Elizabeth and her German Garden is a semi-autobiographical book written in 1898 by Elizabeth von Arnim (author of The Enchanted April) about her life and garden in the area of Nassenheide, Pomerania, where the family had their estate (her husband was minor nobility). In this book you will be frequently confronted with paragraphs like this one: I wish the years would pass quickly that will bring my garden to perfection!

It sounded like the dark ages as ‘Reading is an occupation for men, for women it is a reprehensible waste of time. From what I remember von Arnim did not actually have the garden she describes in this delightful book — it is written in the form of a diary with the first entry being May 7 (springtime and how much she looks forward to the blossoming of flora) and the last entry being April 18 almost a year later. The whole is enlivened by Elizabeth’s sharp wit and sense of the ridiculous: her grandfather, on the death of his wife, comforts himself by developing a new potato variety which he names, Consolation in Grief. Her memoir was loaded with those funny long sentences containing plenty of commas, semi-colons and dashes that were in fashion back then. When some escaped cows threaten to trample the garden, the June Baby grabs a stick bigger than herself and holds the astonished cows at bay until help arrives.She is also somewhat affected - of course the book was written over a hundred years ago, and does not refer to her family by their names. Undoubtedly, Elizabeth’s love for gardening and her German garden is the strongest attraction of this memoir. And her quick explanation of the dejected gardener who walked around with a spade in one hand and a revolver in the other. However, amidst all opposition, she works on what is close to her heart, what gives her peace and comfort, and most importantly, what helps her to balance and incompatible marriage; she works on her garden and her writing. Al principio pensé que iba a hablar demasiado para mi gusto de flores y plantas, no es que no me gusten pero sólo sé distinguir las más conocidas y temía perderme, pero no.

These women accept their beating with a simplicity worthy of all praise, and far from considering themselves insulted, admire the strength and energy of the man who can administer such eloquent rebukes. I know the intention was to be humorous, but I was ready to get away from all three women and back into the garden, alone! From time to time her husband, dubbed the Man of Wrath, makes an appearance, putting a damper on things but doing little to earn his moniker.Actually, I preferred the beginning where the reader is kept wondering, postulating and considering what is meant. It is an idyllic life made possible by her privileged background and access to governesses, maid servants, and itinerant gardeners. With their unique humour and brand of rebellious feminism, these won high critical praise and gained a wide readership across the world. When World War II broke out she permanently took up residence in the United States, where she died in 1941, aged 74. Well, but think how much colder you would have been without all that fur you ate for lunch inside you,’ she said.