Red Garden

by Alice Hoffman

The prose was undeniably poetic—I could almost smell the scents, feel the emotions, and mourn each loss alongside the characters. The multi-generational tale of a small town was a brilliant concept, rich with depth and nostalgia. Each character was compelling—quirky yet authentic—so much so that I craved more of their stories. But, true to life, not every thread was tied neatly. People disappeared, people died, and unanswered questions lingered. Conceptually and descriptively, the novel was a triumph. As a cohesive, fully realized saga, however, it fell short.