Fencing Paradise: Reflections on the Myths of Eden

by Richard Mabey

The first botanical gardens were set up to gather the world’s plants and recreate a Garden of Eden. Using the Eden Project as a springboard, Richard Mabey explores the myth of the Garden of Eden.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Natural History

399 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2005

About the author

Richard Mabey is one of England's greatest nature writers. He is author of some thirty books including Nature Cure which was shortlisted for the Whitbread, Ondaatje and Ackerley Awards.

A regular commentator on the radio and in the national press, he is also a Director of the arts and conservation charity Common Ground and Vice-President of the Open Spaces Society. He lives in Norfolk.

Reviews

[Maria Longley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Mabey was an artist in residence at the Eden Project and this book has come out of that time. It's really great they have such projects for writing too (not just the sculptures), and what fun to have been able to spend so much time on site. I've visited twice and both times were amazing. This book weaves in snippets and snapshots of stories and memories and facts with ruminations on the Project itself. Mabey conjures up some wonderful images, and he clearly cares deeply about plants which is great to read. And I really liked the illustrations by Sue Hill.

[Dan Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Eden Project, an ecological showcase established in Cornwall, is the sponsor and organizing point for this book. From that departure point, Mabey provides a varied treatment of natural history related to the biomes modeled in Eden. I found the natural history parts interesting; the descriptions of Eden, not so much. Mabey is an excellent writer, but this (IMO) just was not his best.

[Jenny Toune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabey surfs the project that is Eden on a tsunami of research & lateral thinking - gently dumps humankind in the sand in his quest for the resurrection of the wilderness ...