Garden Of Happy Endings, The: A Novel (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I LOVED this book! However, the ending was very bittersweet for me. The author writes so beautifully, and I loved how she strung the words together and expressed the characters emotions, thoughts and feelings with human depth. This book would be great for a Book Club, particularly a religious or Catholic one. If you are very conservative or narrow-minded, this book might not be for you, however. I think it raises some good points about some controversial issues within the Church, and would make a great discussion. I felt like the author did a great job of developing the characters, and weaving together everyone's journey & story without it getting complicated. Also, she nicely strung together how some of the characters struggled with their faith, particularly Elsa the main character. She did so with humanness and heartfelt emotion that the reader can relate to. I LOVED this book! The Garden of Happy Endings is a lushly told, magical-realism infused tale of love, friendship, faith, loss of faith, hope and despair.The tale centres around Elsa, who - now in her late 30's - is a minister to a thriving, artistic congregation. Shortly after the book begins, a young teen from her congregation is murdered, and that is the third time that Elsa walks away from God. The story then follows Elsa as she is forced on sabbatical, moves back to her home town, and begins to help with a community garden.This is a gorgeous book, with evocative prose, imagery, and the magical-realism - particularly when emotions are high - is beautiful. There is the development of a relationship between people in their 30's and 40's, and is easily the best and most believable building of a mature, healthy romance I've read in recent memory.It's a smart book, dealing with grown up questions, dilemmas, characters and situations, and it was a long, sweet drink of relief to a thirsty reader.
What do You think about Garden Of Happy Endings, The: A Novel (2013)?
Very enjoyable read about losing faith and finding it again...
—virchun
If you like the Mitford books, you'll like this one too!
—Obsessivereader
