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An English Garden in Provence
At a young age Natasha Spender came into contact with the renowned gardens of such literary figures as Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Harold Nicolson, Vita Sackville-West, and Michael Astor. In the 1960s she and her husband, the poet Sir Stephen Spender, acquired the ruins of a farmhouse enclosed in the dramatic skyline of the Alpilles. After years of hard work the result was a unique garden. Lady Spender’s gardening friendships with the locals and neighbors, the regular and inspiring visits of friends such as John Bayley and Iris Murdoch, Francis Bacon, and the Annans, her explorations of the surrounding landscape, and passages from Stephen Spender’s unpublished journals, all contribute to this enchanting book. It is both a record of the creation of a beautiful garden in the arid hills of Provence, and a treasure trove for devoted gardeners.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 1999
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August 4, 2009
Since most people who read the description in the book data above are likely to get a completely inaccurate impression about what this book is and isn't, here's my edited version:
"Natasha Spender... In the 1960s... acquired the ruins of a farmhouse enclosed in the dramatic skyline of the Alpilles. ...this... book... is... a record of the creation of a beautiful garden in the arid hills of Provence...."
And that's about it. The fact that she was renowned poet Stephen Spender's wife is irrelevant since you learn next to nothing about him or his poetry in this book. Ditto for all of their famous friends whose names are dropped so gratuitously in the official description above. If that's why you are thinking of reading this book... think again.
The only people who should read this book are Lady Spender's family and friends... and those fortunate souls who either have or are interested in having a garden in an arid area of Provence. The former need no further justification than the fact that Lady Spender is the author. For the latter, you will find that she was a thoughtful and passionate gardener who writes competently and has packed the book with the names of many plants that flourish in the Alpilles, as well as some that do not. In other words, for you this book will be both useful and, in its quiet way, charming.
Bottom line: I'm glad I read it, but I know hardly anyone to whom I'd recommend it.
"Natasha Spender... In the 1960s... acquired the ruins of a farmhouse enclosed in the dramatic skyline of the Alpilles. ...this... book... is... a record of the creation of a beautiful garden in the arid hills of Provence...."
And that's about it. The fact that she was renowned poet Stephen Spender's wife is irrelevant since you learn next to nothing about him or his poetry in this book. Ditto for all of their famous friends whose names are dropped so gratuitously in the official description above. If that's why you are thinking of reading this book... think again.
The only people who should read this book are Lady Spender's family and friends... and those fortunate souls who either have or are interested in having a garden in an arid area of Provence. The former need no further justification than the fact that Lady Spender is the author. For the latter, you will find that she was a thoughtful and passionate gardener who writes competently and has packed the book with the names of many plants that flourish in the Alpilles, as well as some that do not. In other words, for you this book will be both useful and, in its quiet way, charming.
Bottom line: I'm glad I read it, but I know hardly anyone to whom I'd recommend it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review