Catie Marron

I am realizing that this might actually be a book I would enjoy if I had experienced it as something other than an audiobook -- it would definitely be improved by visuals.

I want to be kind about it -- as a fellow reader and gardener, I enjoy how Marron weaves the two together. I have great compassion for her grief and the solace the garden gives.

Ultimately, however, there are many reasons why this book was not for me. It reeks of privilege -- moving from the house on Long Island to the house in Connecticut, with its rolling acres of land; the ability to hire garden designers to do work for you, to garden in company with garden designers (are the hired to do the work for her? Are they friends stopping by?); and the flat-out blind spot of holding up our "founding fathers" as wonderful gardening inspirations -- ugh, really? You think Jefferson was out there doing his own digging? You're not even going to acknowledge the slave labor that went into Monticello? Or to Washington's farms?… (mais)

I wish I could give this book a 5 + 5 star rating because I loved this book that much.

Incorporating a practical, artistic, visual, and philosophical view of what gardening can do for us personally, it touched me on so many levels. Books are often called avenues of escape. But how often do you find one that you can return to again and again, escaping into a different adventure each time?

You can do two things with this book, read to learn and gather information or browse through the gallery of fabulous photography and beautiful watercolors. But don't rush either because you'll miss something wonderful if you do.

From the planning stage to the finished garden and everything in between. New and seasoned gardeners will find this book a delight. And it's a book you'll want to share or gift to others.

I encourage you to stop by my Youtube channel where I do a Flip-through Review of this book. My channel name: Books and IckyChicDesigns on Etsy
https://youtu.be/UEmud16schI

I thank HarperCollins Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book.… (mais)