Gardens of Illusion

by Sara Maitland, Peter Matthews

Defy the commonplace and predictable! The playful spirit grows in these beautifully photographed gardens, which delight with droll humor and visual enchantment. The unusual presentation of unique landscapes bypasses ordinary horticultural know-how and conventional design principles; instead it delves into the tradition of garden wit, illusion, and trickery. Best of all, most of these concepts aren't hard to achieve, from the teasing perspective of a trompe l'oeil to a fence brightly decorated with colored bottles. More daring visions appear too, including some amazing statues and ornamentations. One garden even has a bridge with hands flung up under it from the lake below, suggesting either a person emerging--or one drowning! A joy to look at and to read. A Selection of Garden Book Club .

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Reference, Photography

160 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

Sara Maitland is a British writer and academic. An accomplished novelist, she is also known for her short stories. Her work has a magic realist tendency. Maitland is regarded as one of those at the vanguard of the 1970s feminist movement, and is often described as a feminist writer. She is a Roman Catholic, and religion is another theme in much of her work.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only were the numerous color photographs inspiring, but the writing got my creative juices flowing, too. Visiting a bounty of gardens that dare to step outside the expectations of “garden” and just have fun, Maitland serves up quite a collective. Talking with the minds behind them was interesting and makes me feel more justified in my own quirky methods and style. Mostly UK, but us Americans hit a couple nods in there, too. Noting historical gardens was also a plus, given their limited sourcing for much of what made them stand outside acceptable boundaries. Money helps a lot, too. But this was an enjoyable, educational read and delightful view of some truly impressively artful and fun gardens.

[Jennifer Rolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the sculptures and themes - especially the homage to kitsch!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief look at a garden's inclusion of whimsy, art, and contemplation as central themes or secondary comments as from the stage chorus so that people can have fun. This includes the use of follys, real ruins, 'spontaneous' art and the planned amid plantings aimed at pleasing and amusing.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on landscape design with some good ideas.

[Christine J Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book, with lovely photographs. I didn't read it all as it was due back at the library.