Rose's Garden: A Novel

There is no greater gift than a book found at a bargain price ..., new and lovely, WITH a fabulously, gentle tale of love. No syrupy love this, but a romance of everlasting grace, the story of aged Conrad who so deeply grieves the loss of his Rose, his wife and life's companion, that he would like to die. Then, early on, Conrad sees the Angel Lemuel, and other mystical things begin to happen which transform his death wish into the rest of his LIFE! This lovely little story reaffirms the belief that life is to be lived, that a great love need not die, that grief is just another step in life's journey. And with the graceful story telling style of a Jan Karon, Carrie Brown's first novel, though only discovered a few week's ago by me, becomes a new treasure in this reader's life. How could someone so young as Carrie Brown imagine the great truths of life? Well she has; and they are waiting in this little book for your opening. There is a beautiful message here as one grieving man finds the wider world just outside his grief in his own community, one his Rose always knew.

"Rose's Garden" marks a stunning debut for author Carrie Brown.When Conrad's wife of many years passes away, he falls into despair. A few years later, the garden Rose kept so carefullyon Paradise Hill shows neglect, also. But one spring, the garden blooms with a remarkable abundance, paving the way for the appearance of an Angel in Rose's Garden.Conrad strives to share his visitation with the town's folk who knew and loved Rose. In doing so, he discovers a world he never knew in the townsfolk who knew and loved Rose. Ms. Brown's unusual tale artfully weaves the magical into the ordinary. The end result is a rare, one of a kind, expression of the power of love.Don't miss this haunting story.

I was mesmerized by the lyrical quality of Carrie Brown's writing. The beauty of the book is not so much in the substance of the story -- though that's good -- but in the way the text lifts you away to a dearer, purer place. The soaring doves and the verdant garden transported me. I kept thinking how wondrous the book would be as a movie, with Paul Neuman as Conrad Morrisey, the widower. It would take great skill, however, to convey visually the mystical and moving quality of this work. I loved it!

Once in a great while a writer with the talent and eloquence of a Carrie Brown graces us with her work. As a reader, I knew on page one I was in for a special treat. As a writer, I am in awe of the manner in which Brown crafts each phrase, describes each scene, wrenches your heart as you feel the emotions of each character. "Rose's garden" is the story of a older man struggling to deal with the loss of his life partner. It is the simple, beautiful story of a life-long love--and how one chooses to go on once that love is torn away. Brown deals with a most difficult subject while pulling us into the lives of these two people and the other colorful characters in the small town where they live. If you like novels with contrived plots and hip 90's slang, "Rose's Garden" isn't for you. If, however, you long for novels written with love and care, crafted to make you think and feel, then give Carrie Brown a try. You won't be disappointed.