There are times when you just need a book that’s going to make you smile and get a warm reassuring glow – and certainly I needed this recently with all the madness that’s going on in the world.
“Garden Open Tomorrow” is Late Beverley Nichols (1960s) and combines his traditional witty commentary and gardening knowledge, with more modern topics – a chapter where he relates how the Rachel Carson book “The Silent Spring” had made him rethink his use of pesticides was fascinating, and perhaps unexpected.
The book, of course, is a rambling joy – although ostensibly (and very much!) a gardening book, Nichols goes from the effects of cold on gardens, to cats and their ballet dancing, gardening for the elderly, how to deal with lime infested soil and which roses belong to which composers, while ranging over umpteen subjects on the way. My edition is a lovely book club one from the Readers Union which came with a wonderfully intact dustjacket, and has lovely illustrations by William McLaren – which *really* add to the joy of the book!
I could of course simply go on about how lovely the book is, but I thought instead I would share some of Nichols’ bon mots with you in the hope they will make you smile as well. I don’t know how well they will translate out of the context of the book, but they certainly made me happy!
On animals and music:
I have always believed that between animals and music there exists a strange affinity. The cobra coils to the lilt of the flute, the circus bear dances to the cruel rhythm of the drum, and I one had a long and intimate association with a thrush who used to accompany me outside the window of the music-room while I was wrestling – shadow-boxing would be a more accurate way of describing it – with the misty and intricate harmonies of Granados’s ‘Maiden and the Nightingale’.
On the Albertine rose and its relationship to music:
Albertine. I associate this with Lehar because it is the epitome of an old-fashioned operetta. It is so pink and fluffy and feminine that when you see it clambering round the bedroom windows you almost expect a rather elderly (but still attractive) soprano to pop her head through the curtains and burst into song. Stranger things have happened.
On challenging established ideas such as the one that all babies are beautiful:
… a moment’s honest reflection must reveal the fact that… most babies, to the impartial eye, are of considerable hideousness, with bald pates and lunatic expressions. Though obviously to be treated with kindness, they should be removed from the view of all but their parents from the first few months of their lives and kept, if possible, behind screens.
On describing some daffodils and his propensity to let his pen get carried away:
If you go to the Savill Gardens in the early spring one of the most ravishing spectacles is provided by the hosts of miniature daffodils shimmering in golden pools under the leafless trees, tumbling in a medley of yellow down the banks, or preening themselves by the side of a winding stream. As my pen is obviously straying very near to the purple ink-pot, let us hasten to check it….
On why people visit stately homes:
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, for example, would be the first to admit that for every person who pays to see his daffodils at least two pay to see his Daimlers. These ancient horrors, these hideous precursors of the machine age, have an almost morbid attraction for the ton-up generation; to watch a bunch of youths staring at them, even attempting to fondle them is to be reminded of a group of stage-struck juveniles conjuring up erotic fantasies about elderly actresses. Again, when the turnstiles tinkle at the Duke of Bedford’s Woburn Abbey, the number of people who are eager to study the Canalettos is probably less than the number of people who are eager to study the duke.
On the photographic illustrations in an engineering prospectus:
… the only engineering prospectus I ever read was written in such purple prose that it was almost embarrassing. So were the photographs, portraying enormous square-shouldered engineers, standing by their bridges and their pylons, with their wives fluttering in the background. The engineers were gazing at their gaunt, skeletal creations with such obvious ecstasy that they seemed to be longing to commit some sort of mechanical adultery.
On John Betjeman:
One of the few reasons for hoping that the entire population of Britain is not nuts is the popularity of John Betjeman’s poetry.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 07:05:32
Wonder what he’d have made of this year’s political events…sounds like another age, but still in living memory
Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:24:11
I think he’d have been appalled at the intolerance and nastiness of the modern world. He does engage with it in the book (well, the 1960s anyway) and it’s fascinating to see his response to the growing concern about the environment.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 07:48:28
It’s both sad and comforting to know that so many of my online friends share a sense of dismay about the state of the world right now. Sad because yes, it’s very sad indeed, but comforting to know that around the world there are still great people sharing the same sort of values and who are not going to stay quiet!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:21:47
It certainly is reassuring to know we’re not alone and that there are others horrified by the madness of the world.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 09:53:37
I must read some of him – I remember sending you one ages ago and I neglected to read it first. Sure I can come upon some if I keep my eyes open. What fabulous writing!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:21:18
You did – you sent me a lovely book! His writing is just a joy and it was exactly what I needed in a crazy world.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:00:07
What a joy! A perfect reminder of simple pleasures in a world gone mad.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:20:53
It is – and I do feel in need of reconnecting with the ordinary everyday delights.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 12:20:10
My husband (you do know he died 4 years ago now) loved Betjeman’s poetry. I keep a Collected Poems by the side of my bed and read one before going to sleep sometimes. I also find Samuel Johnson’s Ramblers, Idlers, Adventurers of great comfort.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 14:05:20
I can understand why your husband loved Betjeman – he’s such a comforting and entertaining read. I have some collections of his essays which might be ideal for trying times.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 12:45:53
The kind of book I would love to read now. I particularly like the excerpt about the babies (it seems you cannot say such things nowadays) but the others are equally true but said with humour. Let’s see! Perhaps we lack humour in 2016, humour turned towards ourselves and our society.
Love your post, Kaggsy (as usual…) 🙂
Nov 22, 2016 @ 14:04:12
Thank you! I must admit I do like that old-style humour. We do seem to have lost some of our ability to mock ourselves, but I think it’s healthy to do so!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 15:17:09
You are right!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 15:36:17
🙂
Nov 22, 2016 @ 13:28:34
I have had Nichols’ Cats X, Y & Z on my shelf for literally decades, unread. (Why?) What a treat I have in store!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 14:03:20
You have! His prose is always wonderful and as he loved cats it should be a great read!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 13:54:33
It seems like a charming book for an avid reader and an avid gardener like me. Thanks for the lovely review! Will check it out.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 14:02:52
Welcome! If you like books *and* gardening, Beverley wrote tons on the subject – and every one I’ve read has been worth reading! 🙂
Nov 22, 2016 @ 14:14:24
My kind of reading!! thank you again xoxox
Nov 22, 2016 @ 15:36:55
Oh gosh, I properly giggled out loud at the one about babies, with their “bald pates and lunatic expressions”. I’ve liked the look of Nichols for years; now I KNOW I’ll love him.
Nov 22, 2016 @ 15:38:33
He *does* have a wonderful turn of phrase – if you like the quotes I think you should definitely seek out some of his books!
Nov 22, 2016 @ 16:59:17
My favourite bit was the one on babies, too. Couldn’t agree more with him !
P.S. looking forward to reading your commentary of The Sack of Bath. I’m told it has very nice pictures ?
Nov 22, 2016 @ 19:43:31
It’s packed with photos and as I have a bit of an interest in architecture, I’m really looking forward to it!
Nov 23, 2016 @ 07:33:51
Sounds like a wonderful read, definitely an antidote of sorts to the nonsense going on all around us. I love those quotes, BN’s voice we seems to come to us from another age entirely.
Nov 23, 2016 @ 09:28:13
It does – and in some ways it’s an age I wish was still here. Although the modern one does have its advantages! But this was a lovely, comforting read and just what I needed.
Nov 23, 2016 @ 13:14:09
Oh SO charming. I used to have the cats book, but, alas it strayed at some point and never came home, but your excerpts reminded me pleasurably of Nichol’s sometimes tart, but never vindictive humour. And THAT is a big difference from, for example the nastiness which can be found on general forums, which often lack genuine humour, but have a lot of vindictiveness which ‘pretends’ to be just a joke.
I think I am going to have to renew acquaintance with the cat-like Nicols. He has a sometimes sharp and warning claw, exactly like puss when she wants to announce that she COULD chastise if she wanted to, but is far too well-behaved to do so, but, still, please, it is time you stopped reading your book and went and opened a tin….
Nov 23, 2016 @ 15:26:26
That’s a lovely description of him – his sharpens can be quite delicious but you feel he does rather have a soft centre. If everyone were like him the world would definitely be a better place.
Nov 23, 2016 @ 19:13:08
I *looooove* Beverley Nichols!! Thanks for your quotations – they certainly had me chuckling!
Nov 23, 2016 @ 21:42:49
Glad you liked them – he really does make me smile! 🙂
Nov 24, 2016 @ 23:45:10
It is the perfect reading when there’s madness in the world! Love all the daffodils.
Nov 25, 2016 @ 08:39:29
I know! Just the perfect type of reading at the moment!
Nov 28, 2016 @ 13:27:09
So, we both were seeking comfort and rest in books about nature. Lovely!
I do have several of Nichols’ books on my list but I haven’t gotten to any of them yet.
I was reading ‘The Moth Snowstorm’ by Michael McCarthy and ‘The Fly Trap’ by Fredrik Sjöberg – enjoyed both. ‘The Fly Trap’ was particularly interesting and unusual.
Nov 28, 2016 @ 15:48:55
Books about gardens really do calm my nerves – especially if they’re written by Beverley! And I hadn’t heard of either of the books you mentioned before but they sound lovely!
Nov 28, 2016 @ 22:49:13
Such a good suggestion for comfort reading — I’ve always enjoyed his commentary, so amusing to read. I have quite a number of his books so maybe it’s time to pull one out again.
Beverley Nichols – Cats’ A.B.C. | Lady Fancifull
Dec 01, 2016 @ 15:05:39
Paul Gallico – Jennie | Lady Fancifull
Dec 09, 2016 @ 17:11:58
Nov 01, 2017 @ 07:23:04