An Almost Impossible Thing
The untold stories of women gardeners before World War I
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Little Toller Books
Published:5th Sep '23
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This book chronicles the lives of six women gardeners before World War I, highlighting their struggles and contributions to women's rights and horticulture. An Almost Impossible Thing reveals their inspiring stories.
In An Almost Impossible Thing, the author explores the lives of six lesser-known women gardeners who lived during the years leading up to the First World War. These women navigated a world shaped by the struggles of suffragism, collectivism, and the complexities of Empire. Their stories unfold against a backdrop of social change, as they challenged the norms of their time through their passion for gardening.
Fiona Davison, while working at the Royal Horticultural Society, stumbled upon a collection of letters from a young gardener named Olive, who had been denied a scholarship solely because she was female. This discovery sparked Davison's curiosity and led her to uncover the broader narrative of early female professional gardeners. Through her research, she highlights the pioneering efforts of these women, whose fight against patriarchal constraints significantly impacted the rights and opportunities for future generations of women in horticulture.
An Almost Impossible Thing delves into the idea that gardens can serve as both a refuge and a platform for radical change. The author presents a time when the cultivation of land became a means for these convention-defying women to assert their independence and influence societal norms. This book not only tells the individual stories of these gardeners but also reflects on the larger movements that shaped their lives and the world around them.
ISBN: 9781915068217
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
304 pages