A review by tessyoung
The Gardener's Year by Karel Čapek

3.0

I struggled to get into this. I was given this book some years ago and had started but never finished it so I thought I'd give it another go. I recognise many of the characteristics and behaviours of the gardener covered in this book, from the plant identification and naming habits, to the obsession with the weather, watering, the constant work, the pre-occupation and the fear of leaving the garden, and the mud, oh the mud and the obsession with soil type etc. I recognise this despite this book being written over 90 years ago and set in Prague. It is this keen observation and timelessness that means it merits a 3 star review but that said I struggled through the slim volume somewhat. I did not find it as amusing or charming as other readers have and for me this is at the low end of a 3 rather than high.