A Garden of Secrets: Reflecting on Goldy Moldavsky’s Of Earthly Delights
When I first stumbled upon Goldy Moldavsky’s Of Earthly Delights, I couldn’t help but be drawn to its promise of a modern gothic romance intertwined with the intoxicating, and sometimes haunting, pulse of a mystical garden. As someone who thrives on the complexities of love stories edged with darkness, the premise triggered an irresistible curiosity within me. Moldavsky’s ability to craft narratives that delve deep into the emotional and psychological landscapes of her characters is remarkable, and this latest offering is no exception.
Right from the opening pages, we meet Rose Pauly, a New York City transplant grappling with the upheaval of her parents’ divorce. Her relocation to Meadow Falls—a town as pristine as it is peculiar—sets the stage for an exploration of love that morphs from innocent to unnervingly intense. The contrast between Rose’s chaotic city life and the seemingly perfect veneer of Meadow Falls resonates deeply, capturing the essence of how we often project our desires onto places and people. Rose’s introduction to the enigmatic Hart Hargrove, a boy with an affinity for the haunting and beautiful garden surrounding his family’s estate, leads us into a narrative that examines the ravaging effects of desire and the complexities of human connection.
Moldavsky’s world-building shines in Of Earthly Delights; the garden at Hemlock Hill emerges not just as a backdrop, but as a character in its own right. Each “garden room” harbors secrets that entice and ultimately ensnare both Rose and Hart, evoking a constant sense of wonder laced with danger. I found myself lingering over Moldavsky’s lush descriptions—every page bursts with vibrant detail that draws you into the intoxicating allure of this magical place: “The Wish Garden assaulted her senses with an overstimulation of sight, sound, smell.” Her prose has a cinematic quality that allows readers to feel every bloom and shadow, making the garden’s dark complexity palpable.
As the characters grapple with love, grief, and the weight of their desires, we witness profound transformations. Rose’s character arc from a conflicted artist to someone confronting the depths of her own feelings is quietly powerful. Hart, whose obsession with the garden and Rose blurs the lines between love and possession, raises thought-provoking questions about authenticity in relationships. Together with the supporting cast—especially the chaotic yet compelling Heather and the somewhat tragic Lowell—Moldavsky expertly elevates the tension, as each character becomes enmeshed in the garden’s dark influence, whether willingly or naively.
While I found the thematic exploration of free will, grief, and the price of desire both captivating and unsettling, there are moments where the pacing falters. The first third of the novel meanders a bit, laying groundwork that occasionally lacks the supernatural hints I anticipated. Still, as the story shifted perspective, revealing Hart’s desperate attempts to manipulate fate through the garden’s wishes, I was entranced—every twist brought me deeper into the spiral of their complex relationship.
In the end, Of Earthly Delights stands as a meditation on love’s illusions and the haunting nature of grief. It’s a poignant reminder that our dreams can come at a cost—a theme that resonates long after you’ve turned the last page. This book will surely captivate anyone who enjoys richly layered narratives that challenge the boundaries of love and morality, leaving much to ponder. As for me, this enchanting, if occasionally disquieting, journey through Moldavsky’s realm has stirred within me a deeper appreciation for the tangled roots of desire—roots that often lead us to unexpected and profound revelations.
If you’re seeking a story that intertwines beauty and darkness with an introspective lens, I wholeheartedly recommend diving into Of Earthly Delights. It might just have you questioning the very nature of love itself.