Book Review and Giveaway: The Taste of Apple Seeds by Katharina Hagena



Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book, free of charge, from William Morrow, a Harper Collins Publisher, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it

Welcome to our stop on The Taste of Apple Seeds book blog tour!

The Taste of Apple Seeds cover


Synopsis:
THE TASTE OF APPLE SEEDS tells the story of young librarian Iris Berger. When Iris's grandmother dies, Iris is surprised to learn that she has inherited the house–a house she has not been in since her cousin Rosmarie's tragic death fifteen years before. But from her first step inside, the painful memories—and family secrets—instantly come flooding back. Allowing herself a week-long stay, she’ll ultimately have to decide this family treasure’s fate: keep it or sell it. As Iris reminiscesshe comes to realize the choice won’t be so simple, for her grandmother’s cottage is an enchanting place where currant jam tastes of tears, sparks fly from fingertips, love’s embrace makes apple trees blossom, and the darkest family secrets never stay buried. While trying to rememberand forgetIris chances upon an old childhood friend who might just be the answer she is looking for.

Review:

As you know I love to read books that have been published in Europe, as I think we miss out on a lot of great authors, by not being able to read them. This book was written in German, and this version is the English translation. Sometimes I wonder if the translator/editor makes or keeps a translated book from being huge. As, that could be the primary issue I had with this book. The scene was set beautifully, the characters were developed, but it felt like the plot line went all over the place and I found myself putting the down numerous times. It took me a week to finish it, which as you know is odd for me. The whole idea of the book sounded really great, but the book just didn't seem to achieve that story. Close, but not quite. This book isn't bad, just long for being such a short book. I really think with different editing and moving parts around, and putting in the answers to some unaswered questions, this could have been a book of the year. As it stands now, it is a good book, full of wonderful descriptions of a Germany that most of us don't know about.



About the Author: 
Katharina Hagena studied English and German Literature in Marburg, London and Freiburg, before lecturing at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Hamburg. Her first book, What the Wild Waves are Saying: the Walk Through the Odyssey, was published in 2006. The Taste of Apple Seeds is her breakout novel. She currently lives in Hamburg.


And I have a special giveaway with this blog tour today for you:

William Morriw is giving away an “Apple Tree To Be” Kit as the grand prize, as well as three copies of the book to 3 runner-ups.

Enter here:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


 THE TASTE OF APPLE SEEDS is available now at Amazon B&N iTunes IndieBound

Comments

  1. This book would be a treasure and wonderful. Apples are my favorite snack and fruit.Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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