Short review: What a crock of über-privileged shit!Slightly longer review: I went into this knowing that 'Lives of the rich and privileged' is not the genre for me, and after struggling for 30 pages, had this preference resoundingly confirmed. All in all it is a fascinating portrait of a rebellious spirit in the midst of upper-class life in Europe at the end of the 19th century.I read Elizabeth and her German Garden as part of my subscription to the inaugural '2020 Shakespeare and Company Lost Treasures' selection. There is a even a picnic in the middle of winter (with the convenience of a sleigh and horses). The 2nd half is dominated with house guests and the somewhat wily and sometimes not-so-serious debates she has with them and her husband.

The book isn't just about the gardening either (although Elizabeth manages to drive off 3 gardeners during the course of the book, one of whom apparently goes insane). Elizabeth and her German Garden is a delightful fictionalized story of Elizabeth von Arnim's life in Germany when she was living her first husband, who is portrayed as the 'Man of Wrath' in the book.

Joy in Nature and in a Rebellious Spirit Review of the Vintage Classics reprint edition (2017) of the 1898 original. Despite a readiness to speak up and say what she thinks, she complains about her inability to actually do the gardening and that she can merely give orders to the gardeners (why? Surely in 1898 women could plant flowers?!) Despite her readiness to make sarcastic comments about the guests, she (I assume) sacks a governess whom she overhears speaking out of turn.But it's a feel-good book with some lovely descriptions and thoughts on life. 'This is less a garden than a wilderness'By sally tarbox on 20 October 2017Format: Audible Audio EditionAn autobiographical account of the author - a rather disconsolate wife of a German aristocrat - the 'Man of Wrath' and mother of three small daughters, whose life takes on new meaning when she starts to remodel the overgrown garden of her husband's estate in Pomerania.There are descriptions of her flowers and the joy of being outdoors amusing accounts of her -often unwelcome- guests and of family life.The author is nonetheless rather irritating.

Elisabeth and her german garden