The Shanghai research and inspiration behind The Jade Lily
“The narrative of this book employs the best attributes of fiction and authenticity to seamlessly span two unique worlds, past and present. As a result, it is a compelling read as well as richly informative.
Like Horst, I was very pleased to be asked to share our individual, and unusual, stories of our Shanghai experiences. All of us from that milieu believe that we grew up in a unique city at a most unique time in history, never to be repeated!”
“from the moment I started reading THE JADE LILY, I knew I wanted to publish it. The book spoke to me on so many levels-as an exploration of an-unknown-to-me part of Jewish and Chinese history, as a well-researched look at the harsh realities of war, and, ultimately, as a beautiful story of what it means to be a family and what one is willing to do for love. ”
Former Jewish refugee, Sam Moshinsky shares his experience of Shanghai.
Horst Eisfelder shares photographs and chats about his time in Shanghai
“As a survivor of the once considerable Jewish refugee community in wartime Shanghai, I am very much impressed by this novel that captures the experiences of a family from Vienna that found itself in a very strange and alien land, by circumstances not of their own choosing.”
Praise for THE MIDSUMMER GARDEN
‘Given the passion of Kirsty Manning, the ease at which she slips into the quintessential lifestyle of the author, and with another novel in the works, there is no doubt The Midsummer Garden will not be the last we see of her.’ Herald Sun
'This is a rich, sensual, and evocative novel, fragrant with the smell of crushed herbs and flowers, and haunted by the high cost that women must sometimes pay to find both love and their vocation…' Kate Forsyth, author of Bitter Greens and Beauty in Thorns.
‘A delightful debut.’ Adelaide City Messenger
‘A satisfying read, bound to delight Kate Morton fans.’ – Natasha Boyd, Book Bonding Bookstore
The Midsummer Garden is an evocative, lyrical tale of the search for identity by two unforgettable women, separated by history. It's a journey of passion through food, the natural world - and love - towards personal fulfilment. Manning displays her knowledge of gardening, ancient herbs and food as the two story lines intersect and move towards their powerful conclusion. At times I felt I could almost smell the herbs and taste the food as I turned the pages. A fictional Eat Pray Love that all lovers of food and wine will devour.
Sally Hepworth, author of the bestselling The Mother's Promise, The Secrets of Midwives and The Things We Keep
