The Forgotten Garden

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Which aspects of Morton’s narrative structure spanning three different timelines did you find most effective in revealing the mystery of Nell’s abandonment?

2. Which fairy tale elements within the novel resonated most strongly with you, and why?

3. When comparing The Forgotten Garden to Morton’s other works, like The Secret Keeper or The Clockmaker’s Daughter, what similarities or differences in atmosphere and emotional impact did you notice?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. When Nell tells Cassandra she is “a survivor,” how does her understanding of survival resonate with you?

2. Which character’s struggle with identity did you find most relatable to your own life experiences?

3. What places in your life hold special significance that connects you to your past or family history, similar to Cliff Cottage for the characters?

4. Eliza uses fairy tales to process her experiences. What role do stories play in your life?

5. What was your reaction to the revelation that Eliza was Nell’s mother, and have you ever experienced a surprising discovery about your own family?

Explore broader implications and cultural relevance.

1. What similarities or differences do you see between the social class distinctions of early 20th-century England and those of contemporary societies?

2. How do women’s choices and autonomy evolve across the three time periods presented in the novel?

3. What does the novel suggest about the ethics of the Mountrachet family’s acquisition of wealth and status?

Examine technical and thematic elements.

1. What symbolic role does the walled garden play throughout the novel? How does its function compare to that of the garden in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden?

2. What functions do Eliza’s fairy tales serve within the larger story?

3. Compare and contrast how Eliza, Nell, and Cassandra approach their respective searches for identity and belonging after experiencing abandonment.

4. What narrative purpose does the white suitcase serve?

5. What significance do photographs, sketches, and paintings hold in this narrative about forgotten histories?

Encourage imaginative interaction with the text.

1. Outline or draft a fairy tale in Eliza’s style. How does your story reflect an important aspect of your own life?

2. What three objects would you place in a suitcase to represent your own life story?

3. How would you honor the history of Cliff Cottage and its garden if you were in Cassandra’s position?

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