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The Gentle Art of Domesticity
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
44 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Jane Brocket
38 books27 followers[From the author's website:]
My first book The Gentle Art of Domesticity was published by Hodder & Stoughton in October 2007. My second book Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer was published by Hodder & Stoughton in July 2008 and my third book with Hodder Ripping Things to Do was published in July 2009. September 2008 saw the publication in the USA of The Gentle Art of Domesticity by STC Crafts/Melanie Falick Books.
The Gentle Art of Quilt-making was published by Collins & Brown in Spring 2010. It is also published in the US by C&T Publishing (http://www.ctpub.com), in Australia by Penguin, and in a Dutch language edition by Veltman Uitgevers BV.
I am also the creator of the yarnstorm blog. I set up yarnstorm in February 2005 in order to write about knitting but the subject matter soon expanded to include quilting, baking, gardening, colour, inspiration, books, paintings and films (in fact, all the good things in domestic life). I am now blogging at the new jane brocket blog at www.yarnstorm.blogs.com/jane_brocket
I live with my husband Simon and our three children in Berkshire.
My first book The Gentle Art of Domesticity was published by Hodder & Stoughton in October 2007. My second book Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer was published by Hodder & Stoughton in July 2008 and my third book with Hodder Ripping Things to Do was published in July 2009. September 2008 saw the publication in the USA of The Gentle Art of Domesticity by STC Crafts/Melanie Falick Books.
The Gentle Art of Quilt-making was published by Collins & Brown in Spring 2010. It is also published in the US by C&T Publishing (http://www.ctpub.com), in Australia by Penguin, and in a Dutch language edition by Veltman Uitgevers BV.
I am also the creator of the yarnstorm blog. I set up yarnstorm in February 2005 in order to write about knitting but the subject matter soon expanded to include quilting, baking, gardening, colour, inspiration, books, paintings and films (in fact, all the good things in domestic life). I am now blogging at the new jane brocket blog at www.yarnstorm.blogs.com/jane_brocket
I live with my husband Simon and our three children in Berkshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
February 1, 2009
How do I loathe this "book"? Let me count the ways:
1) Faux Book
It takes more than a cover and pages to make a book. This appears to be a printout of blogposts, without the interactivity of an actual blog and without the structure of an actual book. While there is a table of contents, and there are "chapters," this "book" has no real bones to it. There's no thesis the author develops and the chapters are thrown together.
2) Faux Feminism
Convincing your husband to do the "domesticated" tasks of, say, making an actual meal while you decorate cupcakes with blue icing and gummy sharks is not feminism. It demeans the work of the home, and the (mostly women) who do it, to even suggest such a thing. This sentence alone makes me want to throttle the "author": [At my "fiercely academic girls' school":] No heed was paid to the fact that we were all women, most of us likely to have relationships with the opposite sex and make babies, and inhabit a domestic space of some sort." Excuse me, but anyone who is not homeless and does not inhabit a hotel inhabits a domestic space. Homes are not the exclusive purview of heterosexuals, couples, parents, or women.
3) Faux Crafting
No technique. A few scattered recipes, none for anything useful. No contribution to practical knowledge here, folks. Move on, there's nothing to see.
4) Faux Design
Illegible font for chapter headings and tiny gray print overcome any charm that the pretty photos might have.
5) Dashed Expectations
This one is at least partly my fault. I waited eagerly for it on hold at the library, suffering through the holiday shutdown knowing that it was held captive until the reopening. But to entitle something "The Gentle Art of Domesticity..." is to make some claim that you have something to say about the subject, either a scholarly contribution about the role of crafting or a contribution to crafting lore itself. This book should have been entitled, "Jane Brocket loves Tea Cosies and Gummy Sharks (and Cary Grant and Ribbon)." Random personal musings may be blog fodder, but something more ought to be required of a book.
1) Faux Book
It takes more than a cover and pages to make a book. This appears to be a printout of blogposts, without the interactivity of an actual blog and without the structure of an actual book. While there is a table of contents, and there are "chapters," this "book" has no real bones to it. There's no thesis the author develops and the chapters are thrown together.
2) Faux Feminism
Convincing your husband to do the "domesticated" tasks of, say, making an actual meal while you decorate cupcakes with blue icing and gummy sharks is not feminism. It demeans the work of the home, and the (mostly women) who do it, to even suggest such a thing. This sentence alone makes me want to throttle the "author": [At my "fiercely academic girls' school":] No heed was paid to the fact that we were all women, most of us likely to have relationships with the opposite sex and make babies, and inhabit a domestic space of some sort." Excuse me, but anyone who is not homeless and does not inhabit a hotel inhabits a domestic space. Homes are not the exclusive purview of heterosexuals, couples, parents, or women.
3) Faux Crafting
No technique. A few scattered recipes, none for anything useful. No contribution to practical knowledge here, folks. Move on, there's nothing to see.
4) Faux Design
Illegible font for chapter headings and tiny gray print overcome any charm that the pretty photos might have.
5) Dashed Expectations
This one is at least partly my fault. I waited eagerly for it on hold at the library, suffering through the holiday shutdown knowing that it was held captive until the reopening. But to entitle something "The Gentle Art of Domesticity..." is to make some claim that you have something to say about the subject, either a scholarly contribution about the role of crafting or a contribution to crafting lore itself. This book should have been entitled, "Jane Brocket loves Tea Cosies and Gummy Sharks (and Cary Grant and Ribbon)." Random personal musings may be blog fodder, but something more ought to be required of a book.
December 7, 2007
An enormous, thoughtful, beautiful book, perfect for anyone with any leanings at all toward domesticity. Makes me yearn to spend my days reading Jane Eyre, baking bread and growing tomatos. This book makes me realize how many small simple ways there are to make my home life more special. I got my copy from Amazon UK (they have international shipping), not sure if it's available in the US yet.
May 20, 2008
I bought this book after reading several critical reviews. I bought it because I love the photos and words on Brocket's blog. It is totally worth the price even if you never read the text.
I have devoured all of the pictures and slowly made my way through the text. Brocket is an excellent and thoughtful writer. There are so many good thoughts that the photos offer a welcome diversion to some of the text. Not in a bad way, but in a way that allows me to process the words.
The photos are similar to the photos on Jane's blog, Yarnstorm, in style and color choice. They are a luscious feast of flowers, fabrics and fairy buns. Of course there are yarns, needles and plants to round out the domesticity. If you want to make the quilts, the patterns she uses are all about the fabrics and the colors. The patterns are simple enough to figure out just from looking at the pictures. The knitting and crochet patterns are well documented and referenced in the back of the book. She does give many recipes for her culinary inspiration.
I know now why publisher's like C&T have moved away from the Art and Inspiration series: people only want patterns. Why? I don't know since people mostly don't make the projects anyway.
Most of the reviews were critical of the fact that there were no patterns in the book. Even someone whose opinion I valued devalued the book, because there were no patterns. Sigh! While I wanted to see some of the patterns after reading about them, frankly, I am glad there are no patterns. I want inspiration and not patterns. I can't believe a gorgeous, feast for the eyes book like this could be devalued by intelligent, capable women because there are no patterns. Patterns are overrated. I can see Jane following up on The Gentle Art of Domesticity with a "Patterns of the Gentle Art of Domesticity," even if the patterns to which she refers are very well documented in the bibliography.
You should buy this book for its color and inspiration alone. Formerly thoughtful publishers have gone down the path of cookie cutter quilt books where there is a page of text, then pattern after pattern with little to no text on why the artist made the quilt or where the inspiration came from. There are already plenty of patterns in the world, let's beef up the inspiration side of things. Hopefully, this book will be the beginning of a trend.
I have devoured all of the pictures and slowly made my way through the text. Brocket is an excellent and thoughtful writer. There are so many good thoughts that the photos offer a welcome diversion to some of the text. Not in a bad way, but in a way that allows me to process the words.
The photos are similar to the photos on Jane's blog, Yarnstorm, in style and color choice. They are a luscious feast of flowers, fabrics and fairy buns. Of course there are yarns, needles and plants to round out the domesticity. If you want to make the quilts, the patterns she uses are all about the fabrics and the colors. The patterns are simple enough to figure out just from looking at the pictures. The knitting and crochet patterns are well documented and referenced in the back of the book. She does give many recipes for her culinary inspiration.
I know now why publisher's like C&T have moved away from the Art and Inspiration series: people only want patterns. Why? I don't know since people mostly don't make the projects anyway.
Most of the reviews were critical of the fact that there were no patterns in the book. Even someone whose opinion I valued devalued the book, because there were no patterns. Sigh! While I wanted to see some of the patterns after reading about them, frankly, I am glad there are no patterns. I want inspiration and not patterns. I can't believe a gorgeous, feast for the eyes book like this could be devalued by intelligent, capable women because there are no patterns. Patterns are overrated. I can see Jane following up on The Gentle Art of Domesticity with a "Patterns of the Gentle Art of Domesticity," even if the patterns to which she refers are very well documented in the bibliography.
You should buy this book for its color and inspiration alone. Formerly thoughtful publishers have gone down the path of cookie cutter quilt books where there is a page of text, then pattern after pattern with little to no text on why the artist made the quilt or where the inspiration came from. There are already plenty of patterns in the world, let's beef up the inspiration side of things. Hopefully, this book will be the beginning of a trend.
September 24, 2008
Only 2 books in my life have been put on the "LIFE BIBLE" shelf...not to have anything to do with religion, but because these books have changed my life in a great way somehow. This book is one of them. I savored every page, waiting for a time before bed when I could sip a cup of tea, snuggle under the sheets and read each page slowly and carefully. It not only inspired me, but brought me joy, laughter and a feeling of "yes, this is me". Truly, truly a remarkable and extremely enjoyable book. LOVED IT!
December 3, 2022
I love having a book like this for morning reading. This book has beautiful photos and charming essays about a life with gardening, kids, and making a comfortable and beautiful life. I enjoyed reading this slowly over several months.
October 8, 2008
Jane Brocket (she does the yarnstorm blog) is interested in ways that everyday life/domesticity can be made meaningful and beautiful. I support that project. The worst way to look at this book = rich woman who does not have to work spends far too much time playing with food color and writing poetically about cupcakes and paintings. A more charitable interpretation would include her thoughtful discussions of the value of making things, valuing one's living space and the way it looks/feels. At its worst, this book promotes insularity and is class-blind; at its best, it promotes an interesting sort of inwardness and thoughtfulness about the materials of everyday life. I felt both things at the same time while reading the book.
November 14, 2008
This book is beautiful! You do have to love color, yarn, quilts and looking at neon-colored cupcakes, though. The writing is average, something many people might write in their diary. However, there is so much inspiration in here to remember the "gentle arts" that (mostly) women have performed though the centuries. It reminds us that in this overly technological wordl, we can still enjoy simple earthy pleasures together. Check out the pumpkin tea cosy!
October 27, 2019
Although the book is “pretty,” and beautifully illustrated, I admit to being annoyed by the trend
in this new generation of books that glorify domesticity. These are women of means who apparently spend their days relishing their roles. I was a stay-at-home mom, so I am not denigrating that. I am just annoyed by the author’s gushy tone about giving up her previous career. Hope she still feels the magic at menopause. That said, a couple nice recipes, and pretty things all in a row.
in this new generation of books that glorify domesticity. These are women of means who apparently spend their days relishing their roles. I was a stay-at-home mom, so I am not denigrating that. I am just annoyed by the author’s gushy tone about giving up her previous career. Hope she still feels the magic at menopause. That said, a couple nice recipes, and pretty things all in a row.
March 5, 2012
Here are delicious photography, if over-sweet, and prose as familiar and comfortable as chocolate milk. Then, as I read, I started to wonder if the milk had gone off, because, well, I couldn't say why. On "the domestic library," she writes, "As I get older, I find I am happier to reread rather than spend (waste?) time with unknown and possibly disappointing books." Is that, I wonder, encouragement to enjoy another kind of pleasure or acknowledgement of an atrophied sense of adventure? She notes that at her "fiercely academic girls' school...No heed was paid to the fact that we were all women, most of us likely to have relationships with the opposite sex and make babies, and inhabit a domestic space of some sort." What kind of institutional action would one have a school take in support of their students' future personal lives? However one would answer those questions, she feels strongly "that the feminists of the 1970s were misguided when they thought that teaching young girls to devalue domesticity constituted progress." Weren't the feminists the ones who noticed that the culture placed a low value on domestic arts, perhaps because, as she notes, "they don't require complicated skills, qualifications, training or equipment?" Nonetheless, she provides us with her vitae, as it wouldn't do for us to think her dumb, along with the lovely photos, tempting recipes and enviable crafts.
February 1, 2010
I was rather disappointed by this book. I expected it to be something of a celebration of the beauty of home, but found it was very half-hearted in that. As long as something is inherently decorative and largely purposeless, Jane Brockett approves of it (for example, embroidery and making ridiculously over-decorated cakes). But she is very scathing and derisory about most of what I would term domestic arts, and regards things that are generally useful (for example, cooking dinners as opposed to cakes, maintaining a level of cleanliness and tidiness in the home) as beneath her (and any other woman). Despite pretending to overthrow the tyrannies of feminism that forbid a woman to enjoy homemaking, in effect it just compounds them by denigrating almost all aspects of that. She only really has time for things that happen to be done at home but she feels are more "artistic" than important.
However, the photography is beautiful, and if you can get past the patronising and pompous writing style there are some gems of information tucked in among the clutter.
However, the photography is beautiful, and if you can get past the patronising and pompous writing style there are some gems of information tucked in among the clutter.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
March 24, 2021Though I skimmed this, I did look at every picture and read some of the text as it piqued my interest.
I'm glad I paged carefully, because the spread on pp 220-221 shows exactly what I did with my three sons each respectively, to give them homemade quilts from scraps. We used top sheets (unused because we sleep with duvets) for the back, and boughten batting for the middle. And yarn ties to reinforce each corner.
And now I've given you more specific and helpful information that Jane did throughout almost all of this book. Most of the time if I liked what I saw in a picture, I could not find what I wanted to learn about it in the text. Frustrating.
Interesting application of light. Is Berkshire the sunniest spot on England's island? But if so, why does Jane want *so *much* color in quilts, aprons, cupcakes, décor pillows, serving ware, etc. etc.? It does make for a very pretty book. Just not, imo, a very helpful one.
tagged as dnf March 2021
I'm glad I paged carefully, because the spread on pp 220-221 shows exactly what I did with my three sons each respectively, to give them homemade quilts from scraps. We used top sheets (unused because we sleep with duvets) for the back, and boughten batting for the middle. And yarn ties to reinforce each corner.
And now I've given you more specific and helpful information that Jane did throughout almost all of this book. Most of the time if I liked what I saw in a picture, I could not find what I wanted to learn about it in the text. Frustrating.
Interesting application of light. Is Berkshire the sunniest spot on England's island? But if so, why does Jane want *so *much* color in quilts, aprons, cupcakes, décor pillows, serving ware, etc. etc.? It does make for a very pretty book. Just not, imo, a very helpful one.
tagged as dnf March 2021
April 8, 2009
I didn't even make it past pg 15. I felt like I was reading slightly pretentious essays. I might not even mind reading slightly pretentious essays if they were at all inspiring, interesting, or thought provoking. But reading someone's (not so interesting) journal, that isn't especially entertaining or inspiring? No thanks.
I also didn't like how it jumped from one idea to another so quickly, although retrospectively I'm thinking it might be good bathroom reading. I guess if I owned the book I'd keep it in the john, but since it's a library book I'm just going to return it.
I also got a non-thrifty vibe from the book too. I'm not down with not being thrifty.
I also didn't like how it jumped from one idea to another so quickly, although retrospectively I'm thinking it might be good bathroom reading. I guess if I owned the book I'd keep it in the john, but since it's a library book I'm just going to return it.
I also got a non-thrifty vibe from the book too. I'm not down with not being thrifty.
July 15, 2017
Some books in the library you pick up and put down...interesting but not enough to check out.
Some books you check out from the library and return. That was nice. I enjoyed that book.
Some books you bring home and ...wait... this one is different. I need this one. This one has things in it that I will come back to and enjoy and use, such as lists or recipes.
This book is the last of the three. I smiled as I looked at the wonderful photographs. I wanted to copy down all the lists she had of favorite art or movies or books.
Because this is difficult to find in a bookstore, I would recommend going to your local library. Check it out and see what you think!
Some books you check out from the library and return. That was nice. I enjoyed that book.
Some books you bring home and ...wait... this one is different. I need this one. This one has things in it that I will come back to and enjoy and use, such as lists or recipes.
This book is the last of the three. I smiled as I looked at the wonderful photographs. I wanted to copy down all the lists she had of favorite art or movies or books.
Because this is difficult to find in a bookstore, I would recommend going to your local library. Check it out and see what you think!
February 19, 2009
Just picked this up on Valentines day whilst roaming the isles of B&N waiting for my kids to go to sleep. I love books/people/blogs/anything that elevates the art of domesticity. It's a fine line between sheer drudgery and taking pleasure in building your nest. Books like this one inspire and remind me to enjoy the journey. Also, she involves her kids in so many of the things she does. I am trying to be better at that.
December 13, 2014
This is such a delightful book. Brocket is a talented and engaging writer, and obviously a talented domestician. This is a book you actually want to *read* instead of just looking at the (adorable) pictures. I love how the topics are divided up, making the path to domesticity an achievable and enjoyable one. A must for anyone who enjoys the home arts. A wonderful source for books, movies, and travel ideas as well.
June 7, 2009
LOTS in this book and a must for any crafter or person who enjoys the comforts of home. I picked it up at the library today and will enjoy pouring over it the next three weeks while I have it checked out but think I need to have my own copy. There is so much in it to embrace the wonderfulness of home and the comforts of the soul in it.
March 13, 2016
I completely loved this book. How, oh how, did I ever miss reviewing it. I find that when too much time has passed and I really loved a book, I don't have much to say about it. Let me just try to summarize with this. I AM NOT crafty. Not talented AT ALL with my hands. Yet, here she goes getting me all excited about and interested in trying all sorts of crafty pursuits. Thank you, Jane.
July 20, 2011
Nice Pictures, intended more for inspiration than instruction, therefore inherently disappointing. I did get a little sick of pictures of color coordinated cupcakes. Am I just jealous? Do I want to stay home wearing birkinstocks (color coordinated) and baking cupcakes in a home-made apron? Knitting up a tea cozy while they bake? It's possible
April 8, 2017
I love this book. I have read it cover to cover, but the joy for me is just picking it up and reading bits here and there, and looking at the pictures. I want to live in this book, knitting and baking and eating rock buns with tea.
November 13, 2008
I want to quilt...This book is a terrible indulgence; it's impossible to do anything but bake or desire better sewing/knitting skills. I both like and loathe the lack of patterns.
February 17, 2013
Brilliant, just Brilliant. I wish I had an iota of Jane Brocket's creativity. This is a lovely, dreamy book, perfect for a lazy day with a cup of tea.
December 26, 2008
Read this book slowly; savor it. It's really lovely.
March 14, 2019
I read this book for the first time when it was first available in the U.S., probably seven or eight years ago. I remember spending hours with it, sitting on my front porch, through the warmer weather months, and I remember liking it. I pulled it off the shelf this year for a second reading, and it did not disappoint! The book explores all aspects of household life, from a distinctly feminine point of view, and explores the artful side of homemaking, referring to the disciplines involved as "domestic arts". The photography, mostly done by the author, is gorgeous, and the turn of every page includes full color photos opposite the text. The book is, itself, a lovely read, exploring things that inspire the domestic artist, including movie and book recommendations (Cary Grant!!), nature, fine art, and more. As a woman who enjoys knitting and quilting (though I'm a novice at both), the author reminds me that I'm not necessarily knitting or quilting for perfection, but rather to have beautiful things, made by me, for my home and family, and for the satisfaction that comes from the making it with my own hands.
January 18, 2022
I like Brocket’s sense of color very much and I immediately started following her on Instagram. This is a highly episodic volume, probably a compilation of blog posts. It probably works better as a blog. I don’t love the book: possibly because the term “domesticity“ makes me feel rather feral despite her apologia on its behalf, but also I think her vision is not inspirational.
January 3, 2024
Just saw that I have been reading this book over the course of 7 years! A lot of that is because I didn't want it to end.
Such a peaceful, happy ode to home life, crafting, baking, sweets, and other cozy things. I, a Taurus, loved it. A very hygge book that I can definitely see myself paging through if I ever need a pick me up.
Such a peaceful, happy ode to home life, crafting, baking, sweets, and other cozy things. I, a Taurus, loved it. A very hygge book that I can definitely see myself paging through if I ever need a pick me up.
July 8, 2025
This book- so bad it made me laugh.
She really likes her feet in pictures (cringe), most of the photography is bad. The whole book is very dated, very blog spotty.
And the American edition has the apology glued into the front. "Sorry, all of the recipes are wrong! This is not Ms Brocket's fault!"
Very odd to me that she recommends so many movies that are American.
She really likes her feet in pictures (cringe), most of the photography is bad. The whole book is very dated, very blog spotty.
And the American edition has the apology glued into the front. "Sorry, all of the recipes are wrong! This is not Ms Brocket's fault!"
Very odd to me that she recommends so many movies that are American.
August 6, 2019
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I don't doubt that it could be inspirational to people, but it doesn't really give you much help on how to create projects exactly.
This review is also posted on the LibraryThing website.
This review is also posted on the LibraryThing website.
May 30, 2018
Adorable reminders of how the simple things make all the difference.
February 25, 2019
Pretty book but it is largely yarn yarn yarn crafts which I don't have an interest in. If you knit, then this is your book.
December 26, 2025
I enjoyed this book because of the author's viewpoint. The focus was on the process and learning and not the frenetic pace many arts/crafts books take.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews