AUDIOBOOK
About
Published in 1899, The Solitary Summer is a charming companion to von Arnim's earlier novel Elizabeth and Her German Garden. As with its prequel, the novel is semi-autobiographical and in the form of a series of diary entries. The narrator decides to spend one summer alone in her country house far away from the demands and distractions of the world. She offers us a witty and lyrical account of a solitary summer, filled with reading and reflections on her beloved garden. However, her months removed from society turn out to be less solitary than planned: there is her husband, 'the Man of Wrath', to pacify, three young children to amuse, and the arrival of a regiment of soldiers. Light-hearted in tone, The Solitary Summer describes a voyage of self-discovery set against the idyllic backdrop of an ever- changing summer garden.
Related Subjects
Reviews
"Lucy Scott brings her clear British English to this work, a sequel that was rushed out, I fear, to capitalize on the success of von Arnim's earlier well-loved book, ELIZABETH AND HER GERMAN GARDEN, published in 1898. This slight audiobook, set in Pomerania in the 1890s, is amusing for those who like gardening. Scott adds a touch of humor and affection to Elizabeth's conversations with her husband, her three young daughters, and her succession of gardeners. Scenes of her goodhearted attempts to educate villagers are included, as well. Overall, Scott tries hard to keep the listener's interest alive, and she achieves good clarity, but otherwise her narration reflects the lackluster qualities of the story. S.H.H. � AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine"
AudioFile