"May 7th—There were days last winter when I danced for sheer joy out in my frostbound garden in spite of my years and children. But I did it behind a bush, having a due regard for the decencies..."
Indoors are servants, meals and furniture. There, too, is The Man of Wrath, her upright Teutonic husband, inspiring in Elizabeth a mixture of irritation, affection and irreverence. But outside she can escape domestic routine, read favorite books, play with her three babies—and garden to her heart's content. Through Elizabeth's eyes and unique wit, we watch the seasons come and go, each bringing with it new events, friends, and neighbors.
Rarely is there a book that when read once, one wishes to start rereading right away. Here is one. And here are the glories of perennials, bulbs, flowering trees, even annuals, and the joys of a new gardener who knows little but learns quickly. Elizabeth, who is the wife of Count Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, "The Man of Wrath," mother to their three little girls, finds escape from her duties by becoming enthralled with her gardens. Witty and barbed, Elizabeth's memoir is read with elan and obvious relish by Nadia May. Both Elizabeth's subtle sarcasm and overwhelming pleasure at the beauties of the natural world are interpreted charmingly by May. One feels that a visit to Pomerania would be entertaining over and over again, but only if Elizabeth would be glad to have us as guests. B.H.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
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Elizabeth and Her German Garden
by Elizabeth von Arnim
