The Gardener

In the novel "The Gardener," Hassie Days buys a run-down Jacobean house in Hope Wenlock on the Welsh Marches and is befriended by eccentric, sharp-tongued Miss Foot, who recommends Murat, an Albanian migrant, to help her in the garden. As she works the garden, Hassie reflects on her past life and experiences the healing power of nature and discovers other worlds. The novel is a paean to green-fingered regeneration and is deeply moving, healing, and wise.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Salley Vickers, the acclaimed author of The Librarian and Grandmothers Artist, has unveiled her latest masterpiece, Sunday Times bestselling novel. Titled Hassie Days, the story revolves around two sisters: Hassie, who purchases a run-down Jacobean house in Hope Wenlock on the Welsh Marches, and Margot, who continues her lavish life in London. Left alone to tend to the vast and neglected garden, Hassie forms an unlikely friendship with Miss Foot, an eccentric and sharp-tongued woman who introduces her to Murat, an Albanian migrant who feels out of place among the locals.

As Hassie works alongside Murat in the tranquil garden, she delves into her past, reflecting on the sibling rivalry that marred her childhood and the unrequited love affair that left her with lingering questions. However, as she embarks on a journey to uncover the history of the house and the enigmatic nearby wood, old wounds begin to heal, and she experiences the transformative power of nature and discovers other worlds.

In her haunting new novel, Salley Vickers showcases her profound psychological insight and her ability to evoke a sense of the numinous power of place that is the hallmark of all her works. With a clear eye and a light touch, she paints vivid portraits of her characters and weaves a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. The Gardener is a novel of regrowth and regeneration, of sisters overcoming a toxic parental legacy and of the healing power of seed packets.

Patrick Gale praises Vickers for her ability to blend rigorous storytelling with charm, describing the novel as a paean to green-fingered regeneration that is both rigorous and charming. The Observer hails it as a profoundly moving, healing, and wise antidote to our urban anxiety, praising Vickers for her ability to create a world that is both captivating and relatable.

Joanne Harris, the author of Chocolat, also praises The Gardener, describing it as a perfect blend of mystery, emotion, and the redemptive power of place. She praises Vickers for her ability to create a world that is both magical and grounded in reality, and for her ability to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in her readers.

In conclusion, The Gardener is a remarkable novel by Salley Vickers, a master storyteller who has once again proven her ability to captivate readers with her vivid prose and profound insights. The story of Hassie and Murat, and their journey through the garden and the surrounding countryside, is a testament to the healing power of nature and the redemptive power of human connection. This is a novel that will leave readers feeling inspired, uplifted, and filled with hope for the future.

Weight: 214g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241991176