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Scenes From a Smallholding: Essential Reading for Everyone With a Lust for the Country
In 1982, the Griffiths left the security of suburbia to grow garlic in West Wales. This is a funny—and sometimes touching—account of their first three years. They learn lambing and marketing and ploughing and hay-making, they discover the dung-sodden joys of milking and the surreal terrors of bee-keeping. Scenes from a Smallholding is by turns challenging, touching, and informative, but above all, it is very funny.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 22, 2024
2.5 stars
Scenes from a smallholding - unromanticised.
The good thing about this book was that it highlighted just how romanticsed my version of country life was, along with how rosy my ideas of living on a smallholding/growing your own food were. Consequently I no longer have any dreams of running my own lil farm. If only farming consisted entirely of 'Shaun the Sheep'.
Otherwise, while mildly amusing in places, large chunks of this lil autobiography were on the dry side. Runner beans...I'm thinking about you. Also I think it should be mentioned that I tend to rate books, of course for their enjoyability and how much joy I got from reading them...but also but their stance/position as a work of art. An artwork of words. However, not all writers are intending to write artfully with the intent of masterfully manipulating words, not all writers are poets...and that's completely fine. I just prefer spending my time reading those types of novels/non-fiction can also be done this way. Otherwise I might as well be watching a documentary. If you are going to use the medium of the written word (pure written word) in order to create, at least attempt to make artful and creative use of that medium.
Scenes from a smallholding - unromanticised.
The good thing about this book was that it highlighted just how romanticsed my version of country life was, along with how rosy my ideas of living on a smallholding/growing your own food were. Consequently I no longer have any dreams of running my own lil farm. If only farming consisted entirely of 'Shaun the Sheep'.
Otherwise, while mildly amusing in places, large chunks of this lil autobiography were on the dry side. Runner beans...I'm thinking about you. Also I think it should be mentioned that I tend to rate books, of course for their enjoyability and how much joy I got from reading them...but also but their stance/position as a work of art. An artwork of words. However, not all writers are intending to write artfully with the intent of masterfully manipulating words, not all writers are poets...and that's completely fine. I just prefer spending my time reading those types of novels/non-fiction can also be done this way. Otherwise I might as well be watching a documentary. If you are going to use the medium of the written word (pure written word) in order to create, at least attempt to make artful and creative use of that medium.
March 3, 2015
I was delighted to pick up this book at a second hand book shop at a farmers' market (how appropriate I hear you say?) and could not wait to get stuck in. To begin with though, I found Griffin's funny man 'chirps' a bit irritating but, getting to know his character, the stories became funny and informative as I pictured the scenes; some hilarious triumphs, others calamitous, which are nevertheless based firmly upon real events as they happened over the first three years of uprooting the family's comfortable suburban lifestyle in Nottingham to the life of organic farmers on a ten acre smallholding in rural Wales.
The book is based on a series of hodge-podge old articles articles the author wrote for the HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association) newsletter and magazine over a period of nine years which, the he assures, does have a beginning, a middle and an end. However, the intertwining may not follow the exact events as they happened; but rather on subjects with a little overlap of information and timelines here and there.
As an ex-English lecturer, his style of writing is described as 'sure to become a classic of its genre' but is relaxed, captivating and informative. This is a book you can finish within a day, or dip in an out of as you digest the serious message more slowly.
The plan was to become organic garlic growers to provide a small income and live a simple life, but it didn't work out and the thought of going back to teaching was unappealing, playing bass guitar in a band in Swansea was 'pretty desperate' so they diversified and settled on courgettes, radishes, radicchios and Jerusalem artichokes. These too came with challenges on the marketing side as the humble courgettes had to be straight and of a certain length to fit the polystyrene packaging demanded of the supermarkets, or else all they were good for was feed for the cows.
To those who enjoy the mechanical working of implements, there is plenty to entertain.
I found their policy of introducing new things (particularly) livestock one at a time sensible so that they could learn all they needed to before facing the next challenge. Griffin clearly loves his animals and when the time comes to end their lives, his sensitivity is touching.
I would not use all of his techniques as the perfect method and am not sure I agree with everything contained therein, but Griffin's heart was in the right place and who can discredit anyone for trying and working so hard.
To anyone who thinks that the smallholding life may be for him or her, this warts-and-all book may make or break your ideals. Either way, it was a most enjoyable read.
I look forward to delving into More Scenes From a Smallholding, the follow on book that reveals what happened four years after their arrival - whether they were able to achieve their dreams and get by financially.
The book is based on a series of hodge-podge old articles articles the author wrote for the HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association) newsletter and magazine over a period of nine years which, the he assures, does have a beginning, a middle and an end. However, the intertwining may not follow the exact events as they happened; but rather on subjects with a little overlap of information and timelines here and there.
As an ex-English lecturer, his style of writing is described as 'sure to become a classic of its genre' but is relaxed, captivating and informative. This is a book you can finish within a day, or dip in an out of as you digest the serious message more slowly.
The plan was to become organic garlic growers to provide a small income and live a simple life, but it didn't work out and the thought of going back to teaching was unappealing, playing bass guitar in a band in Swansea was 'pretty desperate' so they diversified and settled on courgettes, radishes, radicchios and Jerusalem artichokes. These too came with challenges on the marketing side as the humble courgettes had to be straight and of a certain length to fit the polystyrene packaging demanded of the supermarkets, or else all they were good for was feed for the cows.
To those who enjoy the mechanical working of implements, there is plenty to entertain.
I found their policy of introducing new things (particularly) livestock one at a time sensible so that they could learn all they needed to before facing the next challenge. Griffin clearly loves his animals and when the time comes to end their lives, his sensitivity is touching.
I would not use all of his techniques as the perfect method and am not sure I agree with everything contained therein, but Griffin's heart was in the right place and who can discredit anyone for trying and working so hard.
To anyone who thinks that the smallholding life may be for him or her, this warts-and-all book may make or break your ideals. Either way, it was a most enjoyable read.
I look forward to delving into More Scenes From a Smallholding, the follow on book that reveals what happened four years after their arrival - whether they were able to achieve their dreams and get by financially.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews