Kate Morton had made her debut with the novel The House at Riverton in 2006, which was a great success. The young author immediately gained recognition in literary circles and was treated as a writer of big hopes. Kate Morton did not disappoint her fans, and each two years the world greeted her books. In 2008 it was the novel The Forgotten Garden and in 2010 The Distant Hours. The Distant Hours was recognized as #1 bestseller in Sunday Times, and New York Times bestseller.
The novel was very warmly accepted by both critics and reading audience. The book is sad and bright at the same time. Depiction of unfulfilled desires and hopes, and the story of three sisters depicted from childhood, from youth to death produce a sad atmosphere to the novel overall. And the most tragic place is given to the war.
The novel investigates some of social comments as well. It touches parents – children relationships, on how an obsession of parents with some idea can ruin the lives of children, prevent them from becoming what they would like to be. It touches the theme of war and how it leaves its mark on the lives of people. The interweaving of people's destinies, their secrets, random events, careless actions - all this is described in the book, and the background is an ancient castle, the walls of which are ticked by distant watches, whispering about everything that could have happened, but didn’t.
The story is written in a very rich and beautiful language, the interweaving of secrets and mysteries, the gloomy and sinister atmosphere, and even the weather on the pages of the novel is consistent. The events in the novel unfold in two time periods, during the Second World War and in 1992.
