One of my top pages contains links to my posts about my
Top 20 books (not of all time but since I've been blogging) – you'll find some
goodies there.
One of the novels there is the Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman – this is what I said
about it:
The
Garden of Small Beginnings is simply awesome. A gem of a book, exquisitely constructed and
very witty.
The author blurb will give you a touch of what I mean:
'Abbi Waxman is a chocolate-loving, dog-loving woman
who lives in Los Angeles and lies down as much as possible. She worked in advertising for many years, which
is how she learned how to write fiction.
She has three daughters, three dogs, three cats, and one very patient
husband.'
After each chapter there is a page that deals with
growing vegetables – quite why I'm not sure – but the author lets her wit shine
through here as well. Not only were
these pages entertaining – they also inspired (or re-inspired) a wish to do a
bit of gardening.
As a sample, here is what she says about growing
cabbages:
'Start cabbage seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last
spring frost, assuming you know when that is.
·
Put
them outside a week before you want to put them in the ground, to harden them
off and get them excited about the wider world they're about to inhabit.
·
Put
them in the ground 2 or 3 weeks before the last spring frost, so they're good
and settled before it comes and startles them.
·
Plat
12 to 24 inches apart in rows, depending on size of head desired. The closer you plant, the smaller the heads.
· They are many, many
ways to prepared cabbage, most of them delicious. If you think cabbage is smelly, it's because
you've been overcooking it. Cook it for
too long and it produces hydrogen sulphide, presumably as a comment on your
cooking skills. Sorry but that's how
they roll.'
But all that is just the appetiser, the main course is
the story. The author of Be
Frank With Me (another good book) is quoted on the cover as saying 'this is my
favorite kind of book – hilarious, sad, joyful.
Beautifully written. Fun. I dare you not to enjoy it.'
I couldn't agree more.
Get this book and enjoy all the characters – especially Lilian.
One small postscript – there is a sprinkling of bad
language in the book – but I didn't find it at all gratuitous. There is no x-rated content.
This book sounds appealing to me, thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read. Just put it on hold at the library. Thanks!
ReplyDelete