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Comments (20)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Vancouver Public Library.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 20 of 20 items
May 05, 2023
"This luminous book of linked short stories brings the perfect blend of historical fiction, magic, and finely wrought characters" - Hannah
May 01, 2023
A strong sense of place and Alice Hoffman's signature style of mystical magical realism make this book a great choice for any reader. Hoffman's prose moves smoothly and often shifts in a way that is subtle yet gracefully powerful.
Apr 02, 2022genepy rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The audio version is terrible and probably affected my rating being an Alice Hoffman 's faithful reader . Pick the book if you decide to read it!
Nov 07, 2021
Choice for a December read
Feb 06, 2018
For 200 years, Blackwell, Massachusetts has had a mysterious garden where only red flowers grow.
Jun 20, 2016scoe rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Very fast read. I loved it, but have yet to read an Alice Hoffman title that I didn't like. I loved how the short stories wove all together and told a story. Great read.
Feb 15, 2016
Liked the main characters and the way the characters linked together through the telling of the history of the little town. A collection of short stories but linked together by the location and the stories of the founding families.
Jun 06, 2015sparker1119 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
How she fit a whole towns worth of information into this 270 page novel I have no clue. Upon finishing this book, though, I felt like I knew it from beginning 1700's to present day (1980's-90's?). Which is a lot of information. The stories…
dollfacecrafter
Oct 11, 2013dollfacecrafter rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
this is classic Alice Hoffman, magical and wonderful stories! this was a very fast read, hard to put down. loved it.
Aug 01, 2012BarbaraA rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A beautifully written book that spans centuries. The story of a town, and the extremely varied people that live there, this is more a series of interconnected short stories than a traditional novel. Each story is engrossing and poetic.
Mar 15, 2012Boosterl16 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I felt a lack of closure in the ending - perhaps because I never wanted it to end. Fantastically written, the stories of all families in town are well interwoven.
Jan 30, 2012
For Jean
Jan 26, 2012
Great Read - I couldn't put it down.
Oct 10, 2011cmwallsm rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is one of my new favourites. A portrait of a small town over a period of 300 years. The haunting stories can fill you with longing. As always with Hoffman, the writing is slightly magical and the prose is perfect.
Jul 05, 2011DanniOcean rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
reviewed in the Stratford Gazette's Shelf Life column
Jun 29, 201121221018293347 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed the format of each chapter being a different story all linked to the red garden. It was a different kind of read but quite enjoyable.
VNSSHB
Apr 16, 2011VNSSHB rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, read. Glad I picked up this book.
Mar 23, 2011Palomino rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
The stories are related by all happening to related people in the same small town. The stories are a bit dull, a bit weird, and not for everyone.
cattech
Feb 08, 2011
Didn't live up to expectations.
Jan 24, 2011
The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman chronicles the history of a Massachusetts town from pilgrim settlers through the modern day.