Monty Don book

Ysera27

I'm listening to Monty's latest book 'My garden world' on audio book. It's actually about the nature in his garden/Welsh farm. Not much gardening at all. Most of what he's saying I have already heard or seen on the many articles/TV shows and books on the subject, so it's nothing new. I was expecting at least some gardening. Although his voice is very soporific so I might use it when I can't sleep. 

If you've read it what is your opinion? 

raisingirl

You may struggle to find people here who've read it. I only have one of his books - Fork to Fork - written years ago, which is good. I generally have found other authors as or more informative though, so haven't bought other books of his. I fall asleep watching Gardeners' World - I imagine an audio book of his voice would send me to sleep, no matter how interesting the subject 

Ysera27

@raisingirl - it certainly makes me feel sleepy, along with David Attenborough.

Hostafan1

"out in time for christmas" 

chicky

I’ve read it and I loved it.  But then I knew it wasn’t a gardening book.  I think that Monty writes beautifully (almost poetically) and in my opinion his best books are about other things with the garden inevitably intertwined.  There are plenty of other places to go for a how-to manual.

For those who love reading writers who talk about their gardens but write beautifully as well I can recommend Katherine Swift (Th Morville series), Eleanor Perenyi (Green Thoughts), Mirabel Osler (a gentle plea for chaos) and Anna Pavord (The curious gardener).  They are all wonderful - but not a “how-to” paragraph in sight 😂

chicky

Hostafan1 said:

"out in time for christmas" 

It was actually out in time for LAST Christmas 🤣

Never miss a chance for a Wham! reference 😉

Hostafan1

chicky said:

Hostafan1 said:

"out in time for christmas" 

It was actually out in time for LAST Christmas 🤣

Never miss a chance for a Wham! reference 😉

Isn't it funny how many books, greatest hits CDs and new scents come out at this time of year? 
Almost as if they're being targeted at the gullible xmas shopping market? but surely not?

chicky

But ‘My Garden World’ was published in September 2020 - so can’t have been aiming at the Christmas 2021 market - unless he had a premonition that Christmas 2020 would get cancelled 😞 

Hostafan1

chicky said:

But ‘My Garden World’ was published in September 2020 - so can’t have been aiming at the Christmas 2021 market - unless he had a premonition that Christmas 2020 would get cancelled 😞 

perfect timing for xmas 2020 market. And , who knows?, there might be more out soon?
I'm surely dear Monty is above such marketing nonsense anyway. 

philippasmith2

chicky said:

I’ve read it and I loved it.  But then I knew it wasn’t a gardening book.  I think that Monty writes beautifully (almost poetically) and in my opinion his best books are about other things with the garden inevitably intertwined.  There are plenty of other places to go for a how-to manual.

For those who love reading writers who talk about their gardens but write beautifully as well I can recommend Katherine Swift (Th Morville series), Eleanor Perenyi (Green Thoughts), Mirabel Osler (a gentle plea for chaos) and Anna Pavord (The curious gardener).  They are all wonderful - but not a “how-to” paragraph in sight 😂

I don't know of the authors you mention except for Anna Pavord - if it is the person I'm thinking of, did she not used to have a regular column in one of the national papers ?  I did enjoy those pieces. As you say, not a "How to...." but wonderful nevertheless.

LG_

Most commercial operations are targeted at making the most profit, are they not? Film release dates, book publication dates, seeds in spring and bulbs at the right time of the year for planting etc. It would be a bit odd not to do that.

I have borrowed My Garden World but haven't read it yet - however I am aware it's not a how-to book so am unlikely to be disappointed on that score.