matthewmincher reviewed Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing
Varied journey
4 stars
I enjoyed this as a journey across different topics linked by the theme of gardens. It wasn't really what I expected but it was pleasant.
I feel like I missed out a bit by not having read a lot of the texts Laing references, even if I'm vaguely aware of their cultural significance and themes. Paradise Lost is probably the big one - though I had at least read The Secret Garden.
I've seen other reviews call this book dull, but at no point was I bored. Laing clearly had points she wanted to get across and at some points the links were quite tenuous.
Compelling coverage of the enclosure acts, the slave trade, fascist Italy.
