Garden Spells: A Novel (Waverly Family)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The beloved debut novel from the author of The Other Birds, about an enchanted tree and the extraordinary family that has tended it for generations
The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys have tended this garden. Their history is in the soil. But so are their futures.
A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.
When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house where they grew up, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other.
The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys have tended this garden. Their history is in the soil. But so are their futures.
A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.
When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house where they grew up, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other.
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Community Reviews
this book was really all about the ~aesthetic~ ... it was basically the definition of cottage-core. two sisters, one who gardens makes food out of the magical flowers she grows, another who has a rough past but can learn things about people from their hair, a small southern town where everyone knows everyone, and an enchanted apple tree? i was hooked from the beginning.
i loved the setting and the overall mood of it,, it definitely dealt with some heavy issues but overall it was quite lighthearted and breezy to read. the writing was simplistic which really added to the rustic mood of the whole thing. the book was often very generic in terms of the characters and their development though, which is why i took off one star, but i still enjoyed it!
i loved the setting and the overall mood of it,, it definitely dealt with some heavy issues but overall it was quite lighthearted and breezy to read. the writing was simplistic which really added to the rustic mood of the whole thing. the book was often very generic in terms of the characters and their development though, which is why i took off one star, but i still enjoyed it!
This book was mentioned by a character in "Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. I really like the sound of this book and am so glad I wrote it down! The characters, the town, all so magical. Literally!
Now reading the follow up " First frost".
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