Karel Capek's The Gardener's Year is a timeless classic of wit and wisdom, sure to capture the heart and imagination of every gardener--indeed, everyone who has pursued any hobby with a passion that occasionally overrides good common sense. Originally published more that fifty years ago in Czechoslovakia, it transcends the years with grace and ease. Whether Capek is talking about the lack or surfeit of rain, the fruitless search for space to plant just a few more perennials, or the unfathomable mystery of the green thumb, ...
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Karel Capek's The Gardener's Year is a timeless classic of wit and wisdom, sure to capture the heart and imagination of every gardener--indeed, everyone who has pursued any hobby with a passion that occasionally overrides good common sense. Originally published more that fifty years ago in Czechoslovakia, it transcends the years with grace and ease. Whether Capek is talking about the lack or surfeit of rain, the fruitless search for space to plant just a few more perennials, or the unfathomable mystery of the green thumb, his words strike chord upon chord within every gardener, in every time and place. Fifty-eight sprightly drawings by Karel Capek's brother Josef Capek, lend themselves perfectly to the artful simplicity and humour of this book. Through the year, Capek does battle with the garden hose, learns the value of patience in spring, prays to the Lord for rain (but only on certain parts of the garden, please), buys far too many plants at every opportunity, curses raspberry canes that invade from his neighbor's garden, routs stones from the soil (they seem to grow from spores), and agonizes continually about the garden while he is on vacation in August. In short, Karel Capek is a gardener, timeless, with all the frailties, hope, and boundless optimism necessarily shared by all gardeners. After the sun sets, he leans on his spade and sighs with deep content: "I have sweated today!"
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Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $3.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by The University of Wisconsin Pres.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $3.00, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by The University of Wisconsin Pres.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $3.89, very good condition, Sold by The Maryland Book Bank rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from baltimore, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by University of Wisconsin Press.
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $6.00, good condition, Sold by Best and Fastest Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wantage, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by University of Wisconsin Press.
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Good solid paperback with moderate reading/age wear, may have some light markings, pages may have some mild tanning. We take great pride in accurately describing the condition of our books and media, ship within 48 hours, and offer a 100% money back guarantee. Customers purchasing more than one item from us may be entitled to a shipping discount.
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $24.38, new condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by The University of Wisconsin Press.
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $33.37, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by The University of Wisconsin Pr.
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $35.00, very good condition, Sold by Robinson Street Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Binghamton, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by The University of Wisconsin Press.
Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $78.90, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1984 by The University of Wisconsin Press.
This book is a great gift for anybody that enjoys gardening. The crazier they are about it the more this little book will shine humor on their life. I found this book while researching Czech literature and it is simply a lighthearted, funny and witty book whose illustrations are key to maximize ones enjoyment. You might compare it to Beverley Nichols's "Down the Garden Path", well you might do that, but they are not the same, if anything this book gibes at that style of gardening book. Then again, it has enough interesting information that one does learn a few thing, although that is not the intent. Karl Capek may be dead and his literature has made him immortal. THIS book is written by a literary genius about a subject he just loved. You can tell he just wants to share the bounty of the avocation of gardening.
Great gift for any gardener! I refer to it throughout the growing season just for a quick monthly laugh.
snowlion
Jul 9, 2009
Fun, funny, witty
I'm not one to read this type of essay, ruminations on gardening. I'd rather be out there, dirt under my nails and thorns stuck in my leg, making my own poetry. This book fell into my lap as a recommendation, and it made me laugh out loud. Capek is telling stories. The kind you tell your friends over coffee or wine. It's a book to eat up, enjoy and pass along to those other crazy plant people.
