Customer Reviews

Gnomes

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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!

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.

I gave this as a gift to my mom and she really
enjoyed it. Lots of good pictures. Very cute.