Common Ground
Marriott,Janice/Pawsey,ViginiaJanice Marriott and Virginia Pawsey went to school together and then met again after thirty years at their school reunion. They rekindled their friendship and began writing to each other, discovering in the process a shared passion for gardening despite their having created two very different gardens: Janice lives in central Wellington and Virginia helps run a South Island high country farm. Their correspondence tells the story of their lives. NZ Interest. [Larger font]
Comments from Groups
Thoroughly enjoyed it on many levels. Both authors coming to terms with their own grief in an understated way, their own life stories and rich gardening information. Wellington 029 Loved it. The many gardeners in our group found that part of [the book] interesting and the personal stories were well told. Palmerston 013 There was a varied response to this book. Some members loved it and some could just not get into it at all. The idea of a year in the gardens seemed laboured... and rather repetitive..... christchurch 136 Not a very popular book. A bit light, but nice recipes and some very nice descriptions.... Ashburton 017
Pages
239
239
Year
2008
2008
Reviews
17-07-2023
All our members are gardeners, so this book ticked the boxes for us. A good "slip-into" book at bedtime, but the trials and tribulations resonated. The themes of loss and grieving and sustaining friendships also struck a chord.
07-06-2023
A very pleasant book that most of us had already read. Not very challenging.
16-03-2022
An easy read. We enjoyed the banter between the two. Some who are not keen gardeners found the plant names rather monotonous . Others absolutely loved it.
05-02-2020
Our group loved this book and could relate well to both authors and their lifestyle and gardens, while at the same time sympathising compassionately with their sad losses.
05-02-2020
Everybody enjoyed the book though some were less avid gardeners, and thought the pair excessive. We did find plenty of background personal information to discuss, and felt the gardens expressed the personalities of the writers very well, as well as becoming an outlet for a multitude of emotions. Our library has an illustrated 'coffee table' version of the book, in which there are very beautiful and helpful illustrations of both gardens and very different landscapes.
05-02-2020
An enjoyable, light read. 50/50 split between "like" and "dislike". A book you could pick up and read a chapter of at any time and not lose the thread. Stimulated lots of discussion on friendship.
05-02-2020
Not a high scorer, but enjoyed for local flavour.
05-02-2020
Most people enjoyed the book and felt it was a lovely way to represent friendship. The notes were really good and the group enjoyed the questions.
05-02-2020
All the members thoroughly liked this book. Found it a great read. The notes were very good, and a lot of discussion was created. A book to be recommended.
05-02-2020
An easy read - the gardeners enjoyed it and some even made notes. Ex farmers enjoyed the familiarity of the chores!! Went to the library for the 4th book 'Changing Lives' to get an update!