The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

The new heartbreaking and gripping historical novel that will leave you spellbound this summer

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on Waterstones.com
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 6 Feb 2020 | Archive Date 6 Feb 2020

Talking about this book? Use #TheForgottenLettersOfEstherDurrant #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

'I loved this exquisitely written novel and drank in every word. The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant is a reminder of the redemptive nature of love, and that it can be found in the most unexpected places.' Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker's Gift and The Beekeeper's Promise

An abandoned woman...

1951. Esther Durrant, a young mother, is committed to an asylum by her husband. Run by a pioneering psychiatrist, the hospital is at first Esther's prison - but can captivity lead to freedom?

A forbidden love...

2018. When free-spirited marine scientist Rachel Parker is forced to take shelter on an isolated island off the Cornish Coast during a research posting, she discovers a collection of hidden love letters. Captivated by their passion and tenderness, Rachel is determined to find the intended recipient.

A dangerous secret...

Meanwhile, in London, Eve is helping her grandmother write her memoirs. When she is contacted by Rachel, it sets in motion a chain of events that threatens to reveal secrets kept buried for more than sixty years.

Three women bound together by a heartbreaking secret.
A love story that needs to be told.

This beautifully haunting and atmospheric novel, will sweep fans of Kate Morton, Elizabeth Gilbert and Emily Gunnis away this summer.

'If you enjoyed "City of Girls," by Elizabeth Gilbert, read "The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant," by Kayte Nunn' Washington Post

NetGalley reviewers are falling in love with The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant:

'Loved, loved this book. The multi layers wove an intriguing tale, and this was a well researched engaging and heart rending story.'

'Beautifully written'

'An absorbing tale set mainly in the Channel Islands. I wanted to know what the resolution would be, so stayed up to read to the end!'

Praise for Katye Nunn's The Botanist's Daughter:

'A sweeping and exotic read. I was completely swept away. Perfect for readers of Kate Morton.' Lorna Cook, bestselling author of 'The Forgotten Village'

'The whole book is a delight... Perfect reading whilst sipping a g & t in a beautiful garden somewhere in the sun!' Rosanna Ley, bestselling author of 'The Lemon Tree Hotel'

'I loved this book and really look forward to reading the next book by Kayte Nunn; perfect for reading in the garden with a glass of something cold.' Bookliterat

'Fast-moving and full of surprises...while delivering a poignant and heart-warming story of romance and new beginnings ' Kate Forsyth

'The Botanist's Daughter is a quick paced but mysterious read, which transports you across time and place and is filled with an abundance of flowers.' Foreword Books

'The Botanist's Daughter is an intriguing story about the strength of women who, for their own reasons, are willing to travel halfway across the world and end up with the same goal. It's also a family mystery that slowly reveals its secrets, just like a blooming flower.' The Bookish Gurl 5/5 stars

'I loved this exquisitely written novel and drank in every word. The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant is a reminder of the redemptive nature of love, and that it can be found in the most...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781409190561
PRICE £8.99 (GBP)
PAGES 384

Available on NetGalley

Send to Kindle (PDF)

Average rating from 18 members


Featured Reviews

Loved, loved this book. The multi layers wove an intriguing tale, and this was a well researched engaging and heart rending story.

Was this review helpful?

There’s something about a novel with a hidden cache of letters that really gets the hair on the back of my neck tingling with excitement. When it’s a novel that’s this good and immersive, it’s the best thing a historical fiction fan could hope for.

There's lots to love here - a spooky island where a woman is sent to a mental asylum against her will. Horrifying enough but then you realise that the author has added a personal touch to this story and my heart started to bleed for her. What a remarkable thing for an author to do, to weave such a personal and heartbreaking tale into a novel. Kudos to her for doing it as it makes for such a powerful read.

Fuller review to come nearer the time but what I would say is that: I do like a dual time line novel but when it’s structured and intertwined as this,then I cheer inside. Then I remember the author’s brave acknowledgment at the end and I want to hug her.

It's themes of women, female ' mental health' and the treatment of women in general is heartbreaking but necessary to read about. Past and present stories combine really effectively and the true scale of the setting and issues come to the fore.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: