Bestselling author Angela Petch has written another captivating and magical novel set in Italy. I was privileged to read an early review copy of The Lost Garden and will share my thoughts with you. But first, I wanted to know more about Angela and wondered if this lovely author always dreamed of writing novels. I invited Angela to write a letter to her sixteen-year-old self.
Dear Lala,
I’m using your family pet name to write this letter from the future.
You’re tall, a book worm and you love sport. English is your favourite subject. Whenever you meet a boy you like, you’re painfully shy and invariably taller than he. Your dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer is dashed by your Russian teacher because of your growth spurt. Be proud of your height: don’t slouch! Carry it well.
It’s time to choose your A-level subjects: French, German and English. (You’d love to study Italian, as you lived in Rome until two years ago). The tragedy of losing your little brother there in a drowning accident will haunt you for evermore but it will make you sensitive to people’s suffering.
Wow! You’ve chosen to study for Special English by yourself and you’ll go on to gain a distinction. You won’t read English at university because you think of it as a hobby. Instead, you choose Italian. If you’d read English as minor, maybe your writing might have started earlier.
This shyness of yours: it will stop you from living university-life to the full. You won’t try team sports until your third year, when you’re immediately selected. As a result, you fail to win your blues. Believe in yourself, Lala!
Your upbringing is sheltered: your father, although very loving. believes in preserving innocence for as long as possible. This protectiveness does nothing for your self-confidence.
I advise you to stand up for yourself; understand your opinions are as good as the next person’s. In the ninth book you will write many years later… Yes! You did it… perhaps you will realise the character of Tina has many of your traits. Tina’s father is over-protective, she is rather naïve, loves to lose herself in music and books and, eventually, through adversity, finds a way to becoming her own person. Like you.
Write what you know! “We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do.” (Martha Grimes, author). At sixteen you already know a lot about Italy. Little do you realise how much information you’ve absorbed and how useful this will be to your writing. You never dreamt you would be a published author one day, did you? If you had spread your sixteen-year-old wings, maybe your writing would be richer now. Maybe…
However, this letter might be totally pointless: the course of our lives shapes us and too many what-ifs and regrets amount to negativity. So, continue along your chosen path and be thankful for the enriching twists and turns. You’ve got this!
With love from one close to you.
My thoughts on The Lost Garden:
This novel had me a secret garden!
The Lost Garden is a story of innocence to experience, set against the backdrop of World War Two Italy and the fall of Mussolini. There is also a clever twist of supernatural in this stunning narrative.
Contessina Ernestina de Montesecco (Tina) inhabits an Italian castle with her over-bearing father. One day, she discovers her late mother’s secret garden, where secrets are hidden, and gains her first taste of freedom.
Reminiscent of the children’s novel – The Secret Garden – I was lost in the gorgeous imagery. The ruined garden reinforced the state of Italy at that time. Like a princess in a castle, Tina is protected from the outside world, until war rages and politics begin to shape her life. As the world changes and the reader walks through Italian history, Tina moves from innocence to experience. But there are many risks… And the countess with a ‘rebellious streak’ certainly does not want to be rescued by a prince!
With a fascist father and ‘wild’ peasant mother, Tina’s identity is full of contradictions until she finds a purpose and courage! Absolutely wonderful how Tina’s late mother’s influence is woven into the narrative.
This was a sweeping story of intrigue, secrets and mystery. I loved the twists and turns and slow burn romance. A completely captivating and emotional novel that I will never forget!
More about Angela:
Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award-winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.
Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.
The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.
Angela’s gripping WWII novels set in Italy are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.
More about The Lost Garden
It hides a family secret that could change the course of the war.
Italy, 1930s. Tina lives in the crumbling castle of Montesecco with only her strict father and their maid, Allegra, for company. She’s never been allowed to ask questions about her mother, who died in childbirth. But the day Tina discovers a hidden, crumbling door, everything changes.
Inside is an overgrown garden. Ivy and roses adorn the stone walls. Fresh water springs from a fountain and the scent of wild herbs fills the air. How did she never know this beautiful place existed? Excitedly begging Allegra for answers, the elderly woman’s face turns pale. ‘You must never mention this to your father. It’s not safe. You’ve found your mamma’s garden.’
The Count believes Tina’s mother died because of the garden: but Allegra refuses to say more. Certain she can feel her mother watching over her, Tina secretly tends to the garden herself. And when war breaks out, Tina’s encounters with local resistance fighters mean the garden becomes a place of refuge, a place of hope – and a place of great danger when Tina must prove where her loyalties lie once and for all…
Will Tina ever discover the truth about her mother? Or was the garden, with all its secrets, never meant to be disturbed?
An absolutely breathtaking and stunning historical novel about the incredible risks people took in wartime, family secrets, loss and love. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy and Santa Montefiore.
Read what everyone’s saying about Angela Petch:
‘Absolutely stunning… takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions… Captivating… devastatingly heartbreaking… My heart was in my throat and I had tears running down my eyes… DO NOT PICK THIS UP UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!… I completely fell in love.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow… captivating on-the-edge-of-your-seat story… Stunning… Broke my heart… This deeply moving novel pierced my heart… I highly recommend.’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Emotional, heart-wrenching and unforgettable… Beautifully written… Full of intrigue, emotion, drama and intensity… Touches the heart and will keep readers glued to its pages… Enthralling… Simply superb… Must-read.’ Bookish Jottings
Click on the photo of the novel to purchase the novel.
You can connect with Angela at:
Blog: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJaneClarePetch
Here are Angela’s other books:
The Postcard from Italy
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