The Writer's Garden: How gardens inspired the world's great authors

by Jackie Bennett, Richard Hanson (Photographer)

See inside the gardens where literary giants from Tolstoy to Agatha Christie created some of their finest works in this visually stunning and fascinating book.

Discover the flower gardens, vegetable plots, landscapes and writing hideaways of 30 great authors – from Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Orchard House’ where she wrote Little Women and Agatha Christie at Greenway , to Virginia Woolf at Monk’s House and the Massachusetts home of Edith Wharton .

Fully illustrated with specially commissioned photography plus archive images, and spanning centuries and continents , this book visits the homes and gardens that inspired novelists, poets and playwrights. It shows how outdoor spaces were important to writers in many different ways and offers insight into the lives and creative processes of beloved authors .

Writers featured Jane Austen in Kent and Hampshire, Agatha Christie in Devon, Beatrix Potter in the Lake District, Thomas Hardy in Dorset, Walter Scott and Robert Burns in Scotland, William Wordsworth in Cumbria, Virginia Woolf and Rudyard Kipling in Sussex, Frances Hodgson Burnett in Kent, Jack London in California, Edward James in Mexico, Jean Cocteau and George Sand in France and Goethe in Germany.

This deeply insightful book sheds new light on some of literature's greatest works , offers rare glimpses into the lives of these brilliant minds, and showcases in stunning full color the gardens in which these writers spent their time.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Travel

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

Jackie Bennett began her career in theatre production before moving into television and writing. She has co-produced several gardening and natural history series, including Channel 4's highly acclaimed Mushroom Magic.

Reviews

[Diane Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writers and their gardens....what could be better than that?
This book was a gift from a cherished friend who knows that I love gardens, being outside, and literature. That makes it even more special, because the book itself is a work of art. Twenty-eight authors and the gardens that inspired them, from Louisa May Alcott to Emile Zola, all pictured in full color at the height of their beauty, along with short bios of both the houses and the authors. It took an entire month to get through this, because I only read one segment each day, to prolong the experience. Not a sad book to finish though, as I can open it up at anytime and enjoy it all over again. It will have pride of place on my coffee table for easy access.

This is truly a treasure. I don't even have a favorite garden, as they were all so beautiful. I don't have the energy or the money or the space to create this kind of beauty in my tiny backyard, but I do the best I can with what I have. Good thing it's so small, as I also don't have a team of gardeners, or even one, to keep it in tip-top shape. It's very rewarding to sit on my screened porch, looking out at the trees in full leaf, reading my book, sipping my iced tea, and think of someone who knows me well enough to send me such a gift.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book of gardens of famous authors. I love that it uses commissioned photography and didn’t rely on stock images. The photos highlight the gardens and descriptions include information about the property and how long the author lived and what they wrote while there. There is a emphasis on England and American authors but others make the list as well. I also appreciate knowing that many of the places are open to the public. I’ve been to a few of the locations. Authors include: Beatrix Potter, George Sand, Edith Wharton, Louisa May Alcott, Ernest Hemingway, Leo Tolstoy, Roald Dahl, and many more. This seems to be a reprint from a book originally published in 2014. I’m not sure if has been changed or updated from the earlier edition.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A casual, fulfilling read! If you love books and gardens, the cottagecore aesthetic, and the idea of frolicking in a wildflower field with a journal in hand, you will love this book!

Anyone could see why a writer would flourish in these locations, they’re simply stunning. Richard Hanson does a phenomenal job at documenting these places and Jackie Bennett is masterful with her words. I really felt like I was there, sitting in the seats on Antonio Fogazzaro’s Lake Logano balcony. Walter Scott’s literal castle in Abbotsford would have been the perfect place to document the first romance novels.

It’s enriching, fun, and I will be buying a physical copy!

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a reviewer's copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book and its concept. Seeing the personal gardens of some of the greatest writers of the past few generations was extremely inspiring and made me want to accelerate my gardening progress in my own garden (though I am more actively a reader in my garden than a writer). I think this book makes an excellent coffee table book as it's sure to spur conversation based on the authors it chronicles and the creative spaces they cultivated. With the exception of few American authors, the book did favor English authors and settings. I would love to see this evolve into a series that includes more latitudes and longitudes.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what every reader needs!

This book is delightful. What better way to get to know the writer we all love than to explore their gardens. Does any space truly give any more humble inspiration than being outdoor surrounded by nature.

The pictures are stunning and the book is a treat! I highly recommend this one for your collection.


Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the arc of this book.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Writer’s Garden: A Literary Journey Through Nature

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

The Writer’s Garden by Jackie Bennett takes readers on a captivating journey through the gardens of literary giants, offering a visually stunning and fascinating exploration of the outdoor spaces that inspired some of literature’s greatest works. With its wealth of specially commissioned photography and archive images, this book provides rare glimpses into the lives and creative processes of beloved authors, shedding new light on their works and showcasing the beautiful gardens they called their own.

From Louisa May Alcott’s “Orchard House,” where she penned her timeless classic Little Women, to Agatha Christie’s Greenway and Virginia Woolf’s Monk’s House, this book delves into the flower gardens, vegetable plots, landscapes, and writing hideaways of thirty remarkable authors. Spanning centuries and continents, The Writer’s Garden offers a rich tapestry of insights into how outdoor spaces played a pivotal role in these writers’ lives and writing process.

One of the highlights of this book is the exquisite photography that captures the essence of each garden. The commissioned photographs beautifully complement the author’s descriptions, providing readers with a visual feast that brings these literary landscapes to life. Whether it is the vibrant blooms in Beatrix Potter’s garden or the serene tranquility of Edith Wharton’s Massachusetts home, the images transport readers into the very heart of these writers’ creative sanctuaries.

In addition to the stunning visuals, The Writer’s Garden also impresses with its collection of short essays. Each essay offers a glimpse into the history and significance of a particular garden, providing readers with context and background information that enhances their understanding and appreciation. The author’s prose is engaging and informative, striking a perfect balance between scholarly research and accessible storytelling. This makes the book not only a valuable resource for literature enthusiasts but also an enjoyable read for anyone with an appreciation for nature and creativity.

As a bibliophile myself, I found The Writer’s Garden to be a delightful addition to my collection. The book is packed with captivating stories and anecdotes about well-known authors such as Ernest Hemingway and Leo Tolstoy, George Sand and Roald Dahl. The diverse range of authors ensures that there is something for everyone within these pages.

Moreover, The Writer’s Garden would make an excellent coffee table book. Its visually striking design make it a joy to flip through time and time again. Whether you’re immersing yourself in the detailed essays or simply marveling at the captivating photographs, this book offers countless hours of exploration and inspiration.

In conclusion, The Writer’s Garden is a must-read for literature lovers and garden enthusiasts alike. Jackie Bennett has crafted an enchanting journey through time and space, unveiling the hidden connections between nature and creativity. With its wealth of beautiful images and insightful essays, this book not only deepens our understanding of literature’s greatest works but also celebrates the profound impact that gardens have had on the creative process.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[The Raven Scholar · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.- Marcus Tullius Cicero

There's something about a garden, reading, and writers which always go together. As I write this review, I am slowly starting some new seeds which sit on my windowsill, but along with the practical, I'm growing impractical which really isn't impractical after all, since plants of all types such as milkweed, sunflowers, daylilies, and more serve a purpose for both the eye, the birds, and the bees.

The commissioned photos help capture a fragment of what must have made the writer's garden both a place of respite and inspiration for such authors as Jane Austen and a reminder from Cicero, of the richness which is gained from having both books and plants together. Especially in the modern world, with most of the green replaced by concrete, cultivating an indoor, or balcony garden, helps reconnect the five senses, and as the book shows, provides inspiration and in many cases, comfort in ways that only Nature can provide for readers, writers, and the everyday person.

Filled with mini-essays, the visual of the photos are stunning and draws the reader to imagine their favorite author using the time to either get necessities for a meal, or in the cases of what is shown, an eye candy for the mind, and soul to rest, and perhaps find a break from writer's block.

The book would make an amazing display for the coffee table and a gift to both the lover of gardens and books. Perhaps a reminder to a writer who finds themselves working through writer's block, a spot of inspiration to move forward.

In an age of digital scrolling and instant photos, The Writer's Garden is a welcome respite for writing inspiration, and a reminder of how reconnecting with nature can be good for the soul.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion for the ARC via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Writers Garden in exchange for an honest review and needed inspiration.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant book to browse, either indoors or out, showing us famous authors, and just enough for my layman opinion about their homes and gardens. And yes, I am going to damned well call these small mini-essays potted biographies and be done with it. Now, I'm more of a buildings person myself – I think the rooms and décor and substantial side of homes would tell you more about writers. But from Karen Blixen, much post-Kenya, to Agatha Christie's luxurious SW bolthole to, well, some Italian bloke I'd never heard of, we get here the famous creator and their gardens. The essays are nicely interspersed with the relevant captioned photos, and cover the person and their career, the stage at which they took over, bought or plain inherited the grounds, and what they did with them. And while I cannot guarantee every word has been updated here for this 2023 reissue, some attempt at summarising how the place is now (public, National Trust, something coming out of a wreck) is made to round things off.

And just to defy my comments, a lot of these authors really did want to get their green fingers showing. Dahl could garden for months on end, especially after tragedy or criticism. Goethe got down and did some landscaping and planning. Tolstoy had more orchards than most – some of the largest in Russia, we're told. And those details do surely tell us something of the creators, even if, say, Mr Virginia Woolf seemed more hands-on than she was, or gardeners and designers were employed.

Pretty comprehensive (I guess Dylan Thomas left Fern Hill without making enough of a mark to feature) this is a pretty and enjoyable amble through famous slices of landscape. It will suit the plant-lover and bibliophile audiences equally well. A strong four stars.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Writer's Garden by Jackie Bennett is an ideal book to read and even just flip through when you need a break from heavy reading but also want to learn about important figures.

I know I made this sound like a diversion, which in some ways it is for me, I want to emphasize that the short profiles offer some excellent insights into each writer's influences. So this volume stands on its own as both an attractive coffee table book and an informative guide to the role of gardens in literature.

When I said profiles above, I should clarify that both the gardens and grounds as well as the writer are profiled. I found it to be a wonderful blend of detail about the gardens, how the gardens influenced the writers, and a few specific instances of locations being used within their works of fiction. It actually made me pull a couple volumes off my shelves and put in my TBR stack, it has been too long since I have revisited them and this new perspective will offer me another avenue into them. Not to mention that Woolf was prominent in another book I recently read.

Whether you simply want an attractive and informative coffee table book or you're especially interested in what has influenced some of our greatest writers, this volume will be an excellent addition to your library.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bibliophiles and gardeners, here is a perfect book for you (and me). Visit the gardens of a number of writers, enjoy what you see, and learn about the importance of each writer’s garden.

The photos throughout are just gorgeous. In addition, the text is quite informative. For example, learn in the very first entry about why Louisa May Alcott’s father bought a particular property and what was grown there. I like that each entry has a section on the writer themself.

There is so much to see here, so this book will provide enjoyment for many hours. J have so many favorites that it is so difficult to pick a few. That said, I especially enjoyed Louis May Alcott’s Orchard House; Jane Austen in Kent and Hampshire, Frances Hodgson Burnett at Great Maythem Hall, Agatha Christie at Greenway, Thomas Hardy on Dorset and, Beatrix Potter at Hill Top.

I would love to own the hard copy of this title and to visit some of these gardens in person. As the author points out, we are so lucky that they have been preserved, even as they evolve.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in famous writers from Beatrix Potter to Emile Zola and then want to add in a bit of architecture and lots of gardening, then this book is for you.

It is a lovely combination of writing and photographs that take you right into the gardens and down the paths of exploration.

Jackie Bennett has done a fantastic job of explaining how the gardens came into the writers’ possessions and then how they continued to cultivate the land. She also brings us right up to the 21st century and tells us how the gardens have been preserved and which you are able to ramble around in.

All in all, a lovely coffee table book.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion and NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Writer's Garden' is a beautiful collection of commissioned photography and archival images of homes and gardens that inspired famous novelists and poets. Each section contains photographs, blurbs about the life of the writers, insight into how their gardens and wild spaces inspired them and their writing, and archival information about what has happened to those spaces and their upkeep in present day. A great gift for fellow writers, gardeners, interior designers and nature-lovers in your life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Liora Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Writer’s Garden by Jackie Bennett is a beautifully written and visually enchanting journey through the gardens that inspired some of the world’s greatest authors. With Richard Hanson’s exquisite photography, each page feels like stepping into a writer’s private sanctuary — from Virginia Woolf’s tranquil Monk’s House to Agatha Christie’s lush Greenway. Bennett masterfully connects each garden’s atmosphere to the author’s creative life, revealing how nature shaped their imagination and writing. This book is both a feast for the eyes and a meditation on the bond between creativity and place perfect for lovers of literature, history, and gardens alike.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful full color coffee table book features the gardens of famous authors. Each section describes the place(s) the author lived and a description and photos of the garden. At the end of the section is a very brief bio of the author. I was disappointed to see that the author chose to dead-name Gloria Hemingway. The publisher is in the U.K. and therefore the book is very Europe-centric with only 5 gardens outside of Europe (and none of those 5 were outside the U.S.). The photos are absolutely beautiful and made me really wish to visit England in the Spring.

[Debra Gaynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Writer’s Garden: How Gardens Inspired our Best-Loved Authors
Jackie Bennett
Author Jackie Bennett transports his readers to the gardens that inspired many authors. He provides photographs as well as commentary on 18 gardens and 20 authors. This book is inspiring in several ways: the desire to garden, the desire to write and the desire to read.
Thank you Netgalley for a review copy of The Writer’s Garden. The review is my unbiased opinion.

[Helen Leighton-Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic and wide-ranging book. Showcasing gardens for from around the world, not only Europe, with a visual feast of photography. The book also offers a narrative about the writers and authors who lived in the properties and gardens. Having visited quite a few of these gardens it was a pleasure to revisit them today, and a pleasure to look at others I didn't know of.

[Tove R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book with great pictures of famous writers' gardens. The reader gets a peak into the lives of these authors, the families and places they were born into, lives, marriages, divorces, places they lived at, and books they wrote. They all had gardens as a part of their lives. It is even possible to visit many of these beautiful gardens. Love the photos!

[Cynthia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about gardens and houses of artists. The book was excellent. A nice mixture of photos and prose. I only gave it four stars because the homes featured would only be affordable to those with wealth. It would have been well rounded to feature houses and gardens of those with modest means. Still a great book.

[Kristin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gardener's delight, a writer's retreat, a feast for the senses.

I've visited many of the homes/gardens profiled in this book, and all were an ethereal and profound experience in and of themselves. To have them all covered in one book is an absolute treat!

[Christina Valastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning! This book is so wonderful in showing us where our beloved writers created their work. I especially love the section on Hemingway in Key West as a huge fan and a Florida resident!

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love classics and gardens, and this book appealed greatly to me.

It’s laid out beautifully, with multiple photographs of each garden, clean text, and in the back of the book - garden visiting information 😍, along with selected reading suggestions.

While you might be tempted at first glance to just go through the beautiful photos, you’ll eventually want to read the accompanying text to each garden and home, and likely learn a lot.

If you’re a fan of classic authors and beautiful gardens, you’ll want to add this one to your bookshelf. It also serves as a great source of inspiration, if on a smaller scale for many readers.



Thank you to Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for the DRC!