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reviews
Jan 30, 2011
LaNae
rated it: 
I should have read Elizabeth and her German Garden first, as this is a follow up to that book. The book is somewhat autobiographical, about her attempt to spend a solitary summer in her garden. I enjoyed a lot of the author's general observations in her unique voice. Some of my favorites are below.
On the pursuit of money: "What a waste of life, just getting and spending. ... They are only pennies, after all --unpleasant, battered copper things, without a gold piece among the More...
On the pursuit of money: "What a waste of life, just getting and spending. ... They are only pennies, after all --unpleasant, battered copper things, without a gold piece among the More...
Sep 25, 2010
Jenna
rated it:
VonArnim has a witty writing style. The Solitary Summer is not quite as good as The Enchanted April but a nice classic.
The main female character spends five months reflecting on her surroundings and the people in her life. So even though she is not alone during this time she wanders from day to day alone in her thoughts wondering why things are the way they are. She wants to dig in the dirt, scold the villagers, tell the visiting army to go away ...
To me VonArmin was allowi More...
The main female character spends five months reflecting on her surroundings and the people in her life. So even though she is not alone during this time she wanders from day to day alone in her thoughts wondering why things are the way they are. She wants to dig in the dirt, scold the villagers, tell the visiting army to go away ...
To me VonArmin was allowi More...
Jun 25, 2011
Vivianne
rated it:
Engaging, illuminating, exasperating, poetic, sentimental, very personal. It tells of an aristocratic German woman's long summer in the late 1890s, without visitors, enjoying the pleasures of her garden, her books, and her three daughters. She is afflicted with the annual two weeks of soldiers quartered in the house and visits the village. Her class/social attitudes are shocking but much of her other thoughts were very sympathetic. Her daughters and their opinions of God and snails are charming.
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Jul 08, 2009
Bre
rated it:
The chapters are named after months of the year. Again, Mrs. von Arnim takes the reader into the pages of a journal, and what a delight.
The first sentence reveals the thought behind the book," I want to be alone for a whole summer, and get to the very dregs of life. I want to be as idle as I can, so that my soul may have time to grow."
Love it!
This is a hot-bath-in-the-middle-of-a-deep-dark-winter-day sort of book.
It is only extraordinary in its simple More...
The first sentence reveals the thought behind the book," I want to be alone for a whole summer, and get to the very dregs of life. I want to be as idle as I can, so that my soul may have time to grow."
Love it!
This is a hot-bath-in-the-middle-of-a-deep-dark-winter-day sort of book.
It is only extraordinary in its simple More...
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Mar 22, 2010
Mandy
rated it: 
A companion to Elizabeth and Her German Garden about the protagonist's desire and attempt to spend the whole summer alone in her garden. Our old favourites appear, the affectionately portrayed Man of Wrath and the barely distinguishable April, May and June babies, but some new characters appear too, such as a soldier Elizabeth does her best to avoid. I found this work darker than German Garden, her description of the poverty and ignorance in the village I found slightly disturbing; yet it was us
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Nov 09, 2010
Leslie
rated it:
Well this is definately one of my favorite books ever. I kept checking to see how much was left and winced to see the right side of the book dwindling. Yes it's true that this seems to be a book about nothing. Well, let me set you all straight, this book is about just who exactly, deep inside, for real and goodness' sake this woman was. And who she was, first of all, brave, for sharing it all with us. She was also very funny and had this beautiful sense of just what beauty is. I loved her
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(1 person liked it)
May 26, 2009
Bunny
rated it:
Another lovely book. Von Arnim is a woman after my own heart as I got to spend a month alone once, refusing to answer the phone, go anywhere or see anyone. One of the nicest experiences of my life. Again an intelligent conversation from a woman who reads, writes and thinks clearly, sensibly and amusingly.
Jun 21, 2009
Helen
rated it:
This is the sequel to Elizabeth and Her German Garden. It is a series of essays (two for each month from May through October). The book is not about solitude at all, but about the desire for solitude in someone who finds herself surrounded by people. Here again a sweet, humorous account of a woman, her family and her lifeline--the garden.
Jan 17, 2012
Belinda
rated it:
I'm a huge fan of E Von Arnim, but mostly her gardening/autobiographical books. She had a sharp mind and could be very funny.
Jul 01, 2010
Gail
rated it: 
This was a pleasant read--a memoir about a quiet summer spent mostly alone in her garden.
Jun 23, 2010
except for calling her husband "man of wrath" this wasn't very interesting
Jan 29, 2012
I recently found this book in the used books section of a Barnes & noble. the cover is so beautiful and intricate- they certainly don't make books like these no more [I'm talking about the binding, etc.] Also, it's a very mysterious book- but after reading just a few pages I was hooked and couldn't pass on buying it :3 it's a great summers read and I love the main character.
we'll see how it goes!
ps: I hope more people find this book!
we'll see how it goes!
ps: I hope more people find this book!
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