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eesti23's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight, in a bud, became more painful than the risk it took to blossom... --Elizabeth Appell"
"Gardeners love to grow other gardeners."
"...potager, which is the type of garden we are creating. Basically, it means a garden in which vegetables, flowers, and herbs are grown together, making it efficient."
The Garden of Small Beginnings is another book where the cover drew me right in. This was an enjoyable read with plenty of laughs and even some tears. I loved how the gardening class grew and bonded together as their gardens did the same. Heck, at times it even made me want to work on my own garden and/or join a local gardening class! It did feel like there were a few too many competing storylines and they didn't all seem necessary. Edward's name (Edward Bloem) is funny since "bloem" means flower (and bloom and flour) in Dutch. I wish the ending had been a little stronger or at least that there was an epilogue (or even a sequel).
Sweet and funny book highlighting that the sun can shine again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death
Moderate: Bullying
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
cedardleland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In general I wanted to like this book with the cute premise and accurate portrayal of children. There were a couple little racist lines that threw me off, as well as a bit of fatphobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
anna_woodson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Not my favorite, but fun along the way, and surprisingly pleasant ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Moderate: Cursing
amibo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Death
keri_f's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Grief, and Death
pagesfromhome's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Previous Rating: 5 Stars
Like my last Abbi Waxman reread, I used to absolutely adore these books. 5 stars all the way with no faults. Since rereading, I've noticed this habit she has of dropping in stereotypes (or making culturally appropriative costumes) or mentioning race or sexuality when it just feels weird and forced (pgs. 19, 59, and 157 particularly spring to mind). I noticed this in The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and now in this one. The reference to a gay couple on p. 59 struck out in particular - the main character mentions, "...that pique of interest and support I always felt when I met lesbians or gay men, or interracial couples, or anyone in fact who lived a life that seemed more interesting and less mainstream than mine." Like, it's cool to support people who are different than you, but it's weird as heck when you fetishize or romanticize them. They're just two women in a relationship, not a field study for an anthropologist.
There also seems to be a lot of forgiveness for Rachel and Lili's mom's lack of growth and harmful behaviors. The main character says multiple times how her mom just is who she is, implying nothing can be done about it. Still, her mom is saying incredibly hurtful and harmful things to her grandchildren, so yes, she can change, but she certainly won't if she's getting away with it. I'm all for respecting who people are, but when they are harmful, they need to hear about what they're inflicting on others.
That said, these references do knock down my rating a bit, but for the most part, this book still stands. It's a beautiful exploration of the waves of grief phenomenon and (I imagine) how it would be to be a suddenly widowed mother of two. The cast of characters in the gardening club is fantastic, and I love the blossoming romance at the forefront of the story. I would definitely reread it again, but I hope Waxman's newest book will be less cavalier with outdated race and sexuality references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Sexism
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