The Writer in the Garden

By: M. F. K. Fisher, Jamaica Kincaid, Stephen Lacey, W. S. Merwin, Michael Pollan, Vita Sackville-West, Edith Wharton, Jane Garmey - editor

Narrated by: Boyd Gaines, Deborah Hazlett, Simon Jones, J. D. McClatchy

The Writer in the Garden adds up to a glorious compendium of writing that is amusing, original, and idiosyncratic. Excerpts span not only the beauties of the garden but such far-reaching topics as weeds, the tribulations of gardening in a cold climate, the dangers of rare plant collecting, the delights of weeding, the pitfalls of growing roses, and the place of "tacky" in a garden.

With selections carefully chosen from both sides of the Atlantic, this anthology pays homage to the great garden writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries while, at the same time, introducing the listener to some of the most original voices of today's generation of garden writers.

Books on gardening have become a marketing phenomenon. However, this is the first time an anthology of garden writing has appeared on audio. Impeccably read by a group of professional actors, this potpourri of philosophical meanderings, passionate observations, and practical advice is essential listening for all gardeners and garden lovers. The authors include Gertrude Jekyll, Vita Sackville-West, Abby Adams, Edith Wharton, Stephen Lacey, E. B. White, Beverly Nichols, Ken Druse, Eleanor Perenyi, W. S. Merwin, Mirabel Osler, Henry Mitchell, Jamaica Kincaid, Robert Dash, Sara B. Stein, Michael Pollan, M.F.K. Fisher, Anne Raver, Patti Hagan, and Paula Deitz.

©1996 Learning Designs. (P)1996 Learning Designs

Critic reviews

"A fun gathering of garden eccentrics and cranks of every radius." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Light, fun, and poorly made

As other reviewers have pointed out, this abridged version of the text adds in some bits not found in the book (an odd choice)--and, I'll add, makes some interesting decisions regarding which essays it keeps. I could've done without Michael Pollan's rather dripping ode to roses, or Eleanor Perényi's critiques of her hired garden help as being overweight and generally "mentally unstable."

On a technical note, while the selections are otherwise very enjoyable, with great jobs done by the narrators all around, whoever produced/directed this audiobook simply must not have liked gardens. Firstly, as the last word of one piece is ending the first word of the next is being spoken, giving the impression of the narrators shoving each other out of the way in an effort to get it all over with as quickly as possible. Secondly, the most awful electronic flute music plays at seemingly random intervals. There was also a moment of harsh static at one point. Not a production done with any care, it seems, and a disservice to the book.

Delightful

This is one of those rare books that I read fully expecting great disappointment, if not undisguisable dislike. Instead, I was greatly amused by this delightful and compelling collection of essays, poems, and short stories on or about gardening. It covers subjects of, venues for, victims of, inspirations deriving from, and perpetrators of home cultivation. I must, though, caution readers averse to directly interacting with dirt that after reading this book they may be tempted to till some backyard soil. So beware!

just a small irritation

I think all the quotes, poems, writings are lovely. many of the gardeners are my favorite garden writers. There only thing was that one section would barely end and the next begin without a pause, hardly a one narrator finish the last syllable spoke when it would run into the next section.

Interesting but puzzling

I own the print version of this book and, although I like the audio version I find it puzzling in that not all the selections came from the print version. For example, the audio version has an excerpt from The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which is not in the print version. in addition, the fact is that some of the entries seem "to step on each other's heels" - in some cases starting barely a second after the last one ends. Not all entries identify the author and title. The order of the excerpts is different from that of the print version. Nevertheless, despite what I see as drawbacks, I do recommend this audiobook.

Short pieces, pick and choose

Where does The Writer in the Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm enjoying this book immensely. Some of the excerpts send me to the favorite books or essays where they were born, and the narration ranges from quite acceptable to amazing. That the pieces are short makes it useful for bedtime stories or 'reading' while eating -- one sandwich, one chapter.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This can only be answered by saying that many favorite authors and writings are among the pieces.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Some of the essays and stories seem to bring the living voice of the writing to my ears, perhaps even (though the authors might disagree) the voice telling the tale in the courts of heaven that all writers hope for.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The only film I can imagine is a series of panoramas of the gardens and scenes described and I can't imagine what THAT tag like could be. (I'd like to see the film, though...)

One can listen to again and again!

What a wonderful, fun book! It's the sort of book one can listen to again and again.

wtf

the chapters are all out of order and just cut off in the middle of a sentence. are there no standards on this site!?

A major flaw in timing

Where does The Writer in the Garden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

near the top EXCEPT for a major flaw - there is no pause between the chapters, in fact each seems to start before the previous one has even ended - which is extremely annoying and jarring.

What three words best describe the narrators’s performance?

all excellent readers

Any additional comments?

The readers are all wonderful and end each reading on just the right note. If just a second or two were inserted between the chapters, it would make all the difference in the world.

Awful!

Pieces too short; hammy performances. This is not a professional compilation on any level.