THE GARDEN AGAINST TIME In Search of a Common Paradise

Award-winning English author Olivia Laing's pleasant, light voice suits her narration of her newest work, a mix of memoir and nonfiction essay. Structured around her restoration of an eighteenth-century walled garden--yes, she acknowledges Frances Hodgson Burnett's A SECRET GARDEN--the book explores her delights and frustrations while working with plants, the history and evolution of gardens and public lands, and the effect of the natural world on a variety of notables, including Romantic poet John Clare and designer William Morris. The result is a fascinating tapestry. Laing's prose is lush, poetic, and wholehearted. Her narration is deliberate--just as she savors her garden, she savors words. So, amble the garden paths with Laing without rushing and enjoy the views. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2024]