Fine.
‘This is a book of garden moments.
It is neither a history, nor a story of specific gardens; not a gardening manual, or account of plants, designers, gardeners. As a prospect it contains elements of all these, laying out a perspective of shapes, influences and preferences that occur when nature is organised and the companionship of the earth is considered. Over time, the pleasure, profit, creativity and dreaming reveal how the garden is a constant partner in the landscape of our lives.’ (Susan Allix, from the prospectus).
Taking extracts from Cyrus the Younger, Vitruvius, Columella, Goethe, Arungzeb, Lear, Livy, Faure, Thomas Coryat, John Evelyn, James Fergusson and others, Susan Allix draws together a narrative exploring the spirit of the garden and the human impulse to impose order on nature.
’As a garden, or a progression through the prospects of the garden, the book is planted with shapes, colours, walkways, light and shade. It is sown with different images, each relating to the moment but flowing on to the next view. This is achieved in different ways. Typography changes from one face, one size, to another. Pages are laid out in consideration of their content - for example, openings from Ancient Egypt appear with partitions, in reference to a papyrus or Book of the Dead.’ (Susan Allix*)*