question.
Everyone loved this book. The fairy tale aspect was intriguing. None of us had known about the siege of Leningrad before reading this book. We discussed some of the historical details of the siege. We also talked about the relationship between the two sisters and how their characters were developed by their mother's coldness toward them.
We were particularly interested in why Kristin decided to end the book as she did. She told us that it was not her original intention, but as the story developed, she just couldn't see any other end.
Before dessert was served, we played "three things" as the characters in the book did.
The Book Snobs would like to sincerely thank Kristin Hannah for her time and graciousness in talking with us. It really made our discussion special.
