Where Lilacs Still Bloom: A Novel

If you love flowers and reading about a saga of a family in Oregon around the turn of the century,you will enjoy this. It isn't a mystery or adventure but a true story about farmers and how the mothercreated gorgeous gardens developed over 200 Lilac varieties. Her house and gardens are still open tothe public to enjoy.

REVIEW OF JANE KIRKPATRICK'S WHERE LILACS STILL BLOOMThe story of how Jane Kirkpatrick came to write of where lilacs bloom is as delightful as her depiction of a life well and beautifully lived. The writer knew of Hulda Klager but a passionate devotee gradually tweaked Kirkpatrick's interest until her great research skills and imagination were fully engaged. The result is a charming and insightful characterization of a woman obsessed with ideas of hybridization.The story develops from Hulda's success in producing a tastier, easier-to-peel pie-apple to her world renown lilacs with tales of her father's undoubting support to her husband's eventual conversion and participation. Others were vocal about her "sin" in altering God's designs; she worried that she wasn't a good enough wife or mother, sacrificing her family to her work. The strain on Hulda brought her to a dark place when doubt and multiple losses threw her into a year-long battle with depression. Kirkpatrick probes the depth of Hulda's personality with a finely tuned fork, showing the reader her quirks and strengths.Plants were not the only thngs to be nurtured in Hulga's realm. She opened her doors to young girls in need of a home and education, something Hulga felt she lacked with her grammar school training. The girls and the young boys she hired to work in her gardens benefitted from her influence as did many others she met along her path.WHERE LILACS STILL BLOOM falls well within Jane Kirkpatrick's style: based on a real, well researched historical character, interpreted masterfully, with a message to deliver and an educational edge. Altogether, LILACS is a lovely read.

As a child, I walked to school past towering lilacs, white, lavender, pink. Their scent was enveloping, and heralded the last month of school. When we built our home in Monroe, Georgia, I so yearned for that smell. But Georgia, with its heat is not welcoming to those gentle blossoms. But I had one scraggly lilac whose fragrance was perfect. What a joy it was to relocate to within forty miles of Hulda's incredible garden, and to visit it last spring in Woodland in all its glory. And now I have two Klager lilacs about to bloom.This book tells the amazing history of that woman's persistence and vision, a vision she was able to spread from one end of the country to another, and of the people who, after the devastating flood which utterly destroyed her life's work, and the threat of a neglected garden about to be plowed under for development and lost forever, reclaimed by women in the community. For anyone who's ever hoped and planted, a wonderful story, but do have your hankie close by.

Jane Kirkpatrick is a great author! You can read one of her books or all of a series and be mesmerized either way. I chose them at first as the series had to do with Grays Harbor area of Washington state of which I am familiar. She has done so much research and with such grace in her heart she shows how necessary it is to have the Lord in your heart. But "Where the Lilacs Bloom" is the tops so far! I don't think she can out do herself! Tears and joy I experienced reading it. How many times I have gone up and down I-5 and just looked at that Hulda Klager Lilac Garden sign....well believe me I will make it up there about May to walk Huldas paths and get lost in her fulfilled dreams in that book!

Growing up in a neighborhood of many lilac bushes that we picked blooms from every year made this book a delight to read. Stirred many memories. Totally loved Hulda and her family and the simple way they lived. Each of her children sharing her love of the garden but yet developing their own individuality. Her husband recognizing her love and passion then encouraging and helping her nurture it. Jane Kirkpatrick captures me with her detail and style of writing.

I am blessed to live in Vancouver, WA not far from Woodland, WA and have had the glorious pleasure of visiting Hulda Klager's Lilac Gardens and Home at least half a dozen times. I shared my adventure about my Visit with my son and his wife and they thought it sounded amazing and so we visited it together the following Mother's Day and it has become a yearly Mother's Day Tradition. I highly recommend the experience of stepping back in time and walking the grounds, visiting the gift shop, and touring Hulda and Frank's home. And yes, you can still purchase Lilac starts there.Jane Kirkpatrick did a fabulous job on this Historical Fiction of the Amazing Life of Hulda Klager...I highly recommend it!!

Bought this book as I planned a visit to this garden that is near where I live. I read it before going and found it fascinating. It helped me understand what I saw in her house and garden. One of my friends is also reading it now that we have gone to the garden, and is glad she waited until we went to read it.

The beginning was confusing as the characters blended without clear relationships, but the ending was compelling as they all fit together in an amazing, true story. Half way through I visited the Klager garden in Woodland. It was after Mother's Day and raining. The garden is smaller than I expected, and very little was in bloom. I will return next year earlier. I appreciate all lilacs more now, and am impressed with owners who know they have a Klager bloom.

The book was perfect and a delight to read. I highly recommend it. Excellent author.However, about a random 1/3 of the book had the top corners stuck together and the cover looked older, bent and used.I am not sure if it was previously read or what happened. I believe Amazon sold me a used book?