Garden Spells: A Novel

by Sarah Addison Allen

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.

• ISBN10: 055338483X
• ISBN13: 9780553384833
• Publish Date: 29 April 2008 (first published 1 January 2007)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Ballantine Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780553384833

Reviews

[Leigha]

The Waverly sisters learn to love in this heartwarming southern novel.

I read Garden Spells when it was first published (almost ten years ago!). Since I couldn't remember much of the plot, I decided to listen to the audio book from the library. This novel really does an amazing job entwining three narratives - Clair, Sydney, and Evanelle - together in a romantic, lyrical journey. Each Waverly is a unique individual, each with her own struggles and tribulations. It's a beautifully written book with striking imagery of a small, southern town. The only problem for me was the conflict at the end. After the buildup for a showdown, it really just felt anticlimactic and messy.

I enjoyed the audio book. The narrator created a dynamic story, although more distinction between Clair and Sydney's voices was needed. Sometimes I had a hard time knowing which sister was speaking if they shared a scene.

tl;dr A delightfully coming home story full of friendship, love, and romance.

[Kim Deister]

The debut novel from Sarah Addison Allen., Garden Spells is a captivating story woven with magic and fantasy. It enchanted me from the opening sentence! It centers around two sisters, Claire and Sydney Waverley, who have finally come together many years later. Their family has a long history of having some rather odd gifts and abilities, and have always been outsiders in their hometown of Bascum, North Carolina. Some members of the family had been able to escape it, like the womens’ mother. Sydney herself had escaped a decade prior, returning with her small daughter, Bay. Claire is a caterer who uses edible flowers in her dishes, which notably causes some rather odd effects in those that eat them. When Sydney returns unexpectedly, the two women find themselves finally bonding as sisters and as women.

As the story developed, I found myself caught up in Claire’s story as she struggled to open herself up to other people after many years of isolating herself emotionally. Sydney’s story was equally engaging, as she tried to get past the pain of her past and to rediscover herself. Both stories are woven with magic and romance and creates a truly beautiful read. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking for something beautiful!

- See more at: http://thecaffeinateddivareads.multifacetedmama.com/?p=264#sthash.meaWQeh1.dpuf

[MurderByDeath]

I put off reading this book for a long time because I figured it had to be one of those emotionally manipulative tear jerkers, but the lure of a book with magic and the recommendation of a trusted book-twin had me cracking it open. Just a lovely, brilliant book that grabbed me from the first page. Each character came to life vividly and I just didn't want to stop reading about any of them. I genuinely enjoyed that the author did *not* take us down the clichéd path with Sydney or with Fred - in a book all about magic (or mostly about magic), the author chose to take the more realistic path. The book's climax is predictable, given the plot points, but thank you Ms. Addison Allen for not drawing it out and making it any more melodramatic than it needed to be. It was just right - and deliciously ironic.

My only complaint: I truly feel that poor old apple tree is just horribly mis-understood.

I'll be re-reading this book often.

[violetpeanut]

I'm only just starting Chapter 3 and so far this book is exactly like Practical Magic. So much so that I don't know if I even want to continue reading it. If it were a longer book I don't think I would. Since it's fairly short I'll finish it and hope that along the way it veers off the already beaten path

Update 3/22: Finished. This ended up being a cute "feel-good" kind of story about people accepting their pasts, who they are and moving on. It's still very similar to Practical Magic and was veeeeery predictable so I can't give it more than 3 stars but it's an enjoyable read that would be perfect for the beach or summer relaxation.

[ladygrey]

For a first novel this is very well done. I adore the way she takes intangible emotions and thoughts and things that swirl around us as human being and gives them substance and texture. More mystical than supernatural, the flourish to the world we know is intriguing; the characters are well developed and likable; and the garden is fantastic. Even with similarities to [b:The Giving Tree|370493|The Giving Tree|Shel Silverstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1174210942s/370493.jpg|30530] and [b:Practical Magic|22896|Practical Magic|Alice Hoffman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490354120s/22896.jpg|4030671] this is a book all its own, and an enjoyable one at that.
My one caution is that the bits of sex come out of no where on occasion. It almost seemed like [a:Sarah Addison Allen|566874|Sarah Addison Allen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1372537232p2/566874.jpg] felt obligated to put them in since it was supposed to be a romance, since there were moments when the story would have been perfectly complete without them.

"All my life I've chased dreams of what could be. For the first time in my life, I've actually caught one."

[Eve1972]

I LOVED this one! It very much reminded me of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. I know your not suppose to judge a book by it's cover, but man did this one just suck me in. I knew I was going to really enjoy this book just by looking at it! lol I thought the characters were charming and quirky, the plot lovely and the writing just magical! Is it going to win any awards, no, but if you want to curl up and spend an afternoon reading something sweet and yummy, then this is the book for you.