The Last Garden in England
Page 35
12. While Venetia’s career was exceptional for her time period, World War II forced many women in 1944 to work when they otherwise might not have had the opportunity to pursue a trade. How did the war impact the lives Beth, Diana, Stella, Cynthia, and Matron were able to lead? How did their lives pave the way for women like Emma? How did the war change the lives of women the world over? If you were a woman in 1944, which job would you have liked to have had to help with the war effort?
13. Although Venetia is an independent career woman in 1907, and proudly states, “I have talent and artistry” (page 284), Mrs. Melcourt snaps back, “And I have a husband. I hold all of the cards, Miss Smith” (page 285). Discuss the ways in which female power has evolved over the last century. Was Mrs. Melcourt correct? How does female power and agency shift by 1944? By 2021? Does the “husband” standard still give women power today?
14. Beth accepts when Colin asks her to be “his girl” (page 182), but once she meets Captain Hastings, she chooses his hand in spite of Colin’s expectations of her. Later, Colin confronts her and questions her decision. He’s angry, and she retorts, “You just wanted a woman waiting at home for you, and that might have been enough for me in Dorking, but it isn’t enough for me now” (page 247). Do you think Colin was fair to Beth? Do you think Beth was fair to Colin? Have you ever felt pressure to commit to a relationship when your heart wasn’t fully in it?
15. Diana suffers a great deal of loss during the war, losing both her husband and her son. Her grief is acute, and it becomes clear that she also felt she lost a part of herself when she married and became a mother. What do you think of Bobby’s adoption? Of her choice to call him Robert, the given name he shared with Robin? Of the choice to bury the adoption papers and keep his true ancestry a secret? Do you think she ultimately finds peace? If so, do you agree with how she found it?
Enhance Your Book Club
1. In season 2 of Downton Abbey, the great house is converted into a convalescent home for injured soldiers. Although it takes place during World War I, it’s reminiscent of many of the hospital scenes in the The Last Garden in England. After reading this novel, binge a few episodes of Downton Abbey with your book club to imagine how one of England’s great houses would have functioned as part of the war effort.
2. The gardens from the novel are grand in scope, though each garden room has its own theme and personality. Beth finds comfort and inspiration in sketching them, and her drawings later instruct Emma’s restoration of Highbury House. Grab a sketchbook, colored pencils, or watercolors and pick a garden room to paint as you imagine it! Use the descriptions in the book to help you picture your own version of Highbury House’s expansive beauty.
3. Plan a trip to a local botanical garden! Learn which plants thrive in each season, and enjoy their beauty firsthand as a group.
4. Emma finds love, friendship, and community at the White Lion pub quiz nights. Take your book club out for a night of pub trivia in your neighborhood! Will you fare better than Menace to Sobriety?
More from the Author
The Whispers of War
The Light Over London
The Allure of Attraction
The Taste of Temptation
The Look of Love
The Governess Was Wild
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JULIA KELLY is the internationally bestselling author of books about ordinary women and their extraordinary stories. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer and journalist. Originally from Los Angeles, Julia now calls London home. Visit JuliaKellyWrites.com to learn more.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR:
SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Julia-Kelly
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Also by Julia Kelly
The Whispers of War
The Light Over London
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Gallery Books
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Julia Kelly
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First Gallery Books hardcover edition January 2021
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Interior design by Jaime Putorti
Jacket design by Laywan Kwan
Background © James Kerwin/Trevillion Images
Woman © Ildiko Neer/Trevillion Images
Flowers by Getty Images
Author photo by Scott Bottles
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Kelly, Julia, 1986– author.
Title: The last garden in England / Julia Kelly.
Description: First Gallery Books hardcover edition. | New York : Gallery Books, 2021.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020018853 (print) | LCCN 2020018854 (ebook) | ISBN 9781982107826 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781982107833 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781982107840 (ebook)
Subjects: GSAFD: Historical fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3611.E449245 L37 2021 (print) | LCC PS3611.E449245 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020018853
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020018854
ISBN 978-1-9821-0782-6
ISBN 978-1-9821-0784-0 (ebook)