Science & technology

摘要

For many writers, gardens have served not only as a refuge from life's everyday travails but also as a source of intellectual nourishment and literary inspiration. Bennett, editor of British gardening magazines and author (Shakespeare's Gardens) explores this botanical connection between 20 different English writers and their gardens. Among the authors featured are Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter, and Winston Churchill, and each engaging profile includes a concise biographical summary as well as details about the design and maintenance of the gardens. Bennett also provides fascinating information as to which of the author's books were written while they were in residence at a particular outdoor space, and a useful appendix supplies practical details on visiting the gardens. The icing on this sumptuous literary cake is Hanson's spectacular photographs, which will instantly transport readers to the verdant paradises so lovingly described by Bennett. VERDICT A rare treat for both ardent fans of the individual writers and armchair enthusiasts of English gardening.