Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Family & Friendship - Fiction

Gardens of Time

Name: Gardens of Time
Author: Ann Sawyer
ISBN: 9780982896709

by Ann Sawyer

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Overview

The hallmark of novels by Ann Sawyer is the depth of insight and understanding that she brings to her characters and plots. With compassion and empathy, she weaves the many complex strands that truly reflect our lives, bringing the reader into a deeper, meaningful experience. Ann Sawyer’s background as a long term psychotherapist contributes greatly to the richness and beauty of her stories.
Out of pride Sylvia agreed to host Verna during step-granddaughter Carole’s wedding. After all it had been over thirty years since Sylvia’s affair with Alan had broken up his marriage to Verna and her own to Ted Coombs. After Alan’s death eight years earlier, Sylvia and Verna buried the past and made peace for the sake of the family they both loved. Besides, Sylvia reasoned, Verna had moved on to a full life in Florida with parties, friends and gentlemen companions, with new memories to fill her mind. To help out, Agnes, Verna’s housekeeper from long ago had joined the household to help the two women.
Reality soon shattered appearances. Shortly after Carole’s storybook wedding, she leaves her husband and returns home for succor and support. Despite her claims to the contrary, Verna faces terminal lung cancer with no money for care. Though her family speaks of love, neither of her children will take her in nor care for her, leaving her nursing to Sylvia and Agnes. And the past with all its memories laden with emotions, refuses to stay buried, instead emerging to haunt them all. Into this odd household, Ted, Sylvia’s first husband, becomes a frequent visitor under the guise that he is an old friend of Verna’s His presence not only turns Verna into a flirt and discomforts Sylvia, but sparks the revelation of past secrets that change everything.
The three women take turns narrating the two tales, past and present, offering distinct voices and points of view. Verna speaks in the modern metaphor of money and success. Agnes views life as a hard, ugly endeavor made more bearable by her acerbic wit and dry commentary. Sylvia is enraptured with her gardens and speaks of nature’s cycles, using the symbolism of the Victorian flower language.
GARDENS OF TIME is a novel of hope and beauty that taps into the depth of a seasoned woman’s understanding and insight. It explores the complexities a woman faces as she ages in her many faceted, multi-layered life. From early spring, through the growing season and into fall, the tale weaves from past to present, through the three women’s lives to an interesting conclusion. It is a good read.

About the Author, Ann Sawyer

Ann Sawyer is a long term psychotherapist which gives her the insight into the personal and interpersonal. She has written and published several novels and a work of non-fiction.