ny times on my book: ‘sensitive, wise, deliberate, thoughtful and splendidly bossy’
NAILED! Yes, reviewer Dominique Browning, writing in the special summer reading section in Sunday’s New York Times Book Review, offers high praise for my new-old book “A Way to Garden” and to my delight calls me “splendidly bossy.”
Little did she know that Grandpa Roach called me “Marge the Boss” starting when I was about 5, owing to my take-charge inclinations, apparently. (Don’t get my younger sister started on this subject.) Browning also calls me “a natural teacher,” which especially delights me, and recommends the book for both “longtime tillers” and “new gardeners,” which was what I aimed for in choosing what to include, and how to write about it.
Read her review for yourself. (Share it!)
Margaret, Master of her domain, that being her garden and beyond. Without a boss, there is chaos in the garden.
Bosses ‘R Us. :)
I just finished your new A Way to Garden over the weekend and made notes of new ideas and plants and bushes to try. One specific question I have is how you manage to grow verbenia bonariensis seeds so well. Mine have not sprouted after several weeks under lights, whereas other seeds did well. I think I didn’t give them the refrigerator and dark treatment long enough. Wish I lived near you to see all your well thought out landscapes! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations, Margaret! It’s well-deserved! I’m loving the book … and also can testify to your “natural teacher” abilities! Thank you for all. (heart) Nancy
Thank you, Nancy, Much appreciated. So glad to finally “meet” the other day, if in the midst of chaos. :)
Bravo, Margaret! I chuckled with the “splendidly bossy” complement (but we all know that Mother Nature is the boss with the final say).
She is, she is. She will always have her way, no matter how hard we struggle to do as we wish.
Keep Charging, Marge!
Onward we shall go, Ton.
Congratulations!
Thank you, Anna.
Congratulations on this important review. This is well deserved.
John
Margaret,
You should be pleased and proud to have the glowing NY Times review added to the Washington Post review of your re-worked tome. Congratulations!
At the risk of being cast into your compost pile of contrarian emails, I don’t think you’re “bossy” at all. You have made it clear that you are not trying to teach THE way to garden; but rather, A way to garden.
But having noted that, I think the Times reviewer was mistaking “firm”, or even, “entrenched” for “bossy”. When confronted with an opinion different than your’s, I think you just stay silent instead of letting rip with a response of Roachian orthodoxy. FWIW, I don’t view you, or your book, as “bossy”.,
John
So pleased for you, but how could you not of gotten a beautiful review the book is wonderful.
So love the photographs and your vision over all.
You are my hero!
Love,
Kevin
Lovely review, Margaret, of your excellent book. well-deserved congratulations!
Thank you so much for taking time so say so.
What a wonderful review. Congratulations.
I love the book and agree the review is spectacular. Call me “your biggest fan” ?
Someone has to be the boss?! Congratulations!
EXACTLY! :)
That review is marvelous! I love your book and enjoyed the day I came to tour your garden earlier this month. I did not get to talk with you that day, as you were pretty busy, but I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your garden writing, podcast and advice. I don’t see you as bossy, but, rather, I see you as enthusiastic, wise and generous with your knowledge! Keep it coming!
So awesome Margaret! #Bossypants!!
Congratulations!