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Wildflower Hill
Wildflower Hill is s compelling and romantic novel spanning three generations and half the world, from modern day London to Australia in the 1930s.
Emma is a prima ballerina in London and at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. When she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death, and her own strange inheritance—an isolated sheep station in rural Australia—Emma is certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden. But when she returns to Australia, forced to rest her body and confront her life, she realizes that she had been using fame as a substitute for love and fulfillment.
Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.
Emma is a prima ballerina in London and at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. When she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death, and her own strange inheritance—an isolated sheep station in rural Australia—Emma is certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden. But when she returns to Australia, forced to rest her body and confront her life, she realizes that she had been using fame as a substitute for love and fulfillment.
Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.
544 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Kimberley Freeman
11 books680 followersPen name of Kim Wilkins.
Kimberley was born in London and her family moved back to Australia when she was three years old. She grew up in Queensland where she currently lives.
Kimberley has written for as long as she can remember and she is proud to write in many genres. She is an award-winning writer in children’s, historical and speculative fiction under her birth name Kim Wilkins. She adopted the pen name Kimberley Freeman for her commercial women’s fiction novels Duet and Gold Dust to honour her maternal grandmother and to try and capture the spirit of the page-turning novels she has always loved to read. Kim has an Honours degree, a Masters degree and a PhD from The University of Queensland where she is also a lecturer. She lives in Brisbane with her young family.
Kimberley was born in London and her family moved back to Australia when she was three years old. She grew up in Queensland where she currently lives.
Kimberley has written for as long as she can remember and she is proud to write in many genres. She is an award-winning writer in children’s, historical and speculative fiction under her birth name Kim Wilkins. She adopted the pen name Kimberley Freeman for her commercial women’s fiction novels Duet and Gold Dust to honour her maternal grandmother and to try and capture the spirit of the page-turning novels she has always loved to read. Kim has an Honours degree, a Masters degree and a PhD from The University of Queensland where she is also a lecturer. She lives in Brisbane with her young family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,524 reviews
March 20, 2018
Wildflower Hill is a poignant tale of two women living in different decades but whose lives are strongly intertwined. I dearly loved this book! The story of Beattie and her granddaughter Emma was completely absorbing. Beattie was a Scottish immigrant who moved to Tasmania, Australia, at the start of the Great Depression. Someone had told her once that "there are two types of women in the world...those who do things, and those who have things done to them." As a poor, unwed mother, she kept that thought in the forefront of her mind as she struggled against poverty and prejudice. Against insurmountable odds, she became the owner of a prosperous sheep farm in rural Tasmania, though it was not without great hardship and heartache.
Set in 2009, Emma's story is effortlessly woven in with Beattie's. Emma is a prima ballerina in London. Proud of her success as a dancer, she didn't realize how it had totally consumed her life until a knee injury put an end to her career. Left with no other options, she returns home to Sydney. Emma is told that she has inherited a farm in Tasmania that her grandmother ran in the 1930s. Beattie had not been there for many years and used the place for storage, so Emma decides to head south to clean out the place in order to sell it. Upon arrival Emma finds boxes and boxes full of Beattie's old possessions, including letters, photos and business records. As Emma sorts through everything, she slowly uncovers family secrets buried for decades.
I have not been moved by a book quite so much in a very long time. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, including the rich descriptions of the settings. It was easy to picture myself there too. Wildflower Hill stirred up many emotions for me - heartache, joy, anger, and frustration. Ultimately it is a very inspirational story about the power of perseverance and realizing what is truly important in life. Both Beattie and Emma were strong female characters written in a way that I felt like I was sharing their experiences with them. I loved how important parts of the story were told through old-fashioned letters. The last letter written by Beattie that Emma finds had me sobbing. The ending was bittersweet and very satisfying. I would highly recommend Wildflower Hill to fans of women's fiction. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time. ♥
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 2009, Emma's story is effortlessly woven in with Beattie's. Emma is a prima ballerina in London. Proud of her success as a dancer, she didn't realize how it had totally consumed her life until a knee injury put an end to her career. Left with no other options, she returns home to Sydney. Emma is told that she has inherited a farm in Tasmania that her grandmother ran in the 1930s. Beattie had not been there for many years and used the place for storage, so Emma decides to head south to clean out the place in order to sell it. Upon arrival Emma finds boxes and boxes full of Beattie's old possessions, including letters, photos and business records. As Emma sorts through everything, she slowly uncovers family secrets buried for decades.
I have not been moved by a book quite so much in a very long time. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, including the rich descriptions of the settings. It was easy to picture myself there too. Wildflower Hill stirred up many emotions for me - heartache, joy, anger, and frustration. Ultimately it is a very inspirational story about the power of perseverance and realizing what is truly important in life. Both Beattie and Emma were strong female characters written in a way that I felt like I was sharing their experiences with them. I loved how important parts of the story were told through old-fashioned letters. The last letter written by Beattie that Emma finds had me sobbing. The ending was bittersweet and very satisfying. I would highly recommend Wildflower Hill to fans of women's fiction. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time. ♥
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2011
Wildflower Hill is at the top of my list for favourite books of the year and I would even say I consider it one of my favourite books of all time. It was absolutely wonderful. It's the kind of the book that leaves a lasting impression. I finished it a couple weeks ago and I am still thinking about it.
I think of one of the reasons why Wildflower Hill really touched me was the rich characters especially Beattie. I fell in love with her strength and kindness. I envied how she dealt so courageously with all the difficult situations life threw her in and she never once stopped to feel sorry for herself. This woman endured SO MUCH heartache that I was literally sobbing and even thinking back and imagining myself in the situation she was in, makes me misty eyed.
This book brought out so many emotions in me and to me, that's a sign of a good book. I love books that can make me feel for the characters and be in the moment with them rather than just reading and observing. I felt anger towards Beattie's parents for abandoning her, and was furious with Beattie's "husband" and his wife. I don't want to give the story away so I want to be careful what I say.
The story goes back and forth between the present day with Emma, the ballerina and back to the 1920s and 30s to her grandmother, Beattie's time. It's perfectly woven though so you don't feel like its jumping back and forth. I think Kimberley Freeman did an amazing job intertwining the two generations and developing the family history that becomes so important to Emma in the present day.
I also really enjoyed the scenes in the Tasmanian countryside. Wildflower Hill appears to be a breathtaking location and I was taken away with all the vivid description of the countryside.
This book is a "must-read". I'm going to read it again because I loved it that much.
I think of one of the reasons why Wildflower Hill really touched me was the rich characters especially Beattie. I fell in love with her strength and kindness. I envied how she dealt so courageously with all the difficult situations life threw her in and she never once stopped to feel sorry for herself. This woman endured SO MUCH heartache that I was literally sobbing and even thinking back and imagining myself in the situation she was in, makes me misty eyed.
This book brought out so many emotions in me and to me, that's a sign of a good book. I love books that can make me feel for the characters and be in the moment with them rather than just reading and observing. I felt anger towards Beattie's parents for abandoning her, and was furious with Beattie's "husband" and his wife. I don't want to give the story away so I want to be careful what I say.
The story goes back and forth between the present day with Emma, the ballerina and back to the 1920s and 30s to her grandmother, Beattie's time. It's perfectly woven though so you don't feel like its jumping back and forth. I think Kimberley Freeman did an amazing job intertwining the two generations and developing the family history that becomes so important to Emma in the present day.
I also really enjoyed the scenes in the Tasmanian countryside. Wildflower Hill appears to be a breathtaking location and I was taken away with all the vivid description of the countryside.
This book is a "must-read". I'm going to read it again because I loved it that much.
August 12, 2014
Rating: 3.5 stars
From the blurb and reviews, I though Wildflower Hill would be a proper dual-timeline story. You know the sort: someone discovers a letter or photo relating to an elderly relative which hints at a tantalising long-lost secret. The story then takes two paths: the quest for the truth in the present and the slow revelation of it in the past, with the two stories being poignantly entwined. I love books like this.
However, this one actually reads far more like a rags-to-riches saga full of determination and heartbreak. This isn’t a bad thing, far from it; I also love sagas and quickly became engrossed in Beattie’s heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. The problem for me was that this saga kept being interrupted by a present-day story which had no bearing on the past, no place in the book. Yes, long-lost letters and photos were found, but this happened half way through, by which time the past was emotionally gripping and had no need for Emma’s present. It’s natural in a dual-timeline for the present to be the secondary story to the past, but they’re normally closely linked and have a poetic fluidity between them. I didn't feel any of that here.
Beattie’s tale of passion and sacrifice broke my heart and made me cry. If this book had been a straightforward saga it would have been as easy 4 or 4.5 stars. Emma’s tale of self-absorbed whining bored me silly, so much so that I ended up skimming her sections; 1.5 stars at best. If only the two parts had a relevance, a connection, a poignancy. Or if only it has just been Beattie’s haunting story....
From the blurb and reviews, I though Wildflower Hill would be a proper dual-timeline story. You know the sort: someone discovers a letter or photo relating to an elderly relative which hints at a tantalising long-lost secret. The story then takes two paths: the quest for the truth in the present and the slow revelation of it in the past, with the two stories being poignantly entwined. I love books like this.
However, this one actually reads far more like a rags-to-riches saga full of determination and heartbreak. This isn’t a bad thing, far from it; I also love sagas and quickly became engrossed in Beattie’s heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. The problem for me was that this saga kept being interrupted by a present-day story which had no bearing on the past, no place in the book. Yes, long-lost letters and photos were found, but this happened half way through, by which time the past was emotionally gripping and had no need for Emma’s present. It’s natural in a dual-timeline for the present to be the secondary story to the past, but they’re normally closely linked and have a poetic fluidity between them. I didn't feel any of that here.
Beattie’s tale of passion and sacrifice broke my heart and made me cry. If this book had been a straightforward saga it would have been as easy 4 or 4.5 stars. Emma’s tale of self-absorbed whining bored me silly, so much so that I ended up skimming her sections; 1.5 stars at best. If only the two parts had a relevance, a connection, a poignancy. Or if only it has just been Beattie’s haunting story....
October 13, 2016
Δυναμικές γυναίκες που τα κάνουν μπάχαλο σε αλλοτινές και όχι μόνο, εποχές. Μυστήριο, πάθη, μυστικά… Μου άρεσε πολύ.
July 17, 2017
"Υπάρχουν δύο είδη γυναικών στον κόσμο,Μπέιτι-αυτές που κάνουν πράγματα και αυτές που υπομένουν πράγματα."
Αχ...Ένα βιβλίο, το οποίο με έκανε να κλάψω,να θυμώσω,να μπω ουσιαστικά μέσα στην ιστορία και να πω "Όχι!" ή ¨Μην το κάνεις αυτό!" και άλλα τέτοια. Δεν ήμουν καθόλου σίγουρη τι βαθμολογία έπρεπε να του δώσω. 3 αστεράκια επειδή με έκανε να στεναχωρηθώ και να συγκινηθώ τόσο πολύ (είμαι και κάπως ευσυγκίνητος άνθρωπος,τρομάρα μου! :( ) ή 5 επειδή όντως είναι τόσο καλό, έτσι ώστε να σου μείνει στη μνήμη, όταν θα το ξαναδείς να πεις "Αχ, αυτό το βιβλίο πόσο με συγκίνησε!" (και εξάλλου δεν πάει πίσω και από μεριάς υπόθεσης,χαρακτήρων κλπ.).
Θέλω να πω τόσα πολλά για αυτό το βιβλίο. Φοβάμαι όμως ότι αν το κάνω θα προδώσω πολλά, οπότε θα αρκεστώ στα εξής: Οι ζωές δυο δυναμικών γυναικών που προσπάθησαν μέσα από κόπο, προσπάθεια και αρκετά λάθη να τα καταφέρουν, να εξελιχθούν και τέλος να βιώσουν την ευτυχία, σε διαφορετικές εποχές η καθεμία.
Όμως αυτό το βιβλίο δεν είναι απλώς οι ιστορίες δυο γυναικών που απλώς προσπαθούν να ζήσουν την ζωή τους και να ξεπεράσουν τα εμπόδια που εμφανίζονται στο δρόμο τους. Αναφέρονται πολλά περισσότερα πράγματα μέσα όπως κοινωνικά στερεότυπα της εποχής της Μπέιτι (που δυστυχώς αυτά καθόρισαν την ζωή της :( ) , προκαταλήψεις κλπ. ...
Αχ...Ένα βιβλίο, το οποίο με έκανε να κλάψω,να θυμώσω,να μπω ουσιαστικά μέσα στην ιστορία και να πω "Όχι!" ή ¨Μην το κάνεις αυτό!" και άλλα τέτοια. Δεν ήμουν καθόλου σίγουρη τι βαθμολογία έπρεπε να του δώσω. 3 αστεράκια επειδή με έκανε να στεναχωρηθώ και να συγκινηθώ τόσο πολύ (είμαι και κάπως ευσυγκίνητος άνθρωπος,τρομάρα μου! :( ) ή 5 επειδή όντως είναι τόσο καλό, έτσι ώστε να σου μείνει στη μνήμη, όταν θα το ξαναδείς να πεις "Αχ, αυτό το βιβλίο πόσο με συγκίνησε!" (και εξάλλου δεν πάει πίσω και από μεριάς υπόθεσης,χαρακτήρων κλπ.).
Θέλω να πω τόσα πολλά για αυτό το βιβλίο. Φοβάμαι όμως ότι αν το κάνω θα προδώσω πολλά, οπότε θα αρκεστώ στα εξής: Οι ζωές δυο δυναμικών γυναικών που προσπάθησαν μέσα από κόπο, προσπάθεια και αρκετά λάθη να τα καταφέρουν, να εξελιχθούν και τέλος να βιώσουν την ευτυχία, σε διαφορετικές εποχές η καθεμία.
Όμως αυτό το βιβλίο δεν είναι απλώς οι ιστορίες δυο γυναικών που απλώς προσπαθούν να ζήσουν την ζωή τους και να ξεπεράσουν τα εμπόδια που εμφανίζονται στο δρόμο τους. Αναφέρονται πολλά περισσότερα πράγματα μέσα όπως κοινωνικά στερεότυπα της εποχής της Μπέιτι (που δυστυχώς αυτά καθόρισαν την ζωή της :( ) , προκαταλήψεις κλπ. ...
October 12, 2016
This story wasn't as impressive as I had hoped it would be, but it was still good. It deals with family secrets which are slowly revealed to the reader as we follow two women from two different eras. Furthermore, one of them lives in Tasmania, Australia and the other one on the other side of the world, in London.
I love stories that deal with people, relationships and multiple perspectives, however this one at times became too sweet and convenient for my taste. I think that if you've read a fair amount of books like these, this one won't surprise you a bit. You see where things are going, and in the end I was cringing my toes at all the morals that were put out in the open.
I still maintain that this was a good and entertaining story; it just didn't impress me in the way I was hoping for, but I'm still glad I read it and got the story behind Beattie and Emma.
I love stories that deal with people, relationships and multiple perspectives, however this one at times became too sweet and convenient for my taste. I think that if you've read a fair amount of books like these, this one won't surprise you a bit. You see where things are going, and in the end I was cringing my toes at all the morals that were put out in the open.
I still maintain that this was a good and entertaining story; it just didn't impress me in the way I was hoping for, but I'm still glad I read it and got the story behind Beattie and Emma.
October 27, 2011
I picked up this book because it was supposed to be like a Kate Morton novel. I guess it sort of was, but not quite up to par. It had the same general plot set up as Morton's novels do: a young relative investigating/discovering family secrets alternated with the family in question's life. Even the time frame was the same: present day + world war era. Unfortunately, the similarities ended there as far as I was concerned. The historical pieces read like someone who did some research and lacked the genuineness that I've come to love with Morton's novels. There was little detail, and it just didn't manage to keep my attention. The first half of the book was significantly more bearable than the second half. Also, the book felt more like a chick lit novel than a Morton novel. Boring, predictable, and altogether generic.
June 15, 2012
I liked the story, but found it to only be so-so. The writing was really predictable and during portions of the story that could have been really griping the author just gave it away. She stunted a lot of the climax and as a result I can't say the book was great, though I was deeply interested in Beattie's character.
I thought the story of Emma was sweet and didn't mind the back and forth of generations but felt it watered down/weakened the story. I was so much more interested in Beattie that I would have rather met Emma towards the end of the story, then lacing her in between. I didn't find that she added a lot of value to the book, except when she delivered the letter, which I'm super pissed we didn't get to read the reaction!!! That was a huge component of the story that could have left you on an emotional up swing or down, either way it wouldn't leave you with the feeling of missing one of the bigger pieces.
I thought the story of Emma was sweet and didn't mind the back and forth of generations but felt it watered down/weakened the story. I was so much more interested in Beattie that I would have rather met Emma towards the end of the story, then lacing her in between. I didn't find that she added a lot of value to the book, except when she delivered the letter, which I'm super pissed we didn't get to read the reaction!!! That was a huge component of the story that could have left you on an emotional up swing or down, either way it wouldn't leave you with the feeling of missing one of the bigger pieces.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2011
This is a moving story of a woman's triumph over adversity, and the lessons she passes along to her granddaughter. Beattie Blaxland is an amazing character. When the story begins she's nineteen with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Instead she ends up pregnant and homeless--but not defeated. She's smart, compassionate, hardworking, self-sacrificing, and she stands up for what she believes in. She's not perfect, but she's tough as nails and knows an opportunity when she sees one. She does whatever it takes to provide for her daughter, tackling poverty and bigotry, and the conventions that have long held women back in small-town Australia during the depression and World War II.
In the present day, Beattie's granddaughter Emma comes home to Australia after an exalted, whirlwind career as a prima ballerina ends abruptly due to an injury. Emma and Beattie are two very different women. Beattie's early life was one of struggle and uncertainty; Emma's was one of privilege and status. But Emma has to learn how to live without dancing and without a purpose, how to make friends, how to take care of herself. She's very surprised to discover that her grandmother left her an old farm estate, Wildflower Hill in Tasmania, and she goes there intending to prepare it for sale. But the house is full of boxes of Beattie's personal belongings--letters, photos, mementos--and as Emma goes through them she begins to discover who her grandmother really was and how much Wildflower Hill meant to her. Along the way she learns a lot about her own capabilities and what's truly important in life.
I was utterly absorbed in this story from start to finish. The writing is lovely, the characterization is rich, the pacing is perfect, the narrative switches between Beattie in the past and Emma in the present in all the right places; I laughed, I cried, I got angry--and I never wanted it to end. But end it did, and it was one of the most satisfying, fitting, and perfect endings I've seen in a long time. Loved it!
In the present day, Beattie's granddaughter Emma comes home to Australia after an exalted, whirlwind career as a prima ballerina ends abruptly due to an injury. Emma and Beattie are two very different women. Beattie's early life was one of struggle and uncertainty; Emma's was one of privilege and status. But Emma has to learn how to live without dancing and without a purpose, how to make friends, how to take care of herself. She's very surprised to discover that her grandmother left her an old farm estate, Wildflower Hill in Tasmania, and she goes there intending to prepare it for sale. But the house is full of boxes of Beattie's personal belongings--letters, photos, mementos--and as Emma goes through them she begins to discover who her grandmother really was and how much Wildflower Hill meant to her. Along the way she learns a lot about her own capabilities and what's truly important in life.
I was utterly absorbed in this story from start to finish. The writing is lovely, the characterization is rich, the pacing is perfect, the narrative switches between Beattie in the past and Emma in the present in all the right places; I laughed, I cried, I got angry--and I never wanted it to end. But end it did, and it was one of the most satisfying, fitting, and perfect endings I've seen in a long time. Loved it!
December 28, 2020
بعد انهاء قراءة بعض الروايات أشعر بالغيرة من أبطالها!
لأنهم ببساطة.. أبطال
لا أشعر بارتباطهم مع كاتبيهم.. بل أتصور بأنهم قد عاشوا حقاً جميع ما قرأته عنهم
ولم يفعل الكاتب سوى نقلهم إلى القراء بصورة درامية ومشوقة
ولكن هذا الخيال يقود إلى افتراض أنهم أشخاص حقيقيون
لذا... أمام هذه النقطة أتوقف تماماً
فهم حتماً مُتَخَيلين لأن الواقع الملتوي الذي نعيشه لا يحتاج - بالنسبة لي- إلى الشجاعة والإقدام والعزيمة و و و... لتحقيق ذواتنا وأهدافنا.. بل يحتاج إلى مخالب وأنياب لتمزيقه ومطارق لتحطيمه وهدمه وإلى الشر والعدوانية... الكثير من الشر والعدوانية حقاً.. لكي نعيش فقط.....
ولأننا فقراء من هذه الوسائل فقد استسلمنا - ربما أنا، لوحدي- للصمت والسلبية وتركنا للكتاب حرية الإفصاح عن دفين دواخلنا، مكتفين بهز رؤوسنا، والتحسر، والشعور بالغيرة من هؤلاء الأبطال "الحقيقين"!!
رواية فيها القليل جداً من الأسلوب الأدبي
ولكنها غنية بالأحداث والمفارقات بين زمنين مختلفين
شعرت في الكثير من أجزائها وكأنها مكتوبة لتكون فيلماً سينمائياً لا أكثر
وهذا ما يزعجني غالباً في روايات عصرنا الحديث
أن الكتاب يتخلون عن الأسلوب مقابل الأحداث والحبكات
ورغم ذلك فهي جميلة وناعمة.. وهي مسك ختام قراءاتي لعام تقويمي قد يكون الأسوأ على الإطلاق في تاريخ البشرية.. وفي حياتي
لأنهم ببساطة.. أبطال
لا أشعر بارتباطهم مع كاتبيهم.. بل أتصور بأنهم قد عاشوا حقاً جميع ما قرأته عنهم
ولم يفعل الكاتب سوى نقلهم إلى القراء بصورة درامية ومشوقة
ولكن هذا الخيال يقود إلى افتراض أنهم أشخاص حقيقيون
لذا... أمام هذه النقطة أتوقف تماماً
فهم حتماً مُتَخَيلين لأن الواقع الملتوي الذي نعيشه لا يحتاج - بالنسبة لي- إلى الشجاعة والإقدام والعزيمة و و و... لتحقيق ذواتنا وأهدافنا.. بل يحتاج إلى مخالب وأنياب لتمزيقه ومطارق لتحطيمه وهدمه وإلى الشر والعدوانية... الكثير من الشر والعدوانية حقاً.. لكي نعيش فقط.....
ولأننا فقراء من هذه الوسائل فقد استسلمنا - ربما أنا، لوحدي- للصمت والسلبية وتركنا للكتاب حرية الإفصاح عن دفين دواخلنا، مكتفين بهز رؤوسنا، والتحسر، والشعور بالغيرة من هؤلاء الأبطال "الحقيقين"!!
رواية فيها القليل جداً من الأسلوب الأدبي
ولكنها غنية بالأحداث والمفارقات بين زمنين مختلفين
شعرت في الكثير من أجزائها وكأنها مكتوبة لتكون فيلماً سينمائياً لا أكثر
وهذا ما يزعجني غالباً في روايات عصرنا الحديث
أن الكتاب يتخلون عن الأسلوب مقابل الأحداث والحبكات
ورغم ذلك فهي جميلة وناعمة.. وهي مسك ختام قراءاتي لعام تقويمي قد يكون الأسوأ على الإطلاق في تاريخ البشرية.. وفي حياتي
December 27, 2011
I actually finished this last week but didn’t have time to write a review.
What an amazing book! There was more than one night where I stayed up way past my bedtime to read it. I really enjoyed it.
I fully intend on looking for some more books by this author, I liked it that much.
If you are a historical fiction buff you should not miss this one.
5 stars!!
Thank you goodreads & Touchstone for the free copy of the book and opportunity to read it. I received this book for free through goodreads first reads program, but that in no way influenced this review.
What an amazing book! There was more than one night where I stayed up way past my bedtime to read it. I really enjoyed it.
I fully intend on looking for some more books by this author, I liked it that much.
If you are a historical fiction buff you should not miss this one.
5 stars!!
Thank you goodreads & Touchstone for the free copy of the book and opportunity to read it. I received this book for free through goodreads first reads program, but that in no way influenced this review.
July 1, 2016
Συνήθως τα βιβλία που περιγράφουν δυο ζωές, μία στο παρόν και μία στο παρελθόν τα βαριέμαι και με κουράζουν. Στο συγκεκριμένο δεν έπαθα τίποτα απο τα δύο. διάβαζα γρήγορα για να φτάσω στην ιστορία ή της μίας ή της άλλης πρωταγωνίστριας. Η ιστορία βέβαια της Μπέιτι μου άρεσε και με τράβηξε περισσότερο, θαύμασα το κουράγιο της, την αυτοθυσία της και ένιωσα να συμπάσχω μαζί της σε όλα της τα προβλήματα.
September 19, 2011
I didn't care for this book at all. The author did a poor job of making her story come to life. I just kept thinking to myself, "people don't act like this. People don't talk like this." Beatty was presented as though she were a victim of her society, but in actuality she was a victim of her own poor judgment and her inability to adapt to her circumstances. It was very hard to feel any sympathy for her.
Also, I was disappointed that I never felt a really strong sense of a time or place. At one point, kangaroos are mentioned and I wondered where kangaroos had come from, until I remembered the story was set in Australia. Freeman didn't do a good job of making me feel absorbed by the physical or cultural environment about which she was writing.
Also, I was disappointed that I never felt a really strong sense of a time or place. At one point, kangaroos are mentioned and I wondered where kangaroos had come from, until I remembered the story was set in Australia. Freeman didn't do a good job of making me feel absorbed by the physical or cultural environment about which she was writing.
June 22, 2016
J'ai toujours peur que les histoires de ce genre soient trop "gnangnan", trop pleines de bons sentiments. Celle-ci, comme toutes les autres, l'est en quelque sorte, on y retrouve encore des histoires de secrets de famille et d'amour, mais je l'ai trouvée particulièrement prenante et émouvante (j'ai eu les larmes aux yeux à plusieurs reprises, et le coeur qui battait aussi). Les personnes sont très très attachants, l'intrigue pleine de rebondissements, et le destin de Beattie tout à fait incroyable. Une lecture que je recommande volontiers pour les vacances !
September 18, 2020
نهايتها المبتورة اغضبتني 😏
November 29, 2018
A wonderful story, beautifully told. Kimberley Freeman is an amazing author. Wildflower Hill is two love stories, one set in the present day, the other in the 1930's. A white woman and an aboriginal man in the 1930's could only cause a scandal - what were they to do when their hearts beat as one? The modern day story of a famous ballerina provides a different twist. Highly recommended.
November 10, 2013
A fast-paced, easy-to-read, never boring book. I really enjoyed it! It took me a few chapters to really get into the story, but once it did, it didn't let me go. I'm talking about Beattie's story here, which interested me much more than Emma's. All those things Beattie went through in her life, poor her. I would have liked to read a bit more about Beattie, before the story jumped to 1965 and the last 20 years or so were sort of skimmed over. It might have been nice to have a more elaborate story about her way to success.
Emma, on the other hand, I did not care for. When a chapter finished and the story jumped back to Emma I felt some frustration, I really wanted to read more about Beattie! Besides Beattie's story being much more interesting, I also did not like Emma at all. So arrogant and selfish, and I can't believe she
I would have liked a bit more story in the epilogue too.
Emma, on the other hand, I did not care for. When a chapter finished and the story jumped back to Emma I felt some frustration, I really wanted to read more about Beattie! Besides Beattie's story being much more interesting, I also did not like Emma at all. So arrogant and selfish, and I can't believe she
I would have liked a bit more story in the epilogue too.
December 11, 2010
A compelling and poignant family saga that parallels the story of Beattie Blaxland, a Scottish girl who emigrates to Australia in 1929, with the story of her granddaughter, Emma Blaxland-Hunter. Linking the generations is the old house, Wildflower Hill, in Tasmania. A love story, and a story about making the best of what life throws at you, this is a book where the pages just seem to turn themselves. I’d really recommend this to anyone who loves a heart-warming tale.
February 2, 2019
Една от книгите,които ще запазя в библиотеката си. Съвсем малко не й достига , за да удовлетвори напълно моя вкус.Историята е наситена. Може би , липсва малко страст , за да ме завладее до край.
28/10/14
Харесват ми историите на тази авторка и става все по-добра :) Със сигурност ще продължава�� да я чета и да купувам нейните книги.
28/10/14
Харесват ми историите на тази авторка и става все по-добра :) Със сигурност ще продължава�� да я чета и да купувам нейните книги.
November 26, 2011
If you love Kate Morton novels then this is one you should read... not as good, but certainly stands close!!! Enjoyed!!!
March 9, 2018
This book was well-written, poignant, made me cry, made me laugh, made me self-reflect, and I could not put it down. I can't wait to read more from Kimberley Freeman!
August 21, 2020
Imdama skaityti šią knygą kažko labai daug nesitikejau. Lengvas romanas ir tiek. Pradėjusi knygą, supratau , kad knyga greitai ir lengvai nesiskaitys. Pakankamai mažai dialogų , didelis knygos formatas, beeeet! Perskaičiusi keletą skyrių prigavau save, kad kiekvieną dieną tik ir ieškau progos kada paskaityti ir stengiuosi kiek įmanoma atidėti svarbius darbus 😁Nuostabi istorija, kuri mane ir pralinksmino ir vietomis privertė susigraudinti. Džiaugiuosi, kad knyga skaitėsi gana lėtai ir beveik visą savaitę galėjau ja mėgautis ❤️
August 14, 2014
I would give this 3.5 stars overall but 4 for Beattie's story. This is a dual time period story where the historical portion is much more endearing than the contemporary story. In fact, I felt that the modern story really contributed very little to the overall impact of the heart wrenching saga of Beattie's life and struggles. In this case, the author did not really use it to its best advantage in discovering the past. It seemed to be just part of the popular formula for dual time period fiction. It would be a better book if the 1929 story were more detailed and the contemporary story removed entirely. The period switches felt disjointed to me. Possibly because of this it took me about 150 pages to get really interested in the story.
Anyway, Beattie's story was beautiful and tragic. The advice that helps motivates her in several dire situations was memorable. "There are 2 kinds of women, those who do things and those who have things done to them." I do wish she had not had so many things "done to her." It was a bit sad and some she was not able to overcome. The story lines with her daughter and Charlie were agonizing. I would prefer to have some happier resolutions to the story but that's just me.
The Tasmania setting was fascinating and the characters in that time period were vividly drawn. One easily identified with their love, hate and quirkiness. I could see that portion of the story would make quite a good movie.
Anyway, Beattie's story was beautiful and tragic. The advice that helps motivates her in several dire situations was memorable. "There are 2 kinds of women, those who do things and those who have things done to them." I do wish she had not had so many things "done to her." It was a bit sad and some she was not able to overcome. The story lines with her daughter and Charlie were agonizing. I would prefer to have some happier resolutions to the story but that's just me.
The Tasmania setting was fascinating and the characters in that time period were vividly drawn. One easily identified with their love, hate and quirkiness. I could see that portion of the story would make quite a good movie.
April 25, 2013
I decided to read this book based on goodreads and amazon recommendations, I think because I had really liked Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden. When it arrived I saw Morton had even written a blurb for the front cover so I was all excited for it. But then I read it and was really really disappointed. I felt like Morton's blurb should have read: Nice try but not as good as my book. The plot of this book is very similar to The Forgotten Garden (generations of women, family secrets, inheritances, Australia) but Freeman is not as good at portraying the characters and they all felt like stereotypes to me, especially the ballerina grandaughter. The plot of this book is also so painfully predictable that I almost laughed when every plot "twist" happened. Oh and it's over 500 pages long so it just goes on and on and you know exactly what is going to happen in the end. So learn from my mistakes, don't read this book, read The Forgotten Garden instead!
July 27, 2017
https://georgette60.blogspot.gr/2017/...
Ένα βιβλίο που αφήνει θετική εντύπωση και εξακολουθείς να το σκέφτεσαι και μετέπειτα,πράγμα που σημαίνει ότι σου δημιουργεί πολλά συναισθήματα.Οι χαρακτήρες των ηρώων είναι τόσο ζωντανοί και ενδιαφέροντες που τους νιώθεις μέσα σου αντί να είσαι απλά παρατηρητής.Μία ιστορία με αφηγηματικές ��να��λαγές στον χρόνο (παρελθόν - σήμερα και σαφώς υπερτερεί το παρελθόν)όπου η συγγραφέας συνδέει τις δύο γενιές εκπληκτικά αναπτύσσοντας συγχρόνως την πλοκή της οικογένειας που είναι γεμάτη ανατροπές.Ζωντανές οι περιγραφές και ειδικά της υπαίθρου με έντονα χρώματα ζωγραφισμένες.Γρήγορο,ευκολοδιάβαστο,ατμοσφαιρικό και απολαυστικό βιβλίο.Μία ιστορία αγάπης,καρδιάς,ισχυρή και συγκινητική και με μία έντονη μάχη ενάντια στην ταλαιπωρία της γυναίκας αντιμετωπίζοντας δυσκολίες και δοκιμασίες.ΕΜΜΑ - ΜΠΕΤΤΥ δύο ηρωίδες με διαφορετικούς χαρακτήρες.Απίστευτη η μοίρα της Μπέττυς που με την επιμονή ,την εξυπνάδα,την συμπόνοια,την εργασία,την αυτοθυσία της και παρ'όλο τις αντιξοότητες,τις διάφορες προκαταλήψεις,την φτώχεια,τον ρατσισμό και τον φανατισμό που επικρατούσαν δεν πτοήθηκε,αλλά άντεξε και υπερασπίστηκε αυτά που πίστευε.Από την άλλη η Έμμα μία υποτονική,εγωπαθής,συμβιβασμένη και γυναίκα καριέρας κατορθώνει να αλλάξει τρόπο ζωής και σκέψεις.
Ένα βιβλίο που αφήνει θετική εντύπωση και εξακολουθείς να το σκέφτεσαι και μετέπειτα,πράγμα που σημαίνει ότι σου δημιουργεί πολλά συναισθήματα.Οι χαρακτήρες των ηρώων είναι τόσο ζωντανοί και ενδιαφέροντες που τους νιώθεις μέσα σου αντί να είσαι απλά παρατηρητής.Μία ιστορία με αφηγηματικές ��να��λαγές στον χρόνο (παρελθόν - σήμερα και σαφώς υπερτερεί το παρελθόν)όπου η συγγραφέας συνδέει τις δύο γενιές εκπληκτικά αναπτύσσοντας συγχρόνως την πλοκή της οικογένειας που είναι γεμάτη ανατροπές.Ζωντανές οι περιγραφές και ειδικά της υπαίθρου με έντονα χρώματα ζωγραφισμένες.Γρήγορο,ευκολοδιάβαστο,ατμοσφαιρικό και απολαυστικό βιβλίο.Μία ιστορία αγάπης,καρδιάς,ισχυρή και συγκινητική και με μία έντονη μάχη ενάντια στην ταλαιπωρία της γυναίκας αντιμετωπίζοντας δυσκολίες και δοκιμασίες.ΕΜΜΑ - ΜΠΕΤΤΥ δύο ηρωίδες με διαφορετικούς χαρακτήρες.Απίστευτη η μοίρα της Μπέττυς που με την επιμονή ,την εξυπνάδα,την συμπόνοια,την εργασία,την αυτοθυσία της και παρ'όλο τις αντιξοότητες,τις διάφορες προκαταλήψεις,την φτώχεια,τον ρατσισμό και τον φανατισμό που επικρατούσαν δεν πτοήθηκε,αλλά άντεξε και υπερασπίστηκε αυτά που πίστευε.Από την άλλη η Έμμα μία υποτονική,εγωπαθής,συμβιβασμένη και γυναίκα καριέρας κατορθώνει να αλλάξει τρόπο ζωής και σκέψεις.
January 5, 2015
Historical family saga spanning over 80 years that intertwines the life a a young woman and her grandmother.
This was a terrific read and I enjoyed it immensely. The story grabbed me from the first page to the very last and I particularly liked how the author wove the two stories together. I often struggle with dual timelines. Just when I am getting into the flow of one character's story, I am catapulted into the next. However, the author's movement from one story to the next was seamless.
Though, I actually found myself disappointed in both women, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book which in itself is a testimony of good writing. I think this would be a terrific selection for a Ladies Book Group.
This was a terrific read and I enjoyed it immensely. The story grabbed me from the first page to the very last and I particularly liked how the author wove the two stories together. I often struggle with dual timelines. Just when I am getting into the flow of one character's story, I am catapulted into the next. However, the author's movement from one story to the next was seamless.
Though, I actually found myself disappointed in both women, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book which in itself is a testimony of good writing. I think this would be a terrific selection for a Ladies Book Group.
June 2, 2021
Loved this one!
August 23, 2015
Πρόκειται για ένα από τα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία που έχω διαβάσει. Υπέροχο βιβλίο, σε ταξιδεύει στην ιστορία μιας οικογένειας με καταπληκτικό τρόπο. Διαβάζεται με πολύ ενδιαφέρον!
December 29, 2017
https://lovebooksloveread.blogspot.gr...
Οφείλω να ομολογήσω ότι κάποιοι συγγραφείς για μένα είναι ξεχωριστοί.Σε αυτή την κατηγορία κατατάσσω και την Kimberley Freeman Το κάθε βιβλίο της μοναδικό.Αν και ακολουθεί ένα συγκεκριμένο μοτίβο, τις δύο εποχές, κάθε φορά καταφέρνει να με εκπλήσσει με τις υπέροχες ιστορίες της. Ο λόφος με τα αγριολούλουδα ήταν το μόνο βιβλίο της που δεν είχα διαβάσει μέχρι σήμερα.Τολμώ να πω ότι η ιστορία της Μπέιτι κατάφερε να με μαγέψει όσο και η ιστορία της Τίλι στο Άγριο Κυκλάμινο.Παρά τον μεγάλο όγκο του το βιβλίο όχι απλά δεν κουράζει αλλά διαβάζεται μονορούφι! Καταφέρνει να μεταδώσει τα βαθιά συναισθήματα των ηρώων με τέτοια επιτυχία ώστε, να βάλει τον κάθε αναγνώστη σε έντονο προβληματισμό για τα ηθικά διλήμματα εκείνης της εποχής με τα οποία ήρθε αντιμέτωπη η Μπέιτι. Τα συναισθήματα της οργής της απώλειας της αδικίας περνούν από μπροστά σου και γίνεσαι ένα με τους ήρωες αυτής της υπέροχης ιστορίας!Γιατί οι ήρωες της Kimberley Freeman είναι πλασμένοι με τέτοια μαεστρία που νομίζεις ότι ζεις και εσύ μαζί τους λεπτό το λεπτό, στιγμή τη στιγμή.. .Δανείζομαι μια φράση του βιβλίου :Υπάρχουν δύο είδη γυναικών Μπέιτι! Αυτές που κάνουν πράγματα και αυτές που υπομένουν πράγματα!Τώρα το τι ακριβώς κάνουν οι ηρωίδες αυτής της ιστορίας θα σας αφήσω να το ανακαλύψετε μόνοι σας! Το σίγουρο είναι ότι πρόκειται για ένα βαθύ κοινωνικό και συγκινητικό ανάγνωσμα που θα αγγίξει και τον πιο απαιτητικό αναγνώστη.
Οφείλω να ομολογήσω ότι κάποιοι συγγραφείς για μένα είναι ξεχωριστοί.Σε αυτή την κατηγορία κατατάσσω και την Kimberley Freeman Το κάθε βιβλίο της μοναδικό.Αν και ακολουθεί ένα συγκεκριμένο μοτίβο, τις δύο εποχές, κάθε φορά καταφέρνει να με εκπλήσσει με τις υπέροχες ιστορίες της. Ο λόφος με τα αγριολούλουδα ήταν το μόνο βιβλίο της που δεν είχα διαβάσει μέχρι σήμερα.Τολμώ να πω ότι η ιστορία της Μπέιτι κατάφερε να με μαγέψει όσο και η ιστορία της Τίλι στο Άγριο Κυκλάμινο.Παρά τον μεγάλο όγκο του το βιβλίο όχι απλά δεν κουράζει αλλά διαβάζεται μονορούφι! Καταφέρνει να μεταδώσει τα βαθιά συναισθήματα των ηρώων με τέτοια επιτυχία ώστε, να βάλει τον κάθε αναγνώστη σε έντονο προβληματισμό για τα ηθικά διλήμματα εκείνης της εποχής με τα οποία ήρθε αντιμέτωπη η Μπέιτι. Τα συναισθήματα της οργής της απώλειας της αδικίας περνούν από μπροστά σου και γίνεσαι ένα με τους ήρωες αυτής της υπέροχης ιστορίας!Γιατί οι ήρωες της Kimberley Freeman είναι πλασμένοι με τέτοια μαεστρία που νομίζεις ότι ζεις και εσύ μαζί τους λεπτό το λεπτό, στιγμή τη στιγμή.. .Δανείζομαι μια φράση του βιβλίου :Υπάρχουν δύο είδη γυναικών Μπέιτι! Αυτές που κάνουν πράγματα και αυτές που υπομένουν πράγματα!Τώρα το τι ακριβώς κάνουν οι ηρωίδες αυτής της ιστορίας θα σας αφήσω να το ανακαλύψετε μόνοι σας! Το σίγουρο είναι ότι πρόκειται για ένα βαθύ κοινωνικό και συγκινητικό ανάγνωσμα που θα αγγίξει και τον πιο απαιτητικό αναγνώστη.
February 19, 2019
Πραγματικά αν υπήρχαν και παραπάνω αστεράκια θα τα έβαζα. Το βιβλίο με ενθουσίασε. Καλογραμμένο με πολύ ωραία δομή και με μια υπέροχη ιστορία με πρωταγωνίστριες γιαγιά και εγγονή. Αγάπησα τις αφηγήσεις που με ταξίδεψαν στην Αυστραλία στο πρώτο μισό του 20ου αιώνα και μ��ορώ με βεβαιότητα να πω πως η συγγραφέας έγραψε πραγματικά ένα συγκινητικό βιβλίο για την ιστορία μιας γενναίας γυναίκας που πάλεψε σκληρά, έκανε τα λάθη της αλλά αγάπησε με όλη της την καρδιά. Το συστήνω ανεπιφύλακτα.
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