Catalogue

BACK

Title:	Common Ground
Authors:	Marriott,Janice/Pawsey,Viginia
Genre:	Non Fiction: New Zealand
Pages:	239
Year:	2008
Language:	English
Description:	Janice Marriott and Virginia Pawsey went to school together and then met again after thirty years at their school reunion. They rekindled their friendship and began writing to each other, discovering in the process a shared passion for gardening despite their having created two very different gardens: Janice lives in central Wellington and Virginia helps run a South Island high country farm. Their correspondence tells the story of their lives. NZ Interest. [Larger font] Comments from Groups: Thoroughly enjoyed it on many levels. Both authors coming to terms with their own grief in an understated way, their own life stories and rich gardening information. Wellington 029 Loved it. The many gardeners in our group found that part of [the book] interesting and the personal stories were well told. Palmerston 013 There was a varied response to this book. Some members loved it and some could just not get into it at all. The idea of a year in the gardens seemed laboured... and rather repetitive..... christchurch 136 Not a very popular book. A bit light, but nice recipes and some very nice descriptions.... Ashburton 017
Categories:	Non-fiction NZ, Biography, Personal Interests, Blind Low Vision library, Larger font

Reviews

[Please log in to write a review]

By: CHCH 449		2024-04-06 19:44:18

Most of the group are gardeners so we enjoyed the comparison of gardens and other life experiences that were shared. The women's lives stimulated good discussions about a variety of topics they discussed. However, several of us didn't complete the book ... we had learned enough of Janice & Virginia's lives.

By: ASHH 001		2023-07-13 13:16:07

All our members are gardeners, so this book ticked the boxes for us. A good "slip-into" book at bedtime, but the trials and tribulations resonated. The themes of loss and grieving and sustaining friendships also struck a chord.

By: WELL 020		2023-06-07 12:14:36

A very pleasant book that most of us had already read. Not very challenging.

By: FEILD 005		2022-03-16 09:40:26

An easy read. We enjoyed the banter between the two. Some who are not keen gardeners found the plant names rather monotonous . Others absolutely loved it.

By: TIMAR 004		2020-02-05 10:07:28

Our group loved this book and could relate well to both authors and their lifestyle and gardens, while at the same time sympathising compassionately with their sad losses.

By: PAHIAT 001		2020-02-05 10:03:24

Everybody enjoyed the book though some were less avid gardeners, and thought the pair excessive. We did find plenty of background personal information to discuss, and felt the gardens expressed the personalities of the writers very well, as well as becoming an outlet for a multitude of emotions. Our library has an illustrated 'coffee table' version of the book, in which there are very beautiful and helpful illustrations of both gardens and very different landscapes.

By: WHANGA 001		2020-02-05 09:58:28

An enjoyable, light read. 50/50 split between "like" and "dislike". A book you could pick up and read a chapter of at any time and not lose the thread. Stimulated lots of discussion on friendship.

By: AUCK 063		2020-02-05 09:56:20

Not a high scorer, but enjoyed for local flavour.

By: INVER 017		2020-02-05 09:53:38

Most people enjoyed the book and felt it was a lovely way to represent friendship. The notes were really good and the group enjoyed the questions.

By: CHCH 050		2020-02-05 09:52:24

All the members thoroughly liked this book. Found it a great read. The notes were very good, and a lot of discussion was created. A book to be recommended.

By: INVER 002		2020-02-05 09:50:17

An easy read - the gardeners enjoyed it and some even made notes. Ex farmers enjoyed the familiarity of the chores!! Went to the library for the 4th book 'Changing Lives' to get an update!

Catalogue

Comments from Groups:

Reviews