Gnomes are the mascots of the English garden. Loved and loathed in equal measure, they nonetheless hold a unique and essential place in the country's garden heritage. Award-winning photographer and author Vivian Russell presents an intimate portrait of these often shy garden dwellers, photographing and writing about ten gardens in which they are to be found. This book celebrates the various ways people have used them in their gardens, creating Lilliputian worlds of great charm and originality.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
"A sense of the ridiculous ... is one of life's best levellers," writes writer and photographer Russell (Monet's Garden, etc.), and there are few things more ridiculous and strangely entertaining than garden gnomes. Russell combines an eye for the absurd with a genuine appreciation for these jovial figurines, photographing them in a wide variety of positions and outrageous situations. There is an all-gnome chess set, a gnome fishing on the side of the road and even a gnome with a laptop and a cell phone. The diversity of painted facial expressions is remarkable. Each statuette possesses a unique personality, though all exude a level of joy. As Russell writes, "gnomes are optimists, they breathe contentment," and it is impossible to look at these photographs without smiling. In her travels, Russell has met some extreme gnome fans, such as an elderly man who dresses like a gnome twice a week. Although readers will probably not reach the same level of obsession, they will undoubtedly enjoy flipping through these delightful, vibrant photos and reading Russell's fond musings on these adorable garden accessories.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"'There were gnomes all over the garden, giving the place a jovial feel. It was as if nature was smiling, enjoying a joke under the sun, always laughing, always aware of the essential humour of all living things. The gnomes seemed to be laughing at all stress, all fretting, all inflation of human things to levels of greater importance than they truly deserved.' from In Arcadia, Ben Okri"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Whole lotta gnome photos,
This review is from: Gnomes (Hardcover)
If you want to see a lot of different styles of gnomes, a lot of gnomes grouped together and all the crazy ways people collect and put gnomes in their yards, this is the book for you. This is not a book so much about the fantasy species of Gnome, but about actual garden gnomes - the statue kind. It does have information in it about both garden gnome statuary and "real" gnomes. It discusses the gnomes as if they are sentient while still acknowledging that they are statues. Learn about the garden gnome sanctuary in England and gnome holidays and learn that, if you are crazy about garden gnomes, you are not alone!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gallery of gnomes,
By
This review is from: Gnomes (Hardcover)
Gnomes were originally introduced into gardens to enhance their appearance but you can now find gardens where the gnomes, rather than the vegetation, are the focal point. In this book, the author-photographer provides an introductory text giving a brief history of gnomes before treating us to an impressive display of photographs, all in color, that clearly illustrate why so many people love gnomes. It seems that the best place to see traditional gnomes is Sweden but it is in Britain where gnome culture is strongest.
Gnomes clearly work hard without complaint - they can be seen mowing the lawn and pushing wheelbarrows, always looking happy while going about their business. Another picture shows a gnome climbing a telegraph pole using a rope or pulley. Several pictures show them fishing while one captures the moment when a gnome is reeling in a catch. The author clearly loves gnomes but is perhaps less fanatical than the woman who set up the gnome reserve in Devon, England, which was the setting for a significant number of the photographs. I have visited Devon many times (though mostly long, long ago) and I've seen many of its attractions including the monkey reserve but I didn't know about the gnome reserve. The book does not give exact locations of any of the gnomes featured in the book (for fear of theft or vandalism) but if the Devon gnome reserve is open to the public, this book will certainly increase public interest on it. If you love gnomes, you will find this book irresistible. If not, perhaps this review will persuade you that gnomes have more to offer than you imagined.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice gift,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Gnomes (Hardcover)
I gave this as a gift to my mom and she really
enjoyed it. Lots of good pictures. Very cute.
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