Publisher and Publication Date: St. Martin’s Griffin. Paperback edition, 2010.
Genre: Fiction.
Pages: 436.
Source: Self-purchase.
Rating: Good.

Amazon

Summary:
Meredith and Nina are sisters. Their mother is cold, harsh and withdrawn. They grew up hearing fairy tale stories their mother told them. These stories are a mix of nostalgia and mystery for the sisters. Their beloved father was their source of parental affection and intimacy. Their father began an apple business. Later, Meredith took charge of the family business. Nina is a traveling photographer. Her job takes her to dangerous areas in the world. Meredith chose to make a life with her childhood sweetheart. Nina chose a nomadic gypsy life. The two sisters are brought together again after a significant event in the family. The fairy tale stories told by their mother will reveal a sobering reality of their heritage.

My Thoughts:
There are things I like about the book. There are things I dislike about the book.

What I like:
•World War II history through the memories of the mother.
•The mystery element of the fairy tale. Is the tale real or crafted?
•Nina’s vagabond life. Her life is polar opposite of Meredith. Not all siblings choose to dramatically do something different from the other. Each sister’s life brings a sharp contrast to the other. The lifestyles they chose had more to do with what they had and did not have as children. Their insecurities, fears; the inability to talk about hard stuff; a since of loss (something or someone); what they felt gave them a since of belonging and grounding.
•The ending has closure.

What I disliked:
•The fairy tale stories went on and on. In a since, Winter Garden is two stories with two time periods. I’m not a fan of fairy tales and this part I speed read.
•Both sisters are selfish. Both are feeding off something or someone, but not giving anything in return. This part is not significantly reconciled in the book, sort of, but not really.