Preview
  • The Illegal Gardener

  • The Greek Village Series, Volume 1
  • By: Sara Alexi
  • Narrated by: Suzanne Heathcote
  • Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (253 ratings)

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The Illegal Gardener

By: Sara Alexi
Narrated by: Suzanne Heathcote
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Publisher's summary

A delightful glimpse into the lives of two very different people who became friends and were both better for it. A rare friendship that changed their lives and may change yours a bit too.

©2012 Sara Alexi (P)2014 Sara Alexi
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What listeners say about The Illegal Gardener

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A charming listen, great narration.

Sat on the beach & listened. Fit the bill, not heavy and not a mindless bodice-ripping romance.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable, gentle read.

Though it took me a few chapters to get into this book, ultimately I enjoyed it very much. Nice story on so many levels. Narration nicely done.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

mountain reader

This book was wonderful. It was funny, sad, inspirational and heartwarming. The characters were so believable, you feel their emotions right along with them. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

No Need for a Notepad

I found this to be a pleasant, light listen, where I didn't need a notepad to keep track of dates or a cast of characters. I got a glimpse of life in a Greek village and the illegal immigrant situation in Greece. I very much enjoyed the friendship that developed between Juliet and Aaman and seeing how each helped the other to stop running and to be open to friendship and love.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming

I listen to many different genres of books but most often they are thrillers, sci-fi or murder mysteries. Every so often I tire of these and long to just listen to a good story. And this book is a good story. I loved it. It held my interest from start to finish - the places, the hardships, the joys. Bravo Sara Alexi.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

This story is so beautiful and authentic. Just wonderful. Great narration too. You will not be disappointed.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

an enjoyable story

interesting story which tells lightly of how it is for immigrants and some of the struggles they have just trying to make a little money to better their lives.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good book

Loved the gentleness of voice and the flow of the writing. Not the most exciting plot out there but good none the less...wholesome.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Easy Listen - Nice Escape to Greece

Listening to the Illegal Gardener by Sara Alexi was like a quick trip to Greece. I loved listening to how the village celebrated Easter; as a Greek Orthodox American, it brings up fond memories of my family's celebrations. I just wished that Sara Alexi had included more of the native language. Suzanne Heathcote does an excellent job with the various accents and male and female voices. The story has a certain lightness, despite including themes of childhood trauma, grief, prejudice, immigration, and racism. However, it's also a story about perseverance and independence. A great beach read or listen about two people better off having met one another.
I am looking forward to reading more of the series.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Listen, Sweet, Maybe Too Sweet...

I did enjoy this novel and the audio performance was flawless. The story was a bit simplistic and although the author does explore the hardships which are faced by the illegal immigrants in Greece (and elsewhere in this world); the tragedy of these lives could have been better developed. The story centers around the life of a middle-age woman who has moved to Greece to start a new life for herself. She develops a friendship with her "illegal gardener" and, from there, the reader is given a glimpse both into the woman's pursuit to build a new life and of the life of the gardener whose life is vastly more difficult and impoverished. It was fun to hear about the Greek countryside and people. There is a lightness to the book which is enjoyable while at the same time it borders on trite. I would have enjoyed deeper character development. Ms. Alexi is an excellent writer in terms of prose and grammar. If you are looking for a "light" read which has a little cultural exploration in it, this might just be the book for you.

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5 people found this helpful