I have now finished reading the Morville Hours which I quoted from in my post yesterday. So what did I think of it?
Synopsys (from book cover):
Katherine Swift takes the reader on a journey through time, back to the forces which shaped the garden, linking the history of those who lived in the same Shropshire house and tended the same red soil with the stories of those who live and work there today. It is an account which spans thousands of years. But is also the story of one of one life: of relationships tested to breaking point, of despair and loss as well as joy and achievement. It is a journey through the seasons, but also a journey of self-exploration. It is a book about finding one’s place in the world and putting down roots.
Review:
The book is very elegantly written with beautiful prose, it deserves to be read slowly so you can take it all in and feel the wonderful atmosphere. The book is all about time and the garden and how the author made a new garden for the Dower House at Morville when she moved in and leased it off The National Trust in 1988.
The chapters are structured according to the medieaval Books of Hours and each chapter is named after one of the Hours of the Divine Office. The book includes line drawings that are styled like illustrations in the Books of hours.
It describes life in the rural Shropshire countryside and includes many interesting and fascinating topics such as gardening, astronomy, language, religion, horticulture, beekeeping and the history of Morville and the surrounding Shropshire countryside. It is also part autobiography.
It is well worth a read for anyone who enjoys the countryside and gardens or who has a love of lyricl prose.
This good article from TimesOnline gives a bit of background information about Katherine and the garden.
ascinating topics such as gardening, astronomy, language, religion, horticulture, beekeeping
Fascinating indeed.
How on earth did you manage that James? I have only just pressed publish!!!
There were some very fascinating bits in the book. I am going to have to read it again.
Sounds a very good read and the structure of the book sounds fascinating.
It was the structure along with the fact it was about gardens that made me want to read it
ooo sounds good. I could do with some quality reading. Every now and then I feel a hunger for something well-written. Know what I mean? LIke if you eat too much junk you suddenly want a salad
Yes the difference between burgers and a quality steak
OK, so to get you to read my little piece, I need to include, let me see … gardens, astronomy … er … right, I’ll get to it straight away.
You do know I hang on your every word anyway
but I am intrigued on how you would get all of that into one post!
Love the notion of continuity concentrated in one location, and the structure based on the ‘hours’ of Divine Office is right up my mediaevalist-manquee street! Not a fan of gardening, though; but could be tempted by this one – so many thanks, Cherie!
A greeting for you over at mine today.
P
Thanks Phidelm
I didn’t find it overly gardeny because it covered as sorts of interesting facts.
I see – thanks, Cherie. That settles it, then: I’m definitely adding this book to my list.
I hope you like it.
[...] Swift who wrote The Morville Hours is a beekeeper and there were many interesting snippets about bees in her book too. One of the [...]