The Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady by FANNY ROBINSON

by Fanny Robinson

Excellent condition, light bumping to jacket, pages appear untouched. The fantastic 'book of memory', and private album of flower paintings and poetry, that is the lasting legacy of this exceptional amateur artist. (non)

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Gardening, Reference, Poetry, Classics

Hardcover

First published August 18, 1999

Reviews

[Shahna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding this sister of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady at a messy, musty, marvelous book shop was a wonder. The illustrations are elegant--they remind me of heirloom china. The commentary detracts a bit from the artistry, but adds interesting information. It's a bit more parlor-y than earthy like Country Diary, but a broody Victorian hero would approve of Ms. Robinson, for she is certainly Accomplished.

10/10 Instagram-worthy couplets for the Victorian, Somber, Charming, and Odd (VSCO) girl.

On chrysanthemums and winter jasmine: "Ye bring your bright blossoms when Summer is gone, / Like new hope, to the heart of a desolate one."

On spring flowers: "Spring returns, the flowerets blow / Will hope return? ah no."

A delightful find at Dawn Treader Book Shop in Ann Arbor, MI.

[Jamjars · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book with wonderful watercolour paintings of different flower arrangements.
I expected this book to just tell me what the flowers 'meant' according to Victorian customs, but this book is far more personal to the author. I found it quite sad and poignant how the beautiful art and poetry seems to refer to an unrequited love that died.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FEAST for heart, mind and soul!

[liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

great art and poems!

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful in every way!

[Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Great for art references!

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

.65 cents on amazon is my excuse. A reviewer said they're the best Victorian watercolors (surely and exaggeration) out there. It's Michigan, 16 degrees, Feb 13th, I'm a gardener. I don't have to justify myself; it's just that innate guilt that keeps me civilized like the rest of you...Where the H did I put that Freud book???

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about the victorian symbolism of flowers and is full of gorgeous watercolor illustrations. It would be a nice gift for a lady or little girl who loves flowers. It's a quick, easy, and enjoyable read that would make for a great coffee table book. I wouldn't mind owning it myself.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous reproductions from the original "Book of Memory" by Fanny Robinson. Each plate contains text about the flower and also allusions to what it might have represented in her own life. Slighted love, jealousy, hope? All interesting sentiments to a Victorian lady we don't really know about, but can only guess.

[Relaynie]

Victorian,flowers

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous, and the poems are nice. It's made me want to go out and get a book on flower symbolism.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful book. illustrations are great examples of victorian times.