Saturday, 17 March 2018

The Knot by Jane Borodale

Having visited Lytes Cary Manor a lovely National Trust Property not far away, and loving historical novels, I put this book on my long list of reserves at the Library.  It finally came in this week.   I've only read up to page 74, and already I am completely enthralled by Jane Borodale's style and the amount of research is evident right from the start.

Being a keen gardener and enjoying the many aspects of the process of setting out a new garden, choosing and collecting plants, Henry Lyte's research for his book, and his relationship with his gardener, the buying of seed, and visit to Wells to pick up rooted cuttings of gillyflowers from Mistress Shaw, is so touchingly described.

The novel has a great sense of place, and feeling for the area, with a variety of interesting characters such the blind basket maker Widow Hodges weaving the local withies into baskets.  I want to read and reread passages.....there is suspense too.



I shall want to revisit Lytes Cary Manor very soon, and read Jane Borodale's first book too....

6 comments:

  1. Reading your post has just made me realise that this book is still in my to be read pile more than five years after writing about it on my blog. Hangs head in shame :( I will have to move it up towards the top. I expect that your visit to Lytes Carey must bring the book to life even more Noelle. Have you read Philippa Gregory's books about the Tradescants?

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation...and do you have Tracy Chevalier's At the Edge of the Orchard in the pile?

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  2. I don't often read novels nowadays - but that sounds like one that woud hold my interest. Thank you for the review Noelle. I haven't been to Lytes Cary yet - that is on my to-do list. ;-)

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    1. Add to your list on the same line as meet up with Noelle again!

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  3. PS I read the one about the Tradescants - some years ago. It is fascinating. I couldn't cope with the Tracy Chevalier one (if it is the one set in America) - it was so gloomy I had to abandon it in the mud swamp!

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    1. It's well worth persevering beyond that bit...later very interesting.

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