The Day Job: Adventures of a Jobbing Gardener

by Mark Wallington

The author’s incompetent early career as a gardener is hilariously revealed in this comic memoir. His bizarre experiences among the hellebores and overgrown rock roses of the middle classes are marvels of humour and eccentricity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Comedy

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Day Job - Adventures of a Jobbing Gardener is a book written by Mark Wallington. A fun compilation of stories about the people Mark worked for while gardening as a means to earn some money in 1980. While Mark's dream is to become a comedy writer and he continues to submit scripts to the BBC, he is getting to know many of the people who are the face of North London. In writing about the various people he works for, you cannot help but feel he has grown to enjoy the faces of his day job.

You cannot help but find the people like Joan and Jamie, Annie Kendal, Mr. Nugent, Major Chesney and Kenneth likable and endearing.

Mark has to do battle with his competitors Powerflowers.

You watch the friendship develop with Helen while you hear about his flatmate Neil and neighbor Mandy or his co-comedy writer Dick.

In short this is a book about people and that is what makes the world go around.

[Moira · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for anyone who likes gently amusing, slightly over-drawn, eccentric characters. Also fun for gardeners who appreciate a break from all that latin. It manages to also show how rubbing along with the community and putting in the occasional bit of thought for others will make the world go round a bit better.

[Sally George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, and a delight to read....very much a feel good factor book. Amusing and compelling. The sort of book you finish with a smile. It reinforced that fact that you don't have to be a success and good at what you do, as long as you care.

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful. The chapter "Ginger and Young 'Un" is a glorious stand along gardening story. I would give this book 20 stars if I could.

[Zoe Langley-Wathen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Day Job: Adventures of a Jobbing Gardener is a thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted read that made me smile, cringe, laugh and fly through the book. With warmth, self-deprecation and a keen eye for human detail, Mark Wallington opens a window into a younger version of himself, long before the big walks and river journeys many of us know him for.

What I loved here is his perceptive portrayal of clients. I laughed and nodded at their personalities, quirks, and wonderfully idiosyncratic behaviours, all observed with affection rather than judgement, knowing that I've come across similar characters throughout my life too.

This is the memoir of a twenty-something man launching himself into an entirely new world of gardening with no real experience, plenty of bluff, and an admirable willingness to learn. Imagining him swotting up in the library (pre-internet), appreciating the honesty as he muddles through inevitable cock-ups, and making the odd dodgy decision (including some questionable script-writing detours) is both funny and endearing.

Wallington's recollections aren't set out to boast tales of instant success or mastery. I really noticed how the small wins mattered for him, and I cheered him on as I followed his confidence and competence growing, alongside his flowers and lawns.

Having loved 500 Mile Walkies, Boogie Up the River, and others by the author many years ago, it was a real pleasure to see where some of that voice and spirit came from in the earlier years.

Warm, funny, and full of humanity, it's an easy five from me.

[Paul Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished Rereading The Day Job by Mark Wallington about a Year in which he took up Gardening for people while he tried to make it as a Comedy Writer, I love it as I do the other books of his I have read, it was Funny but at the same time moving and at times sad,In places it made me laugh out loud which very rarely happens and if it does it is usually one of Mark Wallington's Books, I was happy to put it down so that I could make it last longer, I would happiky recommend this book to anyone who wants a feel good factor read and a great laugh, I look forward to read it again.

[Maria Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, Mark wallingtons descriptiveness of his characters is fantastic, he creates people we all feel we know. I adore this book, it’s light hearted, gentle and truly innocent in its story telling.
If you want a meaty plot and an emotional depth this is not the book for you, if you need an enjoyable and comical break from reality then this book would be perfect.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir: i want to go to the pub and down a few pints with the author. This is the 5th book I have read by him and they keep getting better . I had to slow my reading down so i could savor the journey. I'm not going to summarize the book, its self apparent, he is a gardener in England. Wallington is likeable and his perspective is genuine. Best book I have read all year.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book as a gift for my ex-fiancé and decided to read it myself first, as it seemed like it would be full of humour and interesting facts about gardening. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it all that funny, but rather a bit boring instead. It was an okay short read, full of odd characters, but I couldn’t really relate to any of it.

[Clare Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read this authors books before (500 Mile Walkies etc) and really enjoyed them, this one was not quite in the same league. I enjoyed it but didn't find it laugh out loud funny like the dog walking books. It made me smile and I liked the characters he met as he built his gardening business and it was easy to read.
Would recommend as a light hearted easy to read book.

[Mandy Setterfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lighthearted reading. Very enjoyable.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ticks along nicely with a fair amount of humour.

[Turnip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. Very mediocre. Maybe I just missed Boogie too much?

[Greg Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more could you want from a MW book - light, easy reading with lots of laughs.

[Louise Culmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Wallington's amusing account of how he worked as a jobbing gardener while struggling to establish himself as a writer of TV scripts. He didn't allow the fact that he knew hardly anything about gardening hold him back, and managed to acquire a number of regular clients. If you have enjoyed his other books you will probably enjoy this one too, there is plenty of humour and he meets some memorable and eccentric characters in the course of his work.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good fun read. Not rocket science. Not hysterically funny, more like ‘chuckly’. It would probably appeal to those who enjoy Gervase Phinn’s books - I shall definitely be checking out his more famous books about his escapades with his dog, Bogie!

[Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can do anything if you put your mind to it.
very funny. A good read

[Kay Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

good humoured read

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an OK read but I really didn't find it funny, it was interesting as a social commentary on those who employ gardeners, but I just couldn't see the humour.

[Andrée · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have worked as a jobbing gardener so thought I'd like to read about how someone else dealt with the clients/weather/cash flow etc....but it was just a bit boring so I didn't bother to finish it.

[Sue Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun light read.

[Anke · Rating 2 out of 5]

a fun and easy read