Elizabeth and Her German Garden | 
pickI really enjoy Elizabeth Von Arnim‘s style, her descriptions are delicious, and her humor even when self deprecating is enjoyable . This book doesn‘t really have a plot, it‘s a semi-authobiographic diary-style book about her garden in a remote corner of Germany, at the turn of the century. It is nonetheless a delightful, cozy and calming little book, with some sharp social commentary inserted here and there.
so-soI enjoyed the first half of this witty semi-autobiographical novella in which a women seeks respite from her grumpy husband, her three young children and the stifling confines of aristocratic life through her well-intentioned if clumsy attempts to create a garden of her own. However, the second half is much more acerbic and her treatment of a young guest often veers into the cruel. A mixed bag.
The German Garden is a witty account of her love and adoration for her garden and the seasons...
bailedOk, having the gardener committed to a lunatic asylum for answering her back is the last straw for me! I mean, he was waving a revolver around, too, but even so.
If I could get past her, and admittedly my own, class issues I suspect there is a good book here, but as I can't do that there's no point in continuing. I now know for sure that "lives of entitled rich people" is not the genre for me.
"We are allowed by law to administer 'slight corporal punishment' to our servants, it being left entirely to individual taste to decide what 'slight' shall be."
Fucking hell! ?
"I went into the library, with its four windows open to the moonlight and the scent, and looked round at the familiar bookshelves, and could hear no sounds but the sounds of peace, and knew that here I might read or dream or idle exactly as I chose."
??
"I shall not let myself be frightened away by the sarcasm of owls." ??
Ok, I'm being won over; this line alone is worth the price of the book!
Also, I think a Sarcasm of Owls should be the collective noun for those sitting on the opposition benches of the Parliament of Owls.
(Ugh! If only I'd noticed the extraneous "to" on this meme before I'd posted it! ?)
Lives of the privileged isn't my favourite genre, but holding onto a sense of my own relative privilege, loving that cover, hoping for something light and meditative, and needing a slim, portable book, looks like I'll be joining Elizabeth in her German garden (even if she'd likely call for the hounds to be released upon me 🐺😄)
pickWell, that was completely delightful. Originally #publishedanonymously (to avoid embarrassing her husband it seems!) This is a quiet novella of daily life… of a beautiful garden, bantering with her husband, her children, and an annoying house guest. Charming, gentle and a lovely escape…. A little gem. #pop21 Just 2 to go!!!
I randomly plucked this one off my shelves and I‘m loving it as much as the other von Arnims I‘ve read. 😍
pickPerfect 19th C setting escapism for garden (nature) and people observers.
This novella and a children‘s book we read sparked a question for the kids and I about the use of the word “garden.” Being Americans, we refer to the grassy area surrounding the house the “yard” or “lawn” and “garden” refers to planted vegetable/flower plots. How do fellow Littens distinguish between grass and planted plots?
Inquiring minds want to know! 🤔
🤣 Elizabeth and Her German Toilet Paper
A little junior high humor to lighten Friday.
pickCharming chatter about gardening, guests, and life in the German countryside.
Homemade pizza (brushed olive oil, crispy bacon, caramelised onions, creamy goat cheese, arugula tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, a twist of salt & pepper, topped w/ balsamic glaze made from scratch), it‘s one of my favourite things to make for a laid back Friday evening. I‘m starting this delightful book, and Mr. S & I are finishing up the 2nd season of Stranger Things, so we can start the new season. Happy weekend!
#SellMeACoat like the one on this cover. 😆😆
#WinterWonderland
pickI read this author strictly for the gardening bits. Her dreams of an all yellow garden. 💛
#yellowmakesmehappy
"but the greater part of my spring happiness is due to the scent of the wet earth and young leaves."
For yesterday! Any other Elizabeth von Arnim fans out there? #gardentitle #aprilbookshowers @RealLifeReading
My #gardentitle book resides on my #vintage shelf. This edition is from 1929 and was sent to me from England by an internet friend back when they had book groups on Yahoo (anyone remember those?) #aprilbookshowers
Bookmail from friends 💕
