In this beginner's guide to amateur gardening, Geoffrey Newsome--the highly acclaimed translator of Capek's witty "Letters from England--has captured the grace and irony of the original Czech to produce a volume that will be treasured equally by those who love gardening as a relaxation, those who loathe it as a chore, and those who have no interest in it whatsoever. For behind the practical advice and witty anecdotes lies a poetic evocation of the Garden of Eden. This book is a characteristic product of Capek's genius: ...
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In this beginner's guide to amateur gardening, Geoffrey Newsome--the highly acclaimed translator of Capek's witty "Letters from England--has captured the grace and irony of the original Czech to produce a volume that will be treasured equally by those who love gardening as a relaxation, those who loathe it as a chore, and those who have no interest in it whatsoever. For behind the practical advice and witty anecdotes lies a poetic evocation of the Garden of Eden. This book is a characteristic product of Capek's genius: amusing, informative, and full of a quizzical interest in people, animals, and plants.
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Add this copy of The Gardener's Year to cart. $56.67, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Claridge Press Ltd.
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.
