The Secret Book of Flora Lea
In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.
But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.
Twenty years later, Hazel is in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore to a career at Sotheby’s. With a charming boyfriend and her elegantly timeworn Bloomsbury flat, Hazel’s future seems determined. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing an illustrated book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars . Hazel never told a soul about the imaginary world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years?
As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling.
In the captivating novel "The Secret Book of Flora Lea" by Patti Callahan Henry, readers are transported to the idyllic coastal town of Flora Lea, South Carolina, where a long-held secret unfolds, entwining the lives of three women across generations.
The story begins in 1918, amidst the tumultuous years of World War I. Flora Lea is a young woman with a passion for gardening and a longing for adventure. Despite her family's objections, she embarks on a daring journey to France as a volunteer with the Red Cross, determined to make a difference in the lives of soldiers.
Decades later, in the 1990s, Sydney is a modern-day woman caught in a whirlwind of change. She returns to her family's ancestral home in Flora Lea, seeking solace and a sense of purpose. As she delves into her family's history, she stumbles upon a hidden cache of letters, revealing the untold story of Flora Lea's past.
In the present day, Clementine, a young woman with a troubled past, finds herself drawn to Flora Lea. She seeks escape from her troubled life and finds solace in the beauty and tranquility of the coastal town. As she explores the town's history, she becomes entangled in the lives of Flora Lea and Sydney, unraveling the secrets that bind them.
"The Secret Book of Flora Lea" is a poignant and captivating tale that weaves together the lives of three women from different eras, exploring themes of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit. With its rich storytelling and evocative descriptions, the novel takes readers on an emotional journey that resonates long after the last page is turned.
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