Helpful Score: 6
First Line: Hush... Can you hear him?
Three elderly sisters live in a crumbling castle in the south of England, closely guarding their secrets, until the chance delivery of a 50-year-old letter to the mother of London book editor, Edie Burchill.
As a teenager, Edie's mother was evacuated to Milderhurst Castle during the Blitz and lived with author Raymond Blythe and his three daughters, twins Persephone and Seraphina, and Juniper. When Edie has an opportunity to read her mother's letter and to learn that her mother actually lived with the author of her favorite children's book, The True History of the Mud Man, she naturally wants to learn all she can about her mother's time there, the castle, and the Blythes. The thick, sticky spiderweb of secrets she blunders into has been in place for decades, and as they are exposed to the light of day, there will be repercussions for them all.
I loved Morton's first two books, The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden. The author's descriptive, atmospheric writing swept me away into these stories for long periods of time, and when I came up for air, I had to blink a few times to bring the world into focus. Not so with The Distant Hours.
With the exception of The True History of the Mud Man-- a children's book written by one of the characters-- which is truly creepy and stirred the hair on the back of my neck, I was never transported by the story. The book felt too much like the gothic romances by Dorothy Eden and Victoria Holt I read as a teenager.
Although Morton's characterizations are as excellent as they were in her first two books, once the cast of characters was in place, it was relatively easy for me to decipher all the secrets and know what happened at Milderhurst Castle. And... since I wasn't transported by the story, the book felt bloated and very slow-moving.
Has this put me off Kate Morton's writing? No. Besides, I really wouldn't call this a "bad" book, merely an average one. I enjoyed her first two books so much that I'll still be watching for the next.
Three elderly sisters live in a crumbling castle in the south of England, closely guarding their secrets, until the chance delivery of a 50-year-old letter to the mother of London book editor, Edie Burchill.
As a teenager, Edie's mother was evacuated to Milderhurst Castle during the Blitz and lived with author Raymond Blythe and his three daughters, twins Persephone and Seraphina, and Juniper. When Edie has an opportunity to read her mother's letter and to learn that her mother actually lived with the author of her favorite children's book, The True History of the Mud Man, she naturally wants to learn all she can about her mother's time there, the castle, and the Blythes. The thick, sticky spiderweb of secrets she blunders into has been in place for decades, and as they are exposed to the light of day, there will be repercussions for them all.
I loved Morton's first two books, The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden. The author's descriptive, atmospheric writing swept me away into these stories for long periods of time, and when I came up for air, I had to blink a few times to bring the world into focus. Not so with The Distant Hours.
With the exception of The True History of the Mud Man-- a children's book written by one of the characters-- which is truly creepy and stirred the hair on the back of my neck, I was never transported by the story. The book felt too much like the gothic romances by Dorothy Eden and Victoria Holt I read as a teenager.
Although Morton's characterizations are as excellent as they were in her first two books, once the cast of characters was in place, it was relatively easy for me to decipher all the secrets and know what happened at Milderhurst Castle. And... since I wasn't transported by the story, the book felt bloated and very slow-moving.
Has this put me off Kate Morton's writing? No. Besides, I really wouldn't call this a "bad" book, merely an average one. I enjoyed her first two books so much that I'll still be watching for the next.
Helpful Score: 5
I purchased The Distant Hours because I found myself lost in the beautiful stories Kate Morton created in "The House at Riverton" and especially "The Forgotten Garden". "The Distant Hours" is very similar to The Forgotten Garden, skipping around between time periods to tell the story of Milderhurst Castle, its people, a reclusive author and the young girl evacuated there during the blitz. While I found "The Forgotten Garden" enchanting, "The Distant Hours" felt formulaic and sluggish (especially the first third of the book). The pace of the story picked up in the last half and held my attention to a satisfying if somewhat predictable finish. If I didnt start this book with the high expectations that the authors previous books warranted, I would have rated it higher than the three stars Im giving it now.
Helpful Score: 4
So, so beautiful. I absolutely love Kate Morton's ability to tell stories. Her love of literature and books really shines through. I identified with the main character, Edith, who felt more at ease with written communication than with speaking out loud. I enjoyed her secret wish that everyone could just write letters in lieu of talking.
This book has the gothic romantic/tragedy feel of "Jane Eyre" combined with the slow lingering horror of "The Shadow of the Wind." There is the bookish publishing agent, Edith, who becomes involved with the odd, ancient spinster sisters Persephone, Seraphina and Juniper who live in the castle once owned by their father, an eccentric writer. From the start, we are told that Juniper, the youngest sister, was driven mad when her fiance runs out on her. However, things are not as they seem. As Edith unwinds the tale in modern (1990s) time, the sisters remember their past in flashbacks. And of course, there's more to the jilted lover story than we imagine.
With that said, this story is not perfect. Though Edith's character is described quite well, there is just not enough detail of the sisters to really complete the story. The family "curse" is not fully revealed until towards the end, and that late reveal doesn't quite carry the impact as expected. heredity and madness is another theme that is implied but never quite drawn out in detail; this weakens what is perhaps the most vital scene in the book. Without giving too much away, I felt the relationships between the father and each daughter should have been described in much more detail in order to really enhance the family tragedy and "curse."
However, there was so much in this book to enjoy. The first tour of the castle was absolutely wonderful, especially the description of the "veins" (secret passages between the walls) to give a sense that the castle was "alive." The doomed romances are short but sweet. And the ending made me cry. Don't skip this book!
This book has the gothic romantic/tragedy feel of "Jane Eyre" combined with the slow lingering horror of "The Shadow of the Wind." There is the bookish publishing agent, Edith, who becomes involved with the odd, ancient spinster sisters Persephone, Seraphina and Juniper who live in the castle once owned by their father, an eccentric writer. From the start, we are told that Juniper, the youngest sister, was driven mad when her fiance runs out on her. However, things are not as they seem. As Edith unwinds the tale in modern (1990s) time, the sisters remember their past in flashbacks. And of course, there's more to the jilted lover story than we imagine.
With that said, this story is not perfect. Though Edith's character is described quite well, there is just not enough detail of the sisters to really complete the story. The family "curse" is not fully revealed until towards the end, and that late reveal doesn't quite carry the impact as expected. heredity and madness is another theme that is implied but never quite drawn out in detail; this weakens what is perhaps the most vital scene in the book. Without giving too much away, I felt the relationships between the father and each daughter should have been described in much more detail in order to really enhance the family tragedy and "curse."
However, there was so much in this book to enjoy. The first tour of the castle was absolutely wonderful, especially the description of the "veins" (secret passages between the walls) to give a sense that the castle was "alive." The doomed romances are short but sweet. And the ending made me cry. Don't skip this book!
Helpful Score: 3
A somewhat gothic tale of a castle, monsters, and disturbed personalities. The story drifts between the 1990s and World War II. I have now read 3 of Kate Morton's books - House at Riverton, Forgotten Garden, and this one. I have enjoyed all three.
Helpful Score: 3
Kate Morton,Is a true storyteller.she gets you hooked.I couldn't put this down .I was living the story. If this is the type of reading you like ,she is the best. I have read all three of her books ,and they are books I am saving for my granddaughter. so I won't be swapping them. that says it all .
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book by Kate Morton after reading The Forgotten Garden. It was a very interesting story and I enjoyed it immensely. I love the way she writes and her descriptive narrative is so beautifully written. Characters are sympathetic and believable.
Helpful Score: 2
Did you ever come across a newer author and get so excited because they made you feel all their books are going to be great? The kind of author who's first few books are so wonderful, you have to force yourself to wait to read whatever else they have available? You enjoy them so much you'd consider selling your soul to get your greedy little hands on their next book? That's how I used to feel about Kate Morton. I loved the author's first two books, and expected the same quality from her third. I was sorely disappointed.
Where I didn't want The Forgotten Garden or The House at Riverton to end, I couldn't wait for this one to. When you strip everything away, the basic story is a great idea, the characters a very likeable, and the surroundings are beautifully described. But, where the hell was Morton's editor? This book was seriously bogged down with useless, rambling, unimportant thoughts and descriptions. What makes this so infuriating is even though Morton felt the need to ramble on and on about nothing, unless I missed them, there were still loose ends at the end of the book!! The book felt like Morton was trying to write a gothic story along the lines of Brontë, Shelley, or Collins. She should never do this again, because she fails. Miserably.
If this had been my first Kate Morton book, it would have been my last. I will still read her next book, but I am no longer overly excited about it
Where I didn't want The Forgotten Garden or The House at Riverton to end, I couldn't wait for this one to. When you strip everything away, the basic story is a great idea, the characters a very likeable, and the surroundings are beautifully described. But, where the hell was Morton's editor? This book was seriously bogged down with useless, rambling, unimportant thoughts and descriptions. What makes this so infuriating is even though Morton felt the need to ramble on and on about nothing, unless I missed them, there were still loose ends at the end of the book!! The book felt like Morton was trying to write a gothic story along the lines of Brontë, Shelley, or Collins. She should never do this again, because she fails. Miserably.
If this had been my first Kate Morton book, it would have been my last. I will still read her next book, but I am no longer overly excited about it
Helpful Score: 1
I loved The Forgotten Garden and couldn't wait to read this book. However, I struggled on to about page 125 of this 500 page book and gave up. Just couldn't get into it, it just dragged.
Helpful Score: 1
I do like Morton's ability to combine a Gothic flavor with a a heroine possessing fairly modern sensibilities, though they don't coexist plausibly all the time.
The prose had real flair much of the time, but I have to agree with Cathy C. about the undue length of the book (and Morton's book's generally) - that tells you I'd like to see more discipline in the writing as well as style. And the secrets ARE telegraphed a bit.
The prose had real flair much of the time, but I have to agree with Cathy C. about the undue length of the book (and Morton's book's generally) - that tells you I'd like to see more discipline in the writing as well as style. And the secrets ARE telegraphed a bit.
Helpful Score: 1
Having read "The Forgotten Hours" years ago, and really loved it, I was a little disappointed in this bbok, but it is still a worthy rad, a gothic mystery. Her characters are so interesting and the plot kept me interested as I love historical fiction.
Opening page...
The True History Of The Mud Man
Hush..Can you hear him?
The trees can. They are the first to know that he is coming.
Listen! The trees of the deep, dark woods, shivering and jittering their leaves like papery hulls of beatin silver; the sly wind, snaking through their tops, whispering that soon it will begin.
The trees know, for they are old and they have seen it all before.
Edie is an only child of respectable if dull parents who, when she was growing up, did little to nurture her natural love of words or mystery.
A haunting tale of long - buried secrets, the origins of a classic children's book, the vagaries of war, and the twists of fate that can bring people together or crush their hopes forever.
Gothic fiction, spinning an intricate web of mystery and suspense that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
I love finding new writers and ones that are not from the States. Love all of her books and have them in my personal library.
The True History Of The Mud Man
Hush..Can you hear him?
The trees can. They are the first to know that he is coming.
Listen! The trees of the deep, dark woods, shivering and jittering their leaves like papery hulls of beatin silver; the sly wind, snaking through their tops, whispering that soon it will begin.
The trees know, for they are old and they have seen it all before.
Edie is an only child of respectable if dull parents who, when she was growing up, did little to nurture her natural love of words or mystery.
A haunting tale of long - buried secrets, the origins of a classic children's book, the vagaries of war, and the twists of fate that can bring people together or crush their hopes forever.
Gothic fiction, spinning an intricate web of mystery and suspense that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
I love finding new writers and ones that are not from the States. Love all of her books and have them in my personal library.
Have to admit it took quite a while to get involved. Almost quit quite a few times. I would rate the first half of the book a 2 - so slow - the first 200 pages could have be edited down to 100 pages, much too wordy. Too many rambling descriptions that were unnecessary and bogged the story down. Was disappointed because I had read "The Forgotten Garden" and enjoyed it from the beginning so was looking forward to reading this. I persevered because I liked the basic plot and characters.
The second half of the book I would rate a 4. Once more of the actual story was being told and I got involved I enjoyed the book. But still disappointed in the end, felt like there were still loose ends.
The second half of the book I would rate a 4. Once more of the actual story was being told and I got involved I enjoyed the book. But still disappointed in the end, felt like there were still loose ends.
This is the first novel I have read by Kate Morton. I really enjoyed the book and I liked the fact that it kept me guessing, trying to figure out what happened to the characters, until the end of the book. Needless to say I was surprised. I will definitely be looking for her other books to read!
Second book by Kate Morton, that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed!
I got absolutely hooked on Kate Morton after I read House at Riverton. She is one of those writers that you can't wait to read her next book. I love the way she switches between the past and present, giving you insight into each event. The Distant Hours is no different, Edie is a young editor who stumbles upon Milderhurst Castle, once home of Raymond Blythe, the man who wrote the book that made her passionate about reading. Unbeknownst to her though, she has her own bit of history wrapped up in the decaying walls that is home to the curious Blythe sisters, Raymond's three daughters. Edie begins to unravel the truth behind the walls, opening secrets not only from her family's past, but the tragic stories from World War II that have kept the Blythe sisters from moving on.
It is slow to start, but the ending is something you would not want to miss! A great summer read
It is slow to start, but the ending is something you would not want to miss! A great summer read
Great read, I will be reading more of Kate Morton.
My friend passed this across the table and promised a trio of spinsters, a creaky castle and long hidden family secrets. I probably should not have taken the book, seeing as it's roughly a million pages long and I read at a slugs pace, but I was sold anyway because I'm nosey and books with dark secrets cannot be turned away.
This book kept luring me in with tantalizing lead ins to secrets.
But then it delivered nothing but a whole lot of empty promises until about page 4 million and 80. Then the twists and turns come fast and furiously but for me it was a little too little and all far too late.
From here on out, I will never ignore my instincts to DNF.
So on to the good. For those with more patience for slow moving books than I, this story is very atmospheric and I have to admit that there was something about it that kept me reading. It starts off with a letter that leads a woman to delve into the past of her mom and her relationship to three sisters who live in a castle. She's nosey like me. I liked her. There's a smidge of romance and the promise of dastardly deeds and perhaps a murder. There were many points where I zombie read and had to flip back a few pages but it always managed to re-hook me. The characters are also a quirky bunch and I liked that.
So, I'd say this is a good choice for a gloomy rainy day (week, month?) if you like mysterious books where the castle is more of a character than many of the living, breathing characters within. But you must have endless patience and I clearly do not.
This book kept luring me in with tantalizing lead ins to secrets.
But then it delivered nothing but a whole lot of empty promises until about page 4 million and 80. Then the twists and turns come fast and furiously but for me it was a little too little and all far too late.
From here on out, I will never ignore my instincts to DNF.
So on to the good. For those with more patience for slow moving books than I, this story is very atmospheric and I have to admit that there was something about it that kept me reading. It starts off with a letter that leads a woman to delve into the past of her mom and her relationship to three sisters who live in a castle. She's nosey like me. I liked her. There's a smidge of romance and the promise of dastardly deeds and perhaps a murder. There were many points where I zombie read and had to flip back a few pages but it always managed to re-hook me. The characters are also a quirky bunch and I liked that.
So, I'd say this is a good choice for a gloomy rainy day (week, month?) if you like mysterious books where the castle is more of a character than many of the living, breathing characters within. But you must have endless patience and I clearly do not.
I found it to be a tedious read. Hard to get into and stay into. Slow moving. Obvious foreshadowing. Finally gave up, skimmed through and read bits and pieces to find the ending somewhat interesting.
Having read several of Kate Morton's books, I must say this is not my favorite. It's a good story set in England/London during WWII and present day flashing back and forth. The Blythe sisters live in their family's castle and all three in their old age welcome a young publisher in to write a preface for a republication of their father's work. But Edie uncovers secrets that have long been buried and discover some secrets of her mother's as well.
I thought I would like this much more than I did. It wasn't as good as The Forgotten Garden, which I loved. The writing is good, but it sags and drags the reader with slow revelations, that it gets boring having to wait so long for a tidbit of excitement. It wasn't a book that I wanted to devote endless hours to reading, hence the distant hours it took to get to the conclusion.
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea. And there is tea drinking by the way.
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea. And there is tea drinking by the way.
My first introduction to Kate Morton's writing was The House at Riverton. A Gothic tale, told within multiple timelines, and secrets galore, The Distant Hours is no different in that respect.
However, I should start this post by asking you a question: When you were a kid, what was the story that grabbed you? Held you speechless as you turned each page and introduced you to the world of imagination and possibility?
I can think of a few titles that capture this feeling for me, but for Edie in The Distant Hours, there will only ever be one. It is a celebrated classic, one that is a horror story of monumental proportions, but is simultaneously literary. The Mud Man, by Richard Blythe, a tale of horror, intrigue, and disturbing events that shake a young mind to their bones - this is the story that made Edie fall in love with books.
As an adult, she now works in the publishing industry and has a somewhat strained relationship with her parents in which not much is shared about their young lives. Disjointed this may be, Edie is aware that when her mother was a child, she was one of the many evacuees in England during World War II, and was the only one safely stationed at Milderhurst Castle. Already a Gothic and mysterious home it is even more so filled with secrets since this was the home of the very author of The Mud Man. Edie was always curious about her mother's relationship to this castle and the family, and while on a business trip, she decides to take a slight detour and visit the famous castle. While there, she meets the three daughters of Raymond Blythe, now much older while on a tour of the house, and is invited back much later to write the introduction for the release of a new edition of their father's famous story.
Back and forth between the 1930s and the 1990s, and told from different characters' perspectives, this is simply haunting and Gothic, through and through. Where did the story of The Mud Man truly come from? Why is the oldest sister, Percy, so gruff and cold? Why is the youngest, Juniper, still waiting for her fiancé, even though it's been over fifty years? And what really was their relationship with Edie's mother?
Once again, as with The House at Riverton, I find I'm always mesmerized with the mystery, the characters, their sadness, and their regrets. The story is creepy and detailed, and while I thought the end was a bit too nicely wrapped up for this eloquently haunting story, I was absolutely satisfied yet again with Kate Morton's work. I look forward to downloading another audiobook from her, and Caroline Lee as the narrator was extremely impressive. My first time listening to her voice, and I look forward to more.
However, I should start this post by asking you a question: When you were a kid, what was the story that grabbed you? Held you speechless as you turned each page and introduced you to the world of imagination and possibility?
I can think of a few titles that capture this feeling for me, but for Edie in The Distant Hours, there will only ever be one. It is a celebrated classic, one that is a horror story of monumental proportions, but is simultaneously literary. The Mud Man, by Richard Blythe, a tale of horror, intrigue, and disturbing events that shake a young mind to their bones - this is the story that made Edie fall in love with books.
As an adult, she now works in the publishing industry and has a somewhat strained relationship with her parents in which not much is shared about their young lives. Disjointed this may be, Edie is aware that when her mother was a child, she was one of the many evacuees in England during World War II, and was the only one safely stationed at Milderhurst Castle. Already a Gothic and mysterious home it is even more so filled with secrets since this was the home of the very author of The Mud Man. Edie was always curious about her mother's relationship to this castle and the family, and while on a business trip, she decides to take a slight detour and visit the famous castle. While there, she meets the three daughters of Raymond Blythe, now much older while on a tour of the house, and is invited back much later to write the introduction for the release of a new edition of their father's famous story.
Back and forth between the 1930s and the 1990s, and told from different characters' perspectives, this is simply haunting and Gothic, through and through. Where did the story of The Mud Man truly come from? Why is the oldest sister, Percy, so gruff and cold? Why is the youngest, Juniper, still waiting for her fiancé, even though it's been over fifty years? And what really was their relationship with Edie's mother?
Once again, as with The House at Riverton, I find I'm always mesmerized with the mystery, the characters, their sadness, and their regrets. The story is creepy and detailed, and while I thought the end was a bit too nicely wrapped up for this eloquently haunting story, I was absolutely satisfied yet again with Kate Morton's work. I look forward to downloading another audiobook from her, and Caroline Lee as the narrator was extremely impressive. My first time listening to her voice, and I look forward to more.
Love, love, LOVE Kate Morton's descriptive phrases! Her way with words is refreshing. Love the way she slowly feeds you clues, until you are itching to find out what is next. However, in this book nearly every single character smokes either cigarettes or a pipe, and not just once in awhile, but constantly. Somehow I don't feel that was at all necessary to the story, even if it was staged during WWII when smoking was common. The book was published in 2010, and even her modern characters smoke heavily. It became a distraction from the plot to me, a former smoker. I wish she'd left those scenes out totally! D.
It took about 200 pages before I was engrossed but from then to the end---it was enchanting.
A good book but not as good as her other books. Too long a lot of details could have been left out and jusgt had the storyline.
This is a story of Milderhurst Castle and the family that lives within the stone walls.
I read and liked Kate Morton's books: The Forgotten Garden, The Secret Keeper and The House at Riverton. I was disappointed in this book. I found it hard to get into and by page 250 I wanted to stop reading but I figured I must push on. It was not until I hit the 400's did I want to keep reading. It would have been nice if she included the story of the Mud Man and not just a prologue. The book keeps referring to it. This book is over 500 pages, she could have included a 250 page book of the Mud Man and it would have taken nothing away from the story. The book had too much filler.
I read and liked Kate Morton's books: The Forgotten Garden, The Secret Keeper and The House at Riverton. I was disappointed in this book. I found it hard to get into and by page 250 I wanted to stop reading but I figured I must push on. It was not until I hit the 400's did I want to keep reading. It would have been nice if she included the story of the Mud Man and not just a prologue. The book keeps referring to it. This book is over 500 pages, she could have included a 250 page book of the Mud Man and it would have taken nothing away from the story. The book had too much filler.
Great book! Interesting characters and plot twist!
A lot of "filler" but still a good story and characters well developed.
