Dear Friend and Gardener: Letters on Life and Gardening
 RRP £14.99 Lowest New Price £4.99 
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Frances Lincoln Number of pages: 256 Language: English (Original Language) Language: English (Unknown) Language: English (Published) |
RRP: £14.99
Gardening Friends
Review date: 2008-02-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
I've heard about this book at the GARDEN BLOGGER'S BOOK CLUB.
This is a collection of letters between two english gardener friends, Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd in a period of two years (1996-97).
I loved the book. Didn't know any of the authors, their gardens or their written work. I loved to 'meet' them in this book. I was sorry to know that Christopher Lloyd passed away a few years ago but I would love to visit his garden, still open to public. From the two authors, Christo looked the most fascinating character.
It's a very british book. Funny and entertaining. Definetly to gardening lovers.
The only negative thing I have to say was about knowing, at the end, that the letters were written thinking of beeing published in a book. It takes a bit of the expontaneous aspect of it. But the best is there, the gardening opinions, the garden comentaries and experiencies on the author's own gardens, the different seasons passing by and a lot more.
All of this made the reading of this book a great pleasure.
Reviews
An informative gardening manual in letter form.
Review date: 2006-02-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
The title of this book,'Dear Friend and Gardener' should immediately alert the reader to its logical content. 'Social: They were like - minded people enjoying each other's company and 'Horticultural'. For any keen gardener or anyone wishing to become one, it is a 'MUST' to be given to charity only when one knows as much as its authors. True, I am only part-way through, but after the first 4/5 letters I felt a need to thank them. Sadly Christopher Lloyd has recently died. The comments made by each, are first and foremost, about the beauty THEY see in the form and colour of plants and the 'planting -artistry' they both appreciated. The highs and lows of their work, so vulnerable to the elements, are treated with a shared humour with which the reader could easily identify; The artist within them, appreciated equally, 'singers and actors' whether on a stage, or in the form of flowers on a garden hillside. I doubt if many would think to stop to admire 'snow flowers' i.e. snow, settled on top of flattish heads of plants and, have the ability to 'take in' their suggested form perhaps for re-use in another way later on in gardens they have made for all to wander through and be refreshed. Above all, their words have already taught me that after 70+ years of (I called it gardening) I actually know very, very little. Finally, I suggest a look at the index pages will point the reader to a page where it does not just say (e.g.) 'Crocus': Yellow, Opening early spring! NO, instead, it tells of a tiny blush or a line or a colour, deep in its base; where it is growing, and whether or not it is doing well. Without exception each plant is given the same loving and minute attention. I suggest any keen gardener will do well to treat this most informative book, similarly.
Diary between two gardeners
Review date: 2002-08-13 Rating: 4 out of 10
I looked forward to reading this book, but after a short while found it somewhat boring.I am a very keen gardener and was eager to learn more from their letters, however I felt as if I was reading someone's diary of social events.Interest was totally lost when comments were made about Geoff Hamilton who apparently only succeeded at a "mundane level".It has been consigned to the charity bag.
Enjoyable for anyone interested in gardening and plants
Review date: 2001-07-31 Rating: 8 out of 10
I am only half way through this book, but I have no reservation in recommending it. It's a book to dip in and out of, to pick up and read for a short break from the daily grind. It is amusing and informative.
The book contains a collection of letters exchanged between Beth & Christopher over the course of a year. The letters are about their lives in relation to their gardens and contain details of outings and visits to other gardens and countryside, as well as their day to day gardening activities, and what is in flower as they write. They exchange views on different plants, planting combinations and on the shared experience of running a garden that is reknowned and open to the public. Through their letters we are given a glimpse into their lives,their friendship and their opinions, and their quest for beauty and colour in the garden throughout the year.
My only critism is that unless you are a very learned gardener, some of the latin plant names may be outside your knowledge and therefore some of the planting combinations will be a mystery to you. However, this is encouraging me to try and find out the plants common names and appearance.
In the words of my friend who gave me this book as a present, "the title says it all".
Product Details/Specifications
Authors:
Beth Chatto
Christopher Lloyd
Recording label: Frances Lincoln
Manufacturer: Frances Lincoln
EAN: 9780711212275
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey decimal number: 635
ISBN: 0711212279
Number of items: 1
Number of pages: 256
Publication date: 1998-04-02
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Published)
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