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The Mermaid Garden  By  cover art

The Mermaid Garden

By: Santa Montefiore
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's summary

Ten-year-old Floriana is captivated by the magnificent Tuscan villa just outside her small village. She likes to spy into the gardens and imagine that one day she'll live there. When Dante, the son of the villa's powerful owner, invites her inside and shows her the enchanting Mermaid Garden, she knows that her destiny is there, with Dante. But as they grow up, their romance jeopardizes everything they hold most dear. Decades later and hundreds of miles away, a beautiful old country hotel on England's Devon coast has fallen on hard times, and its owner, Marina, advertises for an artist to stay the summer. The man she hires begins to transform the fortunes of the hotel, and her family, but why is he really there?

©2011 Santa Montefiore (P)2011 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"Two stories, two generations, and two beautiful European locales are neatly gift-wrapped into one sumptuous tale of love, loss, and redemption...Luxurious and romantic depictions of scenic Tuscany and the beautiful English coast." ( Publishers Weekly)
"An absorbing plot. It is to the author’s credit that she manages to prolong the puzzle until the not-so-bitter end." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"...Montefiore excels at juxtaposing the opulent with the ordinary in delicately woven tales that seamlessly traverse borders and span decades." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about The Mermaid Garden

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book was magnificent!

If you could sum up The Mermaid Garden in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful, Haunting, and Peace

What other book might you compare The Mermaid Garden to and why?

I just discovered this author about two months ago and have enjoyed all three books I've read. I think The Mermaid Garden is closer to The French Gardener rather than The Perfect Happiness. Her ability to bring the story to life, the longing of the 'star crossed' lovers, you feel their passion and inevitably their pain as so far, the characters don't end up together and I did enjoy the ending of The Mermaid Garden more even to the wrapping up of two secondary characters; I look forward to reading my next Montefiore book.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Linder's narration was absolutely amazing! It was incredible to experience the story with each character brought to life by the subtle changes in her voice. I'm not a big reader of "romance" books so I appreciate the suspense the author adds to each chapter. The story unwinds in current time (2009) and the past and it was very enjoyable when the story came together, merging the two time frames. I think it brings the character's more to life to listen to a book as opposed to reading a book and Ms. Linder had the most beautiful accent which added even more to the experience.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I always ponder this question as I always want to just sit and listen to all of my books without even a pause but I have to say since I only listen when I drive I have no trouble picking right back and I always feel like I'm getting back with 'old friends' as I pick up the story again.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story had me every second

Where does The Mermaid Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the very top of my list! Rosalyn Landor is an excellent narrator, I've listened to other books she's narrated and she's incredibly talented.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the fact that I was "in" the story the entire time. I felt the pain and cried the tears. Ms. Montefiore wove the story together and kept me wondering what the outcome would be. A book that can draw me in that much is worth rereading again and again.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If I read the book instead of listening to it, I still would have thoroughly enjoyed it and felt the same emotions but Ms. Landor has an incredible skill of defining the voice of her character. Any book that Ms. Landor narrates is a bonus.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to listen to it in one sitting, I'd push myself at night to listen just a little longer. It did take a bit of an emotional toll so would have to take some breaks.

Any additional comments?

I've already purchased two more of Ms. Montefiore's books and can't wait to start.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Hard to get through

Would you try another book from Santa Montefiore and/or Rosalyn Landor?

This was my first book by SM and it wasn't my taste in a story. I thought parts of it went beyond sad, more like depressing. RL did a fabulous job as always.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something uplifting.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything. I don't think I would have finished it otherwise.

Did The Mermaid Garden inspire you to do anything?

No

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Engrossing...

This story moved me. The author skillfully created two worlds: one in Italy in the 60's and the other in England in 2009. The scenery in both periods is lushly described and the issues that challenge the characters are not only well written, but touching and at times funny. But what I admire the most is the complexity and variety of the female characters. Each woman, not just the main character, is drawn out in a way that allows you to understand their motivation (whether you like them or not). So their beauty (or lack of it) is not the only reason you grow to care about them. This is a timeless story of love, faith and endurance.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very satisfying listen!

very enjoyable story, the narrator is perfect. listened every chance I got. aaah, happy endings! yay!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Love

I have read other Santa Montefiore books and enjoyed them. This one is no different as it is about true love, found, lost and found again.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite!

This was my first book by Santa Montefiore. The story is so intricate. I am now a big fan of this author. At the very top of my list! Rosalyn Landor is an excellent narrator,

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite.

This was a good story but not my favorite from this author. It dragged a bit and I just couldn't embrace the characters. Good narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best story thus far

I believe this one is my favorite book from this author! It’s such a beautiful story of love and loss!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An enchanting and clever love story!

I admit I had to go back at first as it switched timelines quite abruptly making sure I had the same story-but I thoroughly enjoyed how everything tied together and found myself smiling and my heart warming while listening.

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