Richard Mabey's latest publication is brimming with reflections on his personal garden and his exceptional journey with flora throughout his life
In his latest book, renowned nature writer Richard Mabey delves into wide-ranging debates about the gender-fluid nature of plants, decolonization, migration, native/non-native, reparations for nature, and the autonomous nature of plants. Titled "Garten mit einem wilden Leben" and published by Karl Blessing Verlag, the book is not long, but it is far from slight.
Mabey, known for his works such as Flora Britannica, Food for Free, Weeds, A Brush with Nature, The Unofficial Countryside, The Flowering of Britain, The Cabaret of Plants, Nature Cure, Beechcombings, and Turned Out Nice Again, has once again captured readers' hearts with his unique perspective on the natural world.
The book focuses on Mabey's personal experiences with plants, including botanizing trips, childhood haunts, and plant and human friends. Mabey gardens to remember and finds great solace and hope from the autonomy of plants. He argues that plants belong where they choose to be and that they help compromise and shape landscapes.
Mabey's book also discusses the concept of a Mediterranean bed in English nitrogen-heavy rains, suggesting a potential conflict with his belief in plants' autonomy. However, he does not shy away from exploring this paradox, making the book a thought-provoking read.
Throughout the book, Mabey mellows and softens, showing a more personal side. He shares his experiences of setting up home in Norfolk, marking his first garden to call his own, and the account of what it means for two people to come together in a garden and find room for both weeds, wilderness, and human pottering.
One of the book's highlights is Mabey's quote from John Clare's work to emphasize the autonomy of plants. Mabey's book Nature Cure made the reader fall in love with the poet John Clare, and this connection continues in his latest work.
For readers who have spent a great afternoon, lying in the dappled shade of a garden tree, listening to Mabey muse on a life with plants, his latest book will not disappoint. It is a must-read for anyone interested in nature, gardening, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.
It is important to note that the book may generate a commission if purchased through certain retailers, but it is not an advertisement.
Richard Mabey has written over 40 books about nature and the relationship between culture and nature, and his latest book is a testament to his enduring passion for the subject. With its engaging prose and thought-provoking insights, "Garten mit einem wilden Leben" is a book that will resonate with readers for years to come.
