The Garden of Letters cover art

The Garden of Letters

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Garden of Letters

By: Alyson Richman, Alyson Richman - introduction
Narrated by: Elizabeth Sastre
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £11.34

Buy Now for £11.34

About this listen

 THE NEW NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE LOST WIFE

Set against the rich backdrop of World War II Italy, Garden of Letters captures the hope, suspense, and romance of an uncertain era, in an epic intertwining story of first love, great tragedy, and spectacular bravery.

Portofino, Italy, 1943. A young woman steps off a boat in a scenic coastal village. Although she knows how to disappear in a crowd, Elodie is too terrified to slip by the German officers while carrying her poorly forged identity papers. She is frozen until a man she’s never met before claims to know her. In desperate need of shelter, Elodie follows him back to his home on the cliffs of Portofino.

Only months before, Elodie Bertolotti was a cello prodigy in Verona, unconcerned with world events. But when Mussolini’s Fascist regime strikes her family, Elodie is drawn into the burgeoning resistance movement by Luca, a young and impassioned bookseller. As the occupation looms, she discovers that her unique musical talents, and her courage, have the power to save lives.

In Portofino, young doctor Angelo Rosselli gives the frightened and exhausted girl sanctuary. He is a man with painful secrets of his own, haunted by guilt and remorse. But Elodie’s arrival has the power to awaken a sense of hope and joy that Angelo thought was lost to him forever.

 20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance War & Military Italy War Military

Critic reviews

Advanced praise for THE GARDEN OF LETTERS
"Richman seamlessly weaves together the languages of music and love, reaching into the heart of the reader with artful portraits of heroism, sacrifice and redemption. Fans of The Lost Wife will again savor Richman's ability to tell a remarkable story about people who are unforgettable and real."— Pam Jenoff, International bestselling author

“Lyrical and rich…filled with beauty and tragedy, romance and heartbreak.”—Jillian Cantor, Author of Margot“Graceful, mellifluous... read this book.”—Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us“The Garden of Letters demonstrates artistry of the highest order. Lyrical and compelling, Alyson Richman’s novel of a cellist coming of age in wartime Italy is as layered as a symphony. Exquisite.”—Erika Robuck, author of Fallen Beauty

“A brilliant novel that will haunt me for years to come.”—Kristina McMorris, bestselling author of The Pieces We Keep

“Alyson Richman crafts a transportive novel vivid with history and fragile with hope.”—Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye

Praise for THE LOST WIFE
"A truly beautiful heartfelt story...I couldn't put it down once I started it. Ms. Richman is a very special talent."—New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah

"Staggeringly evocative, romantic, heart-rending, sensual and beautifully written, Alyson Richman's The Lost Wife may very well be the Sophie's Choice of this generation."— New York Times bestselling author John Lescroart

"Moving, unforgettable and so expertly told, you have to wonder if the author has a gift of time travel—this is storytelling at its very best."—Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author
All stars
Most relevant

What made the experience of listening to The Garden of Letters the most enjoyable?

The story of the main characters was told in separate time lines, as you follow the main character you find out what brings Elodie on her journey from her home in Verona to Portofino where she meets the one man she has to trust with her life.

What other book might you compare The Garden of Letters to, and why?

There is no book I could compare it too, as it really has a story of its own. This for me was a new look at the Second World War, I loved how Elodie's love of music was the main strength of the main story.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the whole book, mainly because of the narrator as she brought Italy to me as a listener I missed nothing of the main story. I loved how the author through her vivid and wonderful writing I was able to hear Elodie playing her cello as the descriptions were simply perfect.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Breathtaking!

Any additional comments?

This is a story which truly brought the Second World War alive though this showed Italy through the war. The cruelty of the Nazis was evident but yet the bravery of the characters was so much more.

a heart wrenching read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My expectations were high After reading reviews I expected an amazing read perhaps too much. It was well narrated but it just missed out on being a story that stands with the best of WW11 fiction Unfortunately for me I paid a premium price

Three Stars

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.