The Well Gardened Mind
Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World
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Buy Now for £12.99
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Narrated by:
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Sue Stuart-Smith
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By:
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Sue Stuart-Smith
About this listen
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A Times and Sunday Times Best Book of 2020
How can gardening relieve stress and help us look after our mental health? What lies behind the restorative power of the natural world?
In a powerful combination of contemporary neuroscience, psychoanalysis and brilliant storytelling, The Well Gardened Mind investigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years – working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence.
With illuminating stories of how people struggling with stress, depression, trauma and addiction can change their lives, this inspiring and wise book of science, insight and anecdote – now translated into fifteen languages – shows how our understanding of nature and its restorative powers is only just beginning to flower.
©2020 Sue Stuart-Smith (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedCritic reviews
‘Must be the most original gardening book ever’
SUNDAY TIMES
‘Fascinating … Extends the awareness – backed up by compendious and elegant research – of how mentally enriching it is to swap screen for green … [She] renders a very special service with this book’
OBSERVER
‘Stuart-Smith’s beautifully written book is filled with insights into the joys but also the therapeutic benefits that tending plants can offer …This is a life-affirming study of the pleasures of growing things’
GUARDIAN
‘Combines observation, horticulture, literature and history … it is a book that builds, chapter by chapter … As a reference and an inspiration … There is much here to feed the soul’
THE TIMES
‘An impressive achievement … this is an optimistic book’
SPECTATOR
‘A truly uplifting book on the power of gardening – and how it can change people’s lives. It’s a prevailing reminder that getting our hands in the soil and helping to grow plants and flowers makes all the difference to our minds and wellbeing’
STYLIST
‘A fascinating overlap between the still stumbling science of psychiatry and the ancient art of gardening’
FINANCIAL TIMES
‘A compelling and deeply moving account of how profoundly our wellbeing can be affected through contact with gardening and the natural world. This is a timely call of return. Read it.’
EDMUND DE WAAL
‘An important and timely book … Beautifully written … I urge everyone to read it’
MONTY DON
Sue Stuart-Smith gathers together a lot of the evidence - drawn from a variety of historical and contemporary sources and settings - which confirms much of what we probably innately know, that being close to the earth and experiencing the regeneration of plants can have a positive effect on us. The story of her grandfather, of prisoners and of those suffering Terminal or life-changing injuries are particularly striking.
Topical, both from the perspective of the need to look after our mental health whilst reflecting the return to gardens of allotments that many have experienced during the social isolation of COVID 19 - this should have a wide appeal.
My only real criticism is of the author’s slightly annoying habit of pausing to emphasise quotes that eventually feels rather patronising - like we can’t work that out for ourselves. Whilst I found her soft delivery quite soothing and enjoyable initially, after 8-9 hours, the saccharine sweet monotone, I’m afraid, began to grate.
Reconnecting the mind with the natural order
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Exceptional
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However I was still really struck by the power and quality of the anecdotes and research references and have learned lots about the science and history of using nature as a healing force.
The narration by the author (whilst clear and authoritative) is also calm and gentle which adds a lot to the listening experience.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Really love this book.
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Wise, beautiful and hopeful
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Stunnning
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