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Elizabeth and Her German Garden

Elizabeth von Arnim,

Elizabeth Jane Howard (Introduction)

Start date: September 1, 2021

Finish date: September 30, 2021

Discussion: Short Story Classics

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What Members Thought

May 21, 2019 Chrissie rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, 2019-read, fauna, audible-uk, feminism, poland, germany, bio, flora, humor

This is classified as a piece of semi-autobiographical literature and a classic. It was published in 1898, when Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941) was still married to her first husband Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, a Prussian aristocrat. Married in 1891 she became known as Elizabeth von Arnim, although she was born Mary Annette Beauchamp. This is a woman who came to be known under several names, but Elizabeth von Arnim became her most used pen name and by which she is known to family and ...more

26 likes · Like · see review

Sep 03, 2020 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: __tea-scones-shelf, middlebrowish, on-my-shelf

This review is for the audio version narrated by Nadia May. I enjoyed this production, the narration was clear and made the read enjoyable.

I liked this little book a lot. Its in essence diary entries, but it reads more of a novel. I can relate with Elizabeth in many ways, and did like her character a lot. Her escape is her garden, which she describes in some detail, but the book also talks about her family and friends. It revolves generally about her life in this time period which is about a yea ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Apr 04, 2012 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: german-literature, victorians, 3ms, british-literature, fiction-19th-century, read-2012, e-books, buddy-read

Another splendid and poetica novel by Elizabeth von Arnim.

6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 06, 2012 Jenna Scribbles rated it it was amazing

The Diary of an Introverted Woman

(I read the free, Kindle classic offered via Amazon. Unfortunately at the time of my review, that version was not an option on Goodreads.)

If you enjoyed The Enchanted April due to its lovely setting and reflective thoughts of the characters, then you will also enjoy Elizabeth and Her German Garden.

What a wonderful story. We follow the main character during her time spent, mostly alone, in her garden. It's on a hill and far away from town and any social responsibi The Diary of an Introverted Woman

(I read the free, Kindle classic offered via Amazon. Unfortunately at the time of my review, that version was not an option on Goodreads.)

If you enjoyed The Enchanted April due to its lovely setting and reflective thoughts of the characters, then you will also enjoy Elizabeth and Her German Garden.

What a wonderful story. We follow the main character during her time spent, mostly alone, in her garden. It's on a hill and far away from town and any social responsibilities. For many days she is alone with her three young children, the housekeeper, another servant, and her reluctant gardener.

This story was first published anonymously and was wildly successful. Elizabeth - born Marie Annette Beauchamp was later known as Elizabeth Von Armin. *** If you pick up this free Kindle version, be sure to back up and read the forward. It gives additional information regarding Von Armin and her life. For some reason the Kindle ebook opens at chapter one. There is a section before this.

I loved The Enchanted April and also loved this ebook. We spend time with a woman who gives personality to the flowers, listens to the conversations of the owls and frogs, and longs to just be left alone to soak up the solitude. She's rejuvenated by her surroundings and avoids being in the house. Her husband is labeled The Man of Wrath when he comes and interrupts her peace. It's all in fun and a nice, leisurely story.

'My days seemed to melt away in a dream of pink and purple.'

If you have a tiny bit of knowledge of gardening and flowers it may help you enjoy this title more - but perhaps it isn't necessary.

There are plenty of other people in this book as well. We find out how Elizabeth deals with nosey town ladies, relatives, and unwanted visitors. If you are an introvert yourself, you will find your head nodding in agreement at all of her thoughts and feelings.

There are a handful of sentences in German. This free Kindle ebook does not show the translation. I was fine with that, but if you'd like to know exactly what is said, try the ebook - Elizabeth and Her German Garden [annotated].

People routinely antsy for spring and a time when they can dig in the dirt will appreciate this book. Those who wish they could escape to a garden for months on end will certainly enjoy this story. ...more

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Sep 02, 2019 Karen rated it really liked it

Years ago I read The Enchanted April by von Arnim and thoroughly enjoyed it. At the time, I wasn't able to find her other books in the bookstore, so when I came across a collection of her books for the Kindle, I had to download it.
Elizabeth and Her German Garden is her first novel. Although I had almost zero interest in gardening prior to reading this book, the author makes it sound so lovely, I want to give it a try. ...more

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Jun 26, 2019 Audrey rated it liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed all the parts about Elizabeth and her gardening. I can picture her garden in my mind and it was beautiful. There are however a few parts I did not like. Firstly, Man of Wrath. I find him annoying whenever he entered the picture and cannot agree with anything he said. Secondly, Irais and Minora. Gosh I hated when so many pages were spent talking about them and their silly "feud". Both were as annoying as Man of Wrath and when they were around, there was not a single mention about ...more

1 like · Like · see review