Customer Reviews

Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While reading this book, I felt as if I was sitting in a backyard garden on a lovely iron park bench with a glass of lemonade in hand, visiting with Emily Whaley herself. Opinionated, honest and full of Southern charm, Emily is a woman of character who has been blessed with the gift of gardening and a heritage of living right. When I first began reading, I expected gardening tips and descriptions of prolific gardens, which I was given. Yet delightfully surprising was having the lessons she had learned in her life unpretentiously and often humorously passed down to me by way of uncluttered recollections. She taught me to "find my own charms" in life and to "compete only with myself" to name so very few. This is one book I will certainly re-read the pages of often throughout my life.

Mr. Whaley has a wonderful way of drawing you into her stories about learning from her family and friends how important gardens and gardening is to life in South Carolina. You feel as if you are sitting at her knee listening to her tell her stories, rather than reading a book.

I have been to her garden and met her and she truly is a marvel. A true South Carolina gardener and gentlewoman.

A small town girl makes it big in downtown Charleston, SC without becoming part of the sophisticated establishment. She is refreshing and free in her opinions and plantings. From simple potted plants to ancient camellias and restful blue hues, Emily gives anyone a sense of peace in her garden. She relates the destruction of three feet of saltwater from Hugo in her garden and how nature bounced back with tender care. Enjoyment in her 80's is contagious for all ages. As I walk the sidewalks in April and see the lavender blossoms from wysteria, I think of young at heart Mrs. Whaley.

A charming book for those who love gardening. It is also a chance to get to know a wonderful lady. Reading the book is like being given a tour of not only Mrs. Whaley's garden but a tour of the Charleston area.

Mrs. Whaley grew up in the same small village where I grew up. It was a thrill to read this book. If you aren't from the south it might be a southern thing, but talking about your roots and your people is a mainstay of southern lifestyle and conversation. I enjoyed the heck out of this little book and give it as gifts in baskets filled with other Charleston charms.

Mrs. Waverly lets you walk not only through her relaxing back yard full of wonderful plants and landscaping ideas, but she also transports you back in time to the wonderful gardens of her past. If you appreciate the fact that nature transcends time, you'll love this book!

I have a special interest in Mrs Whaley's Charleston Garden. Loutrel Winslow Briggs, the landscape architect involved in the design was my father's cousin. He did many gardens in Charleston and elsewhere. This little book is a treasure of southern charm including a few recipes. I keep several copies on my shelf just to share with friends.

Having recently had the opportunity to tour Mrs. Whaley's real Charleston garden, I was most interested to read her book about the creation of the garden itself. The book was delightful. It made me wish I had had an opportunity to meet her and talk with her. She was apparently a spunky, confident Southern lady who was never intimidated by anyone! The book talks about the creation of her garden, which amazingly still looks much like what she describes in her book. But the book is more than the description of her garden--it also relates details about her life in Charleston and about her philosophy of life as well. This is a book well worth reading. It is one I will keep and read again.

Geez, I actually used one of the recipes in this book, put in towards the back. I believe its one of the authors favorites....however, I was surprised at how uncooked my chicken came out according to instructions, non-verbatem, "put chicken in 500 degree oven for about 10-12 minutes." I guess I'm nieve; either that or I figured a little old lady would know how long it took to cook chicken! Thank goodness it wasn't six breasts! Anyways, the rest of the book is pretty hard to get through. There are pockets of good storytelling, but the book wasn't as absorbing as I thought it would be. The book is a little bit about everything on the life and family of Ms Emily Whatley, a South Carolinian who gives us her families history back to Eve. I guess I was supposed to be transfixed. I kept thinking I could take this book in spurts of different "mood." Alas, it was not to be so. When you pick up a book with a grimace, donate it to the library or the goodwill instead! She does mention her garden----but she also mentions alot of other stuff. Its a rambling piece of a little old ladies history of her life; take it or leave it. Its not the most happening thing, but I guess you have to be from Charleston. I have to wonder why this book was published in the first place....I don't understand the appeal....it must be "A Southern Thing." Whatever.