The Walled Garden

This was such a good read and I just couldn't put it down. Well written with a captivating and sometimes heart - wrenching storyline and well developed characters some of which I loved. The story kept me gripped all the way through and left me feeling breathless at times. The gothic atmosphere woven through the text works really well too. I loved it and I love the front cover

Really interesting wartime fiction, exploring relationships, love and resilience.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my review.

I was excited to have an advanced copy of The Walled Garden; the book promised to be an insight into the after effects of the second world war; not just of those who were on the front line, but those who were left behind.

And the book delivered so much more. I found it tricky to get into at first; but it soon became apparent that this was for a reason. As soon as each of the characters stories started coming to light that I found I couldn't put the book down.

The mixture of decisions that had to be made, and the subsequent repercussions on the mindset of those that had to make them was insightful and elegantly done.

It's a dark book and at some points, it's difficult to read. But I enjoyed it and it carries a deep lesson that trauma can come from many different places.

Incredibly beautiful cover! This is a post-war novel set in Suffolk about mental heath and restoration. I enjoyed the intrapersonal narrative but it was also a bit slow. However, I loved the link with nature and would recommend this as a historical fiction read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. A story set in wartime with a beautiful cover. The book explores relationships and love after returning from war. An enjoyable book to read and well written, thoroughly enjoyed it.

A very thoughtful and compassionate exploration of the effects of war on the individual and their family and spouses. The healing powers of nature weaves through as does time and patience and love. Beautifully written, a lovely if sometimes dark book.

I loved this.
It took a little time to get into it but the story exceeded expectations.
It’s a post war story looking at the lives of the characters after the war but instead of delight that the war is over, the book looks at the psychological impact and the impossibility of things going back to normal. The dreadful burdens carried by the survivors are unimaginable. It seems most likely that this was an ongoing struggle for many, including the misapprehensions of some who believed that other had a less dreadful time.
This stayed with me, after I put the book down.
Recommended

It is 1946, and Sir Stephen Rayne has returned home from war to his crumbling manor house in the village of Oakbourn in Suffolk. Burdened with secrets and tortured by the horrors he has seen whilst away fighting, he is a completely changed man. Traumatised, angry, bitter, and also guilty that he has survived, he is unable to face the future.

Meanwhile Alice, his wife, is struggling with the change in her husband, and the loss of their once loving relationship. He constantly lashes out at her, and refuses to engage with her, the estate, or the villagers, preferring instead to spend his time shut away in an attic bedroom.

It is left to Alice to find ways to salvage the collapsing house, the struggling estate, and beautiful but ruined walled garden, as well as save her fractured marriage. Tireless in her efforts, she is forced to find a new way to live, and to love.

This is a very moving debut novel that offers a different perspective on post-war life in Britain, showing that whilst the war was won, winning the peace was a totally different proposition. As soldiers returned damaged by what they had seen and by their experiences, their wives, families and communities were trying to cope with supporting men whom would today be diagnosed as having PTSD.

For the men returning, their physical injuries may be healing, but the mental scars have not. We see Stephen and the mental demons he is fighting, but there is also the village GP, who lost his leg in a prison camp and suffered trauma so deep that his hands constantly shake - he has to come to terms with the fact that he cannot return to his once brilliant career as a surgeon. He pours his frustrations into inverted snobbery, railing against social injustice and poverty, and shouting at his wife and children.

In addition to the mental and physical problems experienced by the returning soldiers and the dreadful difficulties faced by their families, Sarah Hardy paints a vivid portrayal of a community continuing to face everyday shortages and deprivations even though the war is over - rationing is still in place; supplies of food and heating are limited; clothing is well-worn, and patched. It is a make-do-and-mend society. But despite all of this, spirits remain surprisingly high in the village, and comfort is found in the traditional pre-war activities like decorating the church for Easter and the annual Cricket match against the next village.

The timeframe of the novel spans winter, spring and early summer, and there are beautiful descriptions of the natural world and the seasons providing a counterpoint to the human misery, with the burgeoning of the walled garden and the surrounding countryside reflecting the growing green shoots of hope springing up for the community.

The Walled Garden is a compelling, thoughtful story populated with well-drawn characters, and it movingly explores themes of loss, love and human resilience. I really enjoyed it and found it a highly engaging read.

It’s 1946 and the men of Oakbourne have returned from war – at least those that survived have – each bearing the physical and mental scars of six years of bloody battle. At Oakbourne Hall, Sir Stephen Rayne broods on his part in the conflict, unable to share the secret of the things he has seen and done with his patient but bewildered wife Alice. At the doctor’s home, Jane Downes tries to keep the peace between her husband Jonathan and their three children. He’s scarred and angered by his experiences as a prisoner of war, they’re still traumatised by the bombing of their home in the London Blitz. At the vicarage, gentle George Ivens offers what solace he can to his parishioners. But even he can’t heal the tortured minds of Sir Stephen and Dr Downes.
Will time, and the love of their wives, do their healing work?
This was a beautiful story of the strength and resilience of ordinary people who have had to face extraordinary circumstances. The reader empathises so much with all of them, but Alice is the ultimate heroine of the piece. She longs for the normality and contentment of the pre-war years, and tries to recreate them in the old walled garden that has been left to go to rack and ruin.
It’s a metaphor for so many ruined lives, and as she pulls out nettles with her bare hands, we’re reminded that healing and restoration can’t happen unless we face up to the pain.
Amongst all the sorrow are moments of joy, as George Ivens’ rich voice soars to the church’s vaulted ceiling, as he and Alice discover a shared love of music, as Dr Downe’s takes up his beloved chess again, as the annual village cricket match resumes.
This book may be about the aftermath of the cruelty mankind is capable of, but there is so much love in the story – family love, forbidden love, the love of the land everyone fought so hard for, that it uplifts, inspires and warms the reader’s heart with the reminder that goodness will always triumph over evil.

WW2 is over, VE Day has been celebrated, then the reality of the peace sets in for the characters in this novel, all of them dealing with the physical and/or emotional effects of all that they have lost or experienced during the conflict. Women who had longed for their men to return find them so dramatically changed that life is unbearable. The doctor who lost a leg and whose uncontrollable tremor makes him unable to advance his career looks to the future and longs for a just world. Stephen shuts himself away, his terrible secret locked inside.

Set in a small community where everybody is watching their neighbours, wondering and judging, this is a story of deep secrets, loss, deprivation. Each of the characters has a completely different experience of the war years and their despair, hope, resentment are on every page. Resentment that the people in the big house seem to still have everything when others have lost so much; resentment that some men have returned whilst other families have lost their sons/husbands/fathers..

Alice seeks solace in her garden where nature brings an element of hope by continuing unchanged, Alice delighting in skeins of geese and plants pushing through the earth, in strong contrast to the evil of war and its aftermath. Given the title of the book, I'd have liked to learn more about the restoration of the walled garden.

Stephen's story unfolds gradually. There is clearly something terrible he cannot reveal to anybody. I was slightly unconvinced that he unburdened himself of his terrible secret to the vicar, who then convinced him to confide in his wife, but of course without that the plot could not have reached its entirely appropriate conclusion, so I am happy to overlook that

There are many moving moments in this wonderful novel, but the finest has to be the revelation that Stephen's comrades in France and even the father of the girl who so tragically lost her life knew what he had done, accepted it and understood why. The strongest messages I took from this books were people's resilience and their compassion.

After reading the author's sources, I now feel inspired to try to get hold of some of the books which informed her own narrative and clearly contributed to its authenticity. She truly captures the spirit of the time in all its awfulness, in all its beauty.

The Walled Garden is set in Suffolk at the end of WW2, and follows the lives of Stephen and his wife Alice, Dr Downes and the vicar Revd Ivens

Each character has their own secrets.... Stephen arrived home over 6 months after the war had ended, and was no longer the poet or the calm romantic man he was before the war. Dr Downes was a POW, REVD Ivens arrived in Oakbourne from the East end of London.

Alice finds it hard, to keep the house from falling down around their ears, Stephen, has retreated to the attic and barely talks . Alice sells some of the family heirlooms to keep the house going. She also has a love of gardening and sets out to revive the walled garden .

At times I
At the beginning of the book it was a difficult read, but as you progress through the book it becomes a lot easier and you can visualise the torment each character goes through to sort out their issues.

1946 just after WW2 the master of the big house, Sir Steven, returns home along with others from his village. Unfortunately although a war hero he carries a heavy burden of what he saw and did during the war. He shuts himself away in the attic to suffer alone.
His wife is in despair. Her outlet is bringing back to life the Walled Garden in "The big house"
The secrets of the veterans are forever shut away until a new vicar is appointed. He manages to unlock their secrets and help them come back to life. However Lady Alice has the biggest secret.
I really enjoyed this book. Very thought provoking and emotional.

A story set after the Second World War as men returned to their families from their service. I felt Sarah Hardy showed the difficulties faced by these men and their families was described in a very compassionate manner. I loved the story as it took a different line to that which I had expected. Lady Rayne was nothing like what the villagers expected her to be, whilst her husband was a very different man, to that who had gone to war. The Dr Downes was also hiding secrets from his family who found it difficult to understand. His wife was also back to being a housewife despite her position during the war years. The new Vicar went a long way towards reuniting these families in unexpected ways, and despite having his own problems.
I can highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and family life.

"The Walled Garden" is a really powerful novel about the aftermath of war. It tells of the impact on those on the home front as well as those who fought. The main character is Alice Rayne, who spent the last years of his life caring for her infirm father and now faces the challenge of looking after her husband. This time though the problems are mental rather than physical, so much more difficult to deal with.

This book highlights many issues relating to war, including the fact that those left at home really didn't have it easy. Not only were they worrying about loved ones who had gone to fight, but they struggled to survive bombing and rationing, amongst other things. This novel is a really compelling read and very well written. Highly recommended. It deserves more than 5 stars!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The storyline is excellent and compelling. I highly recommend it!

A book very important to read and to remember just how much was given by so many so that we can enjoy the freedom with which we live today. We must never forget the scars borne by all those brave men, women and children.

Beautifully written post war drama featuring families and how they get through the crucial years . Likeable characters and realistic events leading to differing outcomes for each family. Dealing with loss and how to move on.
Very engaging read.

The always wounds of war, long after.

Sarah Hardy’s exploration of two generations (and rippling onwards) damaged by the major conflagrations of the twentieth century is a good one.

Set pretty quickly after the ending of the second world war, when those damaged by their participation in its horrors, whether within the Armed Services or on the home front, are found now trying to pick up the pieces, and unable to share in the positive spin put on a new future.

She tackles, well, the challenges of the class system, in her village setting, where the Lord of the Manor, far from being wealthy, is actually quite impoverished, but, more pertinently, deeply damaged, both brutalised and brutal, by what he did, and had to do as a leader of men, and joining the work of the Resistance, in SOE, in France. Stephen, and his almost on the verge of breakdown wife Alice, are both suffering. Her desire to heal and help her man only increases his cruelty. Stephen is physically unscathed, mentally and emotionally toxic.

The village doctor is one of those who bears physical injuries, and lives in constant pain with his prosthetic leg. He is endlessly compassionate to the poor, passionately involved in the creation of the new National Health Service, but holds ‘privileged classes’ in the deepest contempt. Meanwhile, his wife, during the war an extraordinary nurse, who should have been a doctor herself, has been forced to retreat from the independence she had whilst the men were all away at war, and is now caretaker to her variously damaged children, by war’s effects during the Blitz, in London, and the uncomfortable atmosphere in the family home, caused by her bitter husband

Finally, there is the new vicar, a beautiful and compassionate soul, but one bearing endless guilt that he could not serve and sacrifice the way other men did, in the war. He had rheumatic fever, when young, and his prognosis is poor

I loved the depth and complexity of the central characters in this. Was held me back from the final star, was a certain pat-ness in the romance, love story aspect. I did not quite believe the trajectory of this, nor its resolutions. If not quite FULL Hollywood, it was still, far too sentimental.

Still Hardy is a fine writer, and I will be very interested to see where else she goes

I received this as an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley

This was my first book by this author. I was immediately drawn to the book by the beautiful cover and the book’s description. Based after the war has finished, this story deals with the aftermath, particularly to the men returning from the war and the women who they are returning to.

The book begins well, slowly building the story of the main characters, Alice and Stephen. For me, the storyline took a little while to develop, but once it did, I became hooked into the book, particularly Alice and Stephen’s storylines. We’ve seen so many portrayals of war where the men returning are unable to talk about the horrors they’ve seen, but the author has done a wonderful job in showing us what it was like behind closed doors, not just for the men but for their whole families.

It is a dark and powerful read and is terribly sad at times throughout the book. It does though show us the resilience of people, especially through these war and post-war years. This was a well written storyline which showed the love, strength and courage of all the different characters and I was captivated by their stories. A beautiful, mesmerising read which I would recommend!

I adored this book and would give it more stars if I could. This is a beautifully-written illustration of life just after the Second World War, where the residents of a small village are all trying to come to terms with their new lives. The various characters all have to deal with their own (and sometimes their husbands') traumas and problems, hampered by an unwillingness and inability to communicate things which can't easily be said. I loved the subtle exploration of the characters, and the very real portrayal of a time of deprivation and hardship. I would thoroughly recommend this book.

The Walled Garden by Sarah Hardy is filled with well-drawn and likeable characters who are trying to make sense of the world in the aftermath of World War II and all its traumas; physical, psychological and emotional. Far from being depressing, it's an enjoyable and ultimately uplifting read about hope, love and resilience, and the possibility of rebuilding after even the most devastating of experiences. An impressive debut. Highly recommended.

A beautiful book and an interesting story I’ve read many books that take place during WW2 but none that show the ongoing impact once the soldiers came home with everyone having to rebuild and the strain everyone was under.
I’ve already recommended to several friends!

The Walled Garden by Sarah Hardy

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC ebook for an unbiased review.

As someone whose grandfather's were both affected by WW2, and the way it affected the family as a whole, meant this story was intriguing to me. Did it work?
Yes.
My real negatives - minor as they were, and why I knock a star off my rating - was it was a little slow to start. I also felt that it was all a bit clichéd on who the characters were. The vicar, a doctor, the dutiful wife as Lady of the Manor. I personally felt it would've been better to give us characters who tend not to fall into this trap. It isn't to say they were without merit, I just wish more ordinary voices were what brought the story to us.

However, despite this, once it found its stride, I really found myself taken in by the story overall. In fact, in respect of the effects war had, it was certainly something I know reflected both my maternal and paternal family, for different reasons. My paternal grandfather was a warrant officer who was tasked with helping those at Bergen-Belsen, and he came back from the war and had a breakdown as a result of his experience. Thankfully, he was able to recover but the mental scars ran deep. For both men. That spilled over into family life in ways a lot of people today probably have no tangible understanding of. This book brought some of that to the forefront.

Ultimately the book is about resilience, despite the horror. Despite what the families and community went through. How it was all rebuilt, and even if it was different, it isn't necessarily worse.

I'm happy to give this 4/5 stars. One book that will join my collection.

The book is set after the Second World War. Alice and Stephen are married but he’s returned a changed man. Alice doesn’t like him much any more and tries to use her time to keep out if his way and to repair the Walled garden in Oakbourne Hall. But she finds solace from an unexpected quarter. Alice gives birth to a son and things seem to be do much better.
For a first novel it’s quite stunning and I certainly hope there are many more. Thank you

What a beautiful book - not only the cover, but also the story of loss, tragedy love and the horrors of WW1. I was hooked from the start to finish!

It is 1946 and the men are returning from the war. Most are broken and life is taking its time in healing them.
Alice Rayne is married to Stephen, who is heir to Oakbourne Hall and now an angry man hiding a tragic secret.
Alice falls under the spell of the new Vicar and begins an affair with him.
Is this the end of her marriage to Stephen? She finds solace in returning the walled garden to its former glory but will she see it through to the end?

A carefully-told reminder that war doesn't end when the war ends. Each character tells of a different war but enduring resilience is shown in all as they attempt to recover. Underlying themes of love and redemption turn the story into a message of hope.

This is such a beautifully written book about human resilience and trauma, particularly the trauma of war. It is graphic in places and creates a feeling of discomfort and sadness around the atrocities of war and the battles people are facing on the inside but I felt this was pitched at just the right level for the reader. I am, by trade, a certified trauma specialist and found this book accurate and very well researched yet sensitive to the reader. The ending was perfect !

Oh how war can affect people in so many ways, test relationships and for those left behind not live up to expectations when those away come home. It really describes in an flowing manner the problems of relationships when war finishes. Running alongside it also describes the financialissue sof maintaining large houses - you could say if you can afford the house then tough but in so many cases it is through inheritance which doesn't mean the cash bucket need to look after them.
Though slightly slow to get into perseverance really rewarded, it is an excellent read

A brilliant book. So beautifully written, as if Sarah Hardy was there during those post war times. A story of loss, love, the horrors of war and the ability to cope afterwards. A story that keeps you hooked till the last page!

Superb! I honestly could not believe that Sarah Hardy had not lived during this time as I truly did live it just reading her words! Atmospheric, emotional, heart rending, joyous, a real roller coaster of emotions and unputdownable! It is 1946 and George Ivens has moved to a small village in Norfolk to take over as vicar of the parish. George has had rheumatic fever and knows his life will not be long but he wants to try and make a difference to the war torn village of Oakbourne. Sir Stephen and his wife are suffering with the after effects of the atrocities he experienced over in France. Alice, his wife, tries to talk to him but he shuts himself away in the attic rooms of Oakbourne Hall and their once loving relationship is suffering. Dr Downes has returned from the war with only one workable leg and takes back his medicinal duties from his wife Jane who had worked tirelessly during the war in his place. He dislikes Sir Stephen and all he stands for but he and George are able to forge a friendship and the Doctor feels the need to help this kind and empathetic man. However, back at the Hall, Alice is lost and alone and her only solace is in bringing the Walled Garden back to life. George tries to help discover what her husband is holding back but the circumstances become far more complicated! Be prepared to lose yourself totally in this beautiful tale which would also make a wonderful film!

There's a lot of books about the aftermath and the impact of WWI on the veterans but there's not a lot about the aftermath of WWII.
This is a good story, a story about what happens when the men you married is back after the war and he changed and you have to fight to save your home and maybe change your life.
The author is a good storyteller and developed an intriguing plot, heart breaking and compelling, and a cast of well rounded characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This story was so moving.

We imagine that the men who go off to war will come back the same people and pick up their lives where they left off. This book was beautifully written about how untrue that is. After the atrocities of war and all that they did and saw, how could they?
The book tells of how once happy couples were ripped apart and unable to open up and talk about it. I was particularly caught up with the story of Alice and Stephen. Such heaviness carried by Stephen that drove a wedge between them and ultimately leaves Alice with a secret to carry for the rest of her life. It’s a beautiful story. I absolutely loved it.

The Walled Garden is a book that illustrates how war can affect not just those who have to fight for freedom during a conflict but also those left behind. And when the soldiers return home to their Suffolk village they are no longer the men they were before they left. Alice's husband, Stephen, is one such man, and as a result, not only does their crumbling manor home need rescuing but also their marriage. They aren't the only couple having to come to terms with post-war life and the rebuilding of the community, with the help of the injured village doctor and a new vicar who has his own guilt for not being able to physically fight in the war. This book illustrates how resilient people can be with love, patience and understanding. Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books/Manilla Press for the opportunity to read and review The Walled Garden.

What a wonderful story, told with depth and empathy but so very sad. Sarah Hardy has captured the scene with skill, creating wonderful characters. Struggling to come to terms with the events and effects of the Second World War, Alice and her husband Stephen face many challenges, as do several other members of the local community. The revelation of past secrets unfold, but still there are those best kept private. It was a joy to read this novel, which is a true page turner.

My thanks to Sarah Hardy, NetGalley and the publishers Bonnier Books for this unforgettable novel.

This post WW11 book shows how the war changed people who went or had to go to the war, many of whom were at the front line. War changes everything from the destruction of the homeland to the health and mental state of people. This book set in Suffolk tells the story, it is very interesting and shows us how things happened. Worth 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I was firstly drawn ro this book by the gorgeous cover. Who wouldn’t want to read a book that had such a fabulous cover. This is a book of historical fiction dealing with the aftermath of WW2 and especially the after effects on men who have returned from war and how they are coping, many of them returning to their families after being through such a horrific time are maimed both physically and mentally. I found this book quite different to what I’ve read in the past about the aftermath of the Second World War, usually the books I’ve read concentrate more on how women and children are coping. So this was a different read for me and it really struck a chord with me at times how many men struggled with life after war. Whilst this is a slow burn of a read the writing is wonderful and so descriptive that it’s very easy to close your eyes and visualise all that’s happening as if you’re actually there. A very powerful and at times sad read which I highly recommend.

What a beautiful book, despite the topic dealing with the aftermath of war and how it affects different people.
The story is mostly about Lady Alice Rayne, her husband Stephen and Rev Ivens. Lord Rayne has returne£ from France very withdrawn and not participating in life, does not seem interested in his wife and the Estate which is now quite run down. Reverend Ivens is sent from London to recuperate in the clean fresh air of the countryside following poor health due to Rheumatic Fever.
The story is quite slow to start, introducing the characters around the main protagonists. But when it gets really going, I did not want to put the book down, you find out about Stephens activities in France and why he is now the way he is.
I loved the fact that it deals with issues, including mental health, that war can cause.
Definitely worth reading.