Putting the infidelity to one side was not easy for me, but the portrayal of the magic of nature, and the garden in particular, was strong enough to keep me reading. The author obviously has a deep connection with the earth and countryside that shone through in her writing and resonated with my own love of the natural world. I liked how she understood the healing qualities of nature, especially with regards to Miranda’s children who blossom when they are allowed the freedom to explore the world around them. I enjoyed this book - of course, I cried through the last parts of it. It takes a look about what is important as a family. At the heart of the story are Miranda—whose blossoming from removed socialite to warm local is so subtle and real you fall in love with her the way the townspeople do—and Ava’s garden, which opens hearts and sustains generations through its enduring beauty. I did not guess the end of this story at all and relished every detail Montefiore gave me about the house and the garden and the people.

The French Gardener - Home The French Gardener - Home

Married couple, Miranda and David, move out of London into a beautiful country house with an idyllic garden. But reality turns out to be very different from their bucolic dream. Soon the latent unhappiness in the family begins to come to the surface, isolating each family member in a bubble of resentment and loneliness. Simon gave me the idea for The French Gardener and our children inspired me to write about the simple pleasures of Nature as their DVDs and Nintendo’s gathered dust, replaced by a more wholesome desire to play outside. It is a quest for perfection, dreamed up by friends who share a dedication to art and craft. An encapsulation of the abundance of the region—sunlight to fresh citrus to wild herbs—The Gardener translates the terroir of the French Riviera and its singular way of life. It is the alchemy of nature, intuition, time and imagination. Within each of us a gardener.

Personally I am really looking forward to reading more of her novels and am disappointed that at the moment there are no more sitting on our bookshelves waiting for me. The Gardener is a reflection of the beauty and allure of the French Riviera. It is a London Dry gin that captures the light, elegance and art de vivre of this celebrated place. Conceived of and handcrafted by the Brad Pitt, Famille Perrin and Tom Nichol, The Gardener is an expression of the land we cultivate and guard for the generations to come. Brad Pitt, the Perrin Family and Tom Nichol today announced the launch of The Gardener Gin, which will be officially presented at the Carlton during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Plants and the world outside have always been a place of wonder for Gaëlle. From her family's apartment plants as a child, to her grandmother's garden, to the countryside of France, plants became very familial. It is that connection that makes Gaëlle passionate about working with nature and keeps her engaged with the very alive world of plants. The Gardener works in harmony with the shifts of the season, the exchange of warmth and cold, the pleasures of living well.

French-style Garden - The Spruce The Elements of a Classic French-style Garden - The Spruce

Some of these are my own observations, others were given to me by Georgia Langton, a friend of my mother’s who’s a talented gardener. These are Ava’s words, because, on a deeper level, Ava’s spirit is still there in the garden – like nature we don’t die, but shed our bodies like leaves and flower again in spirit. Ava’s very much present, enjoying all the beauty of Nature. With its realistic characters and vividly described world, which readers will be reluctant to leave, Montefiore’s charming, moving novel will appeal to fans of Like Water for Chocolate. A perfect book for a lazy summer day.” Why did you decide to organize the novel by season? How do you think this organization will affect the reading of the book? What do you think the passing of seasons meant to your characters? This was yet another started-but-couldn't-get-into book for me, of which I've had my fair share lately.Within those moments of conviviality, they dreamed up a spirit that could convey the light, aromas and flavors of the land. Instinctively, they knew it must be a gin, a spirit with the rare ability to translate terroir. A gin of the French Riviera, The Gardener would encapsulate the art-de-vivre – the art of living – in this special place. Can you give us some more insight into the poetic phrases that begin each chapter? How did you decide on these? How do you hope they set the tone for what follows in the chapter?

Gardener Gin with Tom Nichol Brad Pitt launches The Gardener Gin with Tom Nichol

Out of creativity, and a little bit of necessity, Gaëlle de Tassigny launched The French Gardener in the spring of 2009, never imagining it would grow into the fully developed, fun, and fulfilling business that it is today. Gaëlle leads a dedicated team of experienced individuals who are knowledgeable, reliable, and astute. I love romance novels, gardening, handsome mysterious strangers, and anything to do with England and France. Throw in thwarted love, a mysterious notebook, a cheating husband, a selfish woman learning to love, a grand manor house, and quirky small-town characters and you had me at hello.Your books provide limitless fodder for reading group discussion. What can book club members look forward to next? This is Santa Montefiore at her best – an enchanting read overflowing with deliciously poignant moments. If you love a heartfelt, epic trilogy this is for you. I loved it and can’t wait for more’ Readers are always interested in which character an author aligns herself with. Is Miranda’s job as a writer and aspirations as a novelist a hint? Do you find it easiest to write about characters to whom you relate, or ones you feel distant from?