It's Wednesday once again and I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday. I won't bore you with the Hitchhiker that's almost done but still not quite finished, but I do have one last completed Bankhead hat. I thought I might need one with a deeper brim to keep my ears warm, so that's what I knit. Justin might actually be the person that needs it since he works outdoors, but it's in the hat box for whoever claims it.
I finished The Lost Garden and it was wonderful. The author, Helen Humphreys, is actually a writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and I would like to read more of all of her writing. The Lost Garden finds lonely horticulturist Gwen leaving bombed-out London in 1941 to supervise a group of girls planting potatoes in the Women's Land Army. Gwen is far more comfortable with plants than people, and this book tells the story of her quiet internal growth. There are times when the language can be a bit overwrought, but I loved the details about vintage plants, gardens, and the many different personalities of the girls in the Women's Land Army and how they interact with each other in the evenings. This book is a winner in the "flowers are magical" department.
I also read Life Without Children by Roddy Doyle, but it wasn't so wonderful. Even Doyle's use of lovely language couldn't save Life Without Children from winning the "sad, frustrated, and disgruntled old men during the pandemic" award from me. One man throws a mug at the wall during a fight with his wife and thinks that at least it didn't shatter, just broke in half "along an old crack", another contemplates abandoning his family while on a work trip, and yet another man searches for the son he drove away years earlier with his cruelty. It might have been better if I read this short story collection 10 years from now, maybe when we're all beginning to forget about covid or have completely gotten used to it. Doyle can convey emotion with his characters, but it's too soon and the emotions are ones we're all far too familiar with and would like to forget.
What are you making and reading this week?
sounds like a heavenly week that had good good reading and knitting involved. Can't beat that. I love the color of that hat!
ReplyDeleteI had to purchase a Kindle copy of The Lost Garden because my library doesn't have it -- and I can't wait to read it! I think I'll pass on Life Without Children, though . . . And the hat looks warm and wonderful, Bonny. (I'm looking forward to Real Spring when I won't have to wear hats for awhile.) XO
ReplyDeleteOh boy, I just got the notification from the library that Life Without Children is ready for me to pick up...your review is making me wonder if this is the right time to read it.
ReplyDeleteYour hat looks so cozy and warm!
As for me... I am settling in to a stack of poetry books and it is just perfect!
That's a great-looking hat, and I predict someone might try to steal it for themself if you don't claim it.
ReplyDeleteThe Lost Garden sounds delightful. I'm putting it on my list for when I need something lighter and guaranteed to be enjoyable. I'm trying to finish up a pretty bad book today (I'd DNF it, but I want to see how it ends) and then want to get back to Braiding Sweetgrass while I wait for some library holds.
Love the green of your hat yarn Bonny. And the wide brim. I would claim it for my own!! I got The Lost Garden from the library the other week, but couldn't get past the first chapter or so - I did not enjoy her writing...but I think I will give it another try after the 4 books on hold come through for me.
ReplyDeleteI started Anthony Doerr's first novel, Grace, last night. Interesting concept, don't know if I will like it or not. I certainly like his writing style, and I loved his other 2 novels. I love that hat! Do you remember what yarn you used? We are having great weather down here this week and our case counts are low, so I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off doing chores and errands and loving it! Come on spring!
ReplyDeleteThe Lost Garden sounds wonderful. I am reading Olga Dies Dreaming and also How the Word is Passed. Knitting socks and the Daytripper Cardigan. (Fred and George don't allow for a ton of knitting time!)
ReplyDeleteI love your book reviews - the ones you share for books you love are nice, but the ones you share for books you don't are priceless. Life is too short to waste time on bad books, and you are my hero for saving me that time. thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome hat. Someone will enjoy wearing it. I enjoy your book reviews. As we all know reading isn't always a bed of roses.
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