The French Gardener

Product Information

What a thrill it is to find and fall in love with an author who has written more than one book. I cannot wait to get my hands on Santa Montefiore’s other novels. These are the kind of books that you want to give yourself as a treat: a comfy chair, a glass of wine, and a trip wherever she wants to take you because you know the journey and the people you meet will be wonderful.

The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore | Goodreads

Born in France and transplanted to the North American continent at an early age, Gaëlle has been exposed to various climates and ecosystems. She feels a deep connection to the Southwest and Santa Fe is where her roots truly took hold. The light of the French Riviera is a lifeblood. Here, in this place blessed by the gods, the earth is tended by The Gardener. On another whim last weekend, I tossed the book into my beach bag before heading out to Positano. I’m so glad I did! Using the book to shield out the too hot sun, I was easily lost in the story from the captivating prologue that sets the scene for this romantic tale in the English countryside. In the hallway I walk down every day to and from my office there is a bookshelf where people put copies of books they don’t need. There are shelves like that on every floor in the building and when visiting other departments you can sometimes find books you haven’t read and you get to take them home. It is like a free bookstore. That is how I found The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore. saulėlydis – tai tragedija, nuo kurios apima liūdesys, nes jo negali suturėti. Galbūt laikinumas ir yra grožis. Gal mūsų meilė tikresnė dėl to, kad ji be vilties. Jei kas pajėgtų suturėti saulėlydį ir nuolat gyventų nutviekstas gaisų, ar stebuklas išliktų?“

At the heart of the story are Miranda—whose blossoming from removed socialite to warm local is so subtle and real you fall in love with her the way the townspeople do—and Ava’s garden, which opens hearts and sustains generations through its enduring beauty. I did not guess the end of this story at all and relished every detail Montefiore gave me about the house and the garden and the people.

Book Review | The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore Book Review | The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore

I’m glad you asked this question! In my youth I wanted to be a singer songwriter. These are the words of a song I wrote aged 22 when a dear friend of mine was killed in a canoeing accident. It has a chorus but it wasn’t appropriate for the book. Like the phrases at the top of each chapter, these are Ava’s words from Spirit. They’re to Jean-Paul and they’re to my readers. I really do believe in the magic of love and in the magic of nature. Ava and Jean-Paul pour all their love into the garden and create something magical. Jean-Paul teaches Miranda and her children to love Nature and they flourish. Love makes ordinary things special, it’s all about perception and focus. The old cliché that love can change the world is the truest thing ever said! The only trouble with most of us is that we love conditionally. True love is unconditional. Georgia is a very exceptional, beautiful, talented woman. She embodies the best of British eccentricity in the most glorious way. Having known her as a child I went to see her while researching the book. She was a great inspiration to me and I did think of her as I created Ava. I’ve never seen anyone wear a dungarees with such style. Fortunately for her, I don’t know her well enough to base a character entirely on her, but I was inspired by her unconventional beauty, her animation, enthusiasm, joy and love. I haven’t looked for her on-line but she is a professional garden designer!It begins as Miranda and David Claybourne move into a country house with a once-beautiful garden. But reality turns out to be very different from their dream. Soon the latent unhappiness in the family begins to come to the surface, isolating each family member in a bubble of resentment and loneliness. Married couple, Miranda and David, move out of London into a beautiful country house with an idyllic garden. But reality turns out to be very different from their bucolic dream. Soon the latent unhappiness in the family begins to come to the surface, isolating each family member in a bubble of resentment and loneliness. Your books provide limitless fodder for reading group discussion. What can book club members look forward to next?