The Accidental Garden: The Plot Thickens
by Richard Mabey
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Description
An erudite but intimate work of horticultural memoir and philosophy by one of Britain's greatest living nature writers, who sees his garden as a sort of microcosm of the wider planet-a planet we desperately need to learn how to live on without causing further harm. The Accidental Garden helps show us the way. What is a garden? Must it be an arena for the display of human mastery or might it be something less determined, more generous, a handshake with nature rather than a clenched fist? show more These are questions that Richard Mabey, arguably England's greatest nature writer, asks and considers in his new book, part memoir, part treatise. From the pressing surrounds of the inventive, half-wild garden that Mabey, an instinctive rewilder, and his partner Polly, a determined grower, have shared for two decades, Mabey weighs past hopes and visions against the environmental emergency of the present. In beeches and bush crickets he sees proof of adaptation and survival; in commons and meadows he finds natural processes at work yet. A wise and witty stylist, under no illusions but attuned to delight, Mabey locates in his small patch of planet a place to test assumptions, to inhabit other species' sensoriums, to observe how myriad species establish common ground. "Be interpreters, scribes, witnesses, neighbors," urges Mabey, "the welcomers at the gate.""-- Provided by publisher. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
The accidental garden. Gardends, wilderness and the space in between is a book about nature and gardening. It's author, Richard Mabey is considered one of the great, successful writers of the genre, which is now very popular. Regretfully, this shines through, as the author seems overselfconscious.
Nonetheless, when the author is not talking about himself, there is sufficient space on the pages of this book for wonderful descriptions of gardens and nature, and has been a pleasure to read. By the way, I find the cover very beautiful.
Nonetheless, when the author is not talking about himself, there is sufficient space on the pages of this book for wonderful descriptions of gardens and nature, and has been a pleasure to read. By the way, I find the cover very beautiful.
Lots of UK-native plant references, no illustrations
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Author Information
67+ Works 3,491 Members
Richard Mabey is one of Great Britain's foremost nature writers and editors. Mabey has written "The New Age Herbalist: How to Use Herbs for Healing, Nutrition, Body Care, and Relaxation," "In the Oxford Book of Nature Writing," which won the Whitbread Biography Award, and the BBC's television series, "Postcards from the Country." (Bowker Author show more Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Awards
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2025
Classifications
- Genres
- Home & Garden, Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 635.01 — Applied science & technology Agriculture Garden crops (Horticulture) modified standard subdivisions Philosophy and theory
- LCC
- QH541.5 .G37 .M33 — Science Natural history – Biology Biology (General) Ecology
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 30
- Popularity
- 926,905
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.67)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 1
- ASINs
- 1
