Deze 'roman' is beduidend dikker dan die boekjes, maar qua inhoud, opbouw en schrijfstijl lijkt er weinig veranderd. This was yet another started-but-couldn't-get-into book for me, of which I've had my fair share lately. Out of creativity, and a little bit of necessity, Gaëlle de Tassigny launched The French Gardener in the spring of 2009, never imagining it would grow into the fully developed, fun, and fulfilling business that it is today. Gaëlle leads a dedicated team of experienced individuals who are knowledgeable, reliable, and astute. It begins as Miranda and David Claybourne move into a country house with a once-beautiful garden. But reality turns out to be very different from their dream. Soon the latent unhappiness in the family begins to come to the surface, isolating each family member in a bubble of resentment and loneliness.

Gardener Gin with Tom Nichol Brad Pitt launches The Gardener Gin with Tom Nichol

This week I read The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore. My bloggy friend, Linda, posted about it here, and I wanted to read it based on her review. I will keep my review brief and refer you to Linda's post. Linda also has another blog, News from Italy, I enjoy reading, too. Born in England in 1970 Santa Montefiore grew up on a farm in Hampshire and was educated at Sherborne School for Girls. She read Spanish and Italian at Exeter University and spent much of the 90s in Buenos Aires, where her mother grew up. She converted to Judaism in 1998 and married historian Simon Sebag Montefiore in the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London. They live with their two children, Lily and Sasha in London. A spellbinding novel about marriage, passion, loss, renewal, and the healing power of love from the number one bestselling author of Songs of Love and War. I love romance novels, gardening, handsome mysterious strangers, and anything to do with England and France. Throw in thwarted love, a mysterious notebook, a cheating husband, a selfish woman learning to love, a grand manor house, and quirky small-town characters and you had me at hello. Miranda and David move out of London into a beautiful country house with a magical garden. But Miranda insists on tottering across the wet lawn in kitten heels, David is never there, and the children won’t tear themselves away from the telly.

Interview

Plants and the world outside have always been a place of wonder for Gaëlle. From her family's apartment plants as a child, to her grandmother's garden, to the countryside of France, plants became very familial. It is that connection that makes Gaëlle passionate about working with nature and keeps her engaged with the very alive world of plants.

Book Review | The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore Book Review | The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore

We strive to be ecologically conscious, keeping in mind changes in climate and precipitation and making adjustments as needed. Georgia is a very exceptional, beautiful, talented woman. She embodies the best of British eccentricity in the most glorious way. Having known her as a child I went to see her while researching the book. She was a great inspiration to me and I did think of her as I created Ava. I’ve never seen anyone wear a dungarees with such style. Fortunately for her, I don’t know her well enough to base a character entirely on her, but I was inspired by her unconventional beauty, her animation, enthusiasm, joy and love. I haven’t looked for her on-line but she is a professional garden designer! At the heart of the story are Miranda—whose blossoming from removed socialite to warm local is so subtle and real you fall in love with her the way the townspeople do—and Ava’s garden, which opens hearts and sustains generations through its enduring beauty. I did not guess the end of this story at all and relished every detail Montefiore gave me about the house and the garden and the people. A neglected garden. A cottage that holds a secret. A mysterious and handsome Frenchman. Prepare to be “spellbound by the sheer charm” ( Daily Express , UK) of Santa Montefiore’s tender and powerful novel about passion, loss, and the healing power of love.The Gardener is a reflection of the beauty and allure of the French Riviera. It is a London Dry gin that captures the light, elegance and art de vivre of this celebrated place. Conceived of and handcrafted by the Brad Pitt, Famille Perrin and Tom Nichol, The Gardener is an expression of the land we cultivate and guard for the generations to come. The idea for this book came to me watching my children thriving in my parents’ garden on the farm where I grew up in Hampshire. I have always adored the countryside, but more than that I need it spiritually. Being essentially London children they began to plant vegetables and trees and watch them grow. They became more independent, more imaginative and surprisingly creative. I feel that all children should have access to such simple pleasures in a world where computer games and television dominate so many households. Like a rare organic grand cru, with a unique, intense taste, The Gardener Gin is a return to the classic, combining both purity of flavor and elegance thanks to the exceptional quality of its fresh citruses. Made from wheat in copper stills, the gin rests upon a canvas of juniper, licorice, angelica and coriander. It is a melding of lush greens and brilliant golds, laced through with an unconventional blend of both fresh and dry citruses – pink grapefruit, bright lemon and the yin and yang of sweet and bitter orange from Cap d’Antibes area.

Gardener Collections – The Frenchie Gardener

We’re delighted to announce that Gyre & Gimble have won the IWSC 2023 UK Gin Producer Trophy, and Four Pillars the IWSC … Read more Labai ilgai galvojau, kokį įvertinimą šiam kūriniui skirti. Iš esmės knygos pradžia buvo sunki, veikėjai nedomino, prasidėjo labai lengvabūdiškai: turtingo vyro moteris, kuri nesusitvarko su vaikais, vyras, turintis du gyvenimus, nauja "pradžia". Nuobodu, neįdomu. Į knygą sudėjau visas savo viltis, kadangi dar paauglystėje skaičiau šios autorės kūrinį "Po Italijos saule", kuris vis dar išliko kažkur giliai širdyje. Jau negalėčiau atpasakoti, kokią istoriją pasakojo, tačiau vis dar atsimenu, kaip jaučiausi ją skaitydama. Tikriausiai tos per didelės viltys ir numušė knygos vertinimą. Reziume duočiau 3,5 žvaigždutes. Miranda seems to be a city girl but finds her heart in the country. Where do you feel most at home?

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Readers are always interested in which character an author aligns herself with. Is Miranda’s job as a writer and aspirations as a novelist a hint? Do you find it easiest to write about characters to whom you relate, or ones you feel distant from? Then an enigmatic Frenchman arrives. With the wisdom of nature he slowly begins to heal the past and the present. But who is he? His secret lies in the deepest recesses of the garden, for a garden, like love itself, can restore the human spirit not just season after season, but generation after generation. Born in France and transplanted to the North American continent at an early age, Gaëlle has been exposed to various climates and ecosystems. She feels a deep connection to the Southwest and Santa Fe is where her roots truly took hold. I enjoyed this book - of course, I cried through the last parts of it. It takes a look about what is important as a family. Incorporate stone surfaces. Gravel paths and stone steps not only define the walking paths in a a French-style garden, but they can also provide much-needed drainage during a rainy season. Gravel and stonework will help keep weeds at bay, and we recommend laying down a weed-barrier fabric underneath your pathways.

The French Gardener - Home The French Gardener - Home

It is a quest for perfection, dreamed up by friends who share a dedication to art and craft. An encapsulation of the abundance of the region—sunlight to fresh citrus to wild herbs—The Gardener translates the terroir of the French Riviera and its singular way of life. It is the alchemy of nature, intuition, time and imagination. Within each of us a gardener. Within those moments of conviviality, they dreamed up a spirit that could convey the light, aromas and flavors of the land. Instinctively, they knew it must be a gin, a spirit with the rare ability to translate terroir. A gin of the French Riviera, The Gardener would encapsulate the art-de-vivre – the art of living – in this special place. I adore my London life. I love my friends, the restaurants, shops, theatres and the social side of the city. But I need to return every weekend to the country where I see only my family. I feel at peace in the woods and gardens of my home, where we have a cottage, and fill up spiritually.

Table of Contents

Last week, I wrote about The Winter Sea, and I loved it because it was two stories in one book. I was a little surprised that The French Gardener also contained two separate stories. It has been a joy reading two very good books in a row. Simon gave me the idea for The French Gardener and our children inspired me to write about the simple pleasures of Nature as their DVDs and Nintendo’s gathered dust, replaced by a more wholesome desire to play outside.