The Sweet Life: Reflections on Home and Garden

by Laura Stoddart

Book Overview

Laura Stoddart has a devoted following who love the humor and idiosyncrasy of her exquisite, tiny drawings. Now, in this prettiest and wittiest of anthologies, she puts drudgery in its place and elevates the charms of lolling about to new heights. What could be more pleasurable than puttering into the garden, trowel in hand? Perhaps puttering back out, with a cool drink in place of said trowel. Ms. Stoddart's droll little figures toil and tarry their...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811830144
• ISBN13: 9780811830140
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

charmed by gardens

The best word for this book is "charming." It will satisfy anyone who enjoys gardens and fabulous illustrations and quotes. If you are a fan of Laura Stoddart's artwork, then this book is a must have. It is a great not-too-small-not-too-big size, excellent quality, and makes a great conversation piece on the coffee table. You don't have to be a gardener yourself to enjoy Stoddart's charming collection. I live in an 11 story apartment, with no yard of my own, but reading this book makes me feel as though I've taken a trip to the countryside.

Sweet humor....

THE SWEET LIFE is a short book filled with somewhat profound thoughts Laura Stoddart compiled from famous and not-so-famous sources and beautiful illustrations she apparently drew. She thanks her father for the words and her mother for the pictures. Those familiar with A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES might appreciate THE SWEET LIFE as the adult version of a garden of verses.For example, "Who loves a garden, loves a greenhouse too" said William Cowper. Or, these lines by William Cobbett:"How much better, during a long a dreary winter, for daughters, and even sons, to assist, or attend, their mother in the greenhouse, than to be seated with her at cards, or, in the blubbering over a stupid novel, or at any other amusement that can possibly be conceived!"This is the sort of book I like to take with me to the privvy chamber where I meditate daily, or give to others as a little gift from the heart.