The Garden of Small Beginnings
A Novel
(Sprache: Englisch)
"A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book"* that's "filled with characters you'll love and wish you lived next door to in real life"** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years-ever since...
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years-ever since...
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"A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book"* that's "filled with characters you'll love and wish you lived next door to in real life"** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years-ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she's just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she's becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks-like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there's that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can't be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she'll soon discover-with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners-is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...
READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
*HelloGiggles
**Bustle
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***This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof*** Copyright © 2017 Abbi Waxman
Prologue
It s been more than three years since my husband died, yet in many ways he s more useful than ever. True, he s not around to take out the trash, but he s great to bitch at while I m doing it myself, and he s generally excellent company, invisibility notwithstanding. And as someone to blame he s unparalleled, because he isn t there to contradict me, on account of being cremated. I talk to him a lot, though our conversations have devolved from metaphysical explorations of the meaning of death to generic married conversations about what to have for dinner, or who s on the hook for the lost tax returns.
When he died in a car accident, fifty feet from our front door, I seriously considered dying too, too. Not because my heart was broken, though that was true, but because my mind was completely boggled by the logistical challenges of living without him. However, it s just as well I didn t, because he would have been waiting for me in heaven, and man, would he have been pissed. He d have made eternity feel like forever, I can promise you that.
I was driving along, letting my brain spiral aimlessly, when my phone rang. It was my sister, Rachel.
Hey, Lil, are you on your way to get the kids? Just the sound of her voice made me smile.
I am. Your knowledge of my daily schedule is embarrassing for both of us. I flicked on the indicator, slowed a little for the light, and made a turn. All with the phone illegally wedged under my ear. Sometimes I astound even myself.
Can you pick something up for me on your way back?
Am I coming to your house? Maybe I d forgotten. It wasn t impossible.
Well, you might have been. How do I know? Anyway, I haven t seen the kids for a couple of days, and you know how they pine.
I laughed. I can honestly say they haven t
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mentioned you once.
She laughed back at me. You know, one day you ll accept they love me more than you, and your denial of it isn t helping any of us move forward.
I pulled into the carpool line, doing the silent eyebrow raise and smile of greeting through the windshield at the teacher on duty. Look, I ll admit they re fond of you. What is it you need, anyway? Something fundamental, like milk, or something more typical, like lubricant and a Duraflame?
Suddenly a small palm smacked the window, making me jump and leaving a smear. Its owner, Annabel, peered in and narrowed her eyes. Her younger sister Clare stood behind her, gazing spacily around. Behind both of them, the teacher smiled tightly, telegraphing long-suffering patience with an undercurrent of threat if I didn t get my ass in gear. I hurriedly hit the door-open button. I d hate for her to drag out the death ray on my account.
My sister was answering me. I need a pound of bacon, some Parmesan cheese, spaghetti, eggs, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of red wine. And butter, of course.
I ll call you back. I straightened my head, dropping the phone on the floor. Do you need help or can you get her in, Bel?
I got it.
Annabel was only seven but had the gravitas of a forty-year-old career diplomat. She d been born that way, calmly mastering breast-feeding, crawling, eating solids, and whatever else I threw at her. She regarded the world resignedly, as if we were exactly as we d been described in the brochure: a little underwhelming, but what can you do? She buckled Clare in, struggling with the straps.
Too tight?
Clare shook her head.
Too loose?
Clare s
She laughed back at me. You know, one day you ll accept they love me more than you, and your denial of it isn t helping any of us move forward.
I pulled into the carpool line, doing the silent eyebrow raise and smile of greeting through the windshield at the teacher on duty. Look, I ll admit they re fond of you. What is it you need, anyway? Something fundamental, like milk, or something more typical, like lubricant and a Duraflame?
Suddenly a small palm smacked the window, making me jump and leaving a smear. Its owner, Annabel, peered in and narrowed her eyes. Her younger sister Clare stood behind her, gazing spacily around. Behind both of them, the teacher smiled tightly, telegraphing long-suffering patience with an undercurrent of threat if I didn t get my ass in gear. I hurriedly hit the door-open button. I d hate for her to drag out the death ray on my account.
My sister was answering me. I need a pound of bacon, some Parmesan cheese, spaghetti, eggs, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of red wine. And butter, of course.
I ll call you back. I straightened my head, dropping the phone on the floor. Do you need help or can you get her in, Bel?
I got it.
Annabel was only seven but had the gravitas of a forty-year-old career diplomat. She d been born that way, calmly mastering breast-feeding, crawling, eating solids, and whatever else I threw at her. She regarded the world resignedly, as if we were exactly as we d been described in the brochure: a little underwhelming, but what can you do? She buckled Clare in, struggling with the straps.
Too tight?
Clare shook her head.
Too loose?
Clare s
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Autoren-Porträt von Abbi Waxman
Abbi Waxman
Bibliographische Angaben
- Autor: Abbi Waxman
- 2017, 368 Seiten, Maße: 13,4 x 20,3 cm, Kartoniert (TB), Englisch
- Verlag: Berkley
- ISBN-10: 0399583580
- ISBN-13: 9780399583582
- Erscheinungsdatum: 22.06.2017
Sprache:
Englisch
Pressezitat
Praise for The Garden of Small BeginningsAN INDIE NEXT PICK
Brilliant. Simply brilliant. The Garden of Small Beginnings is funny, poignant, and startling in its emotional intensity and in its ability to make the reader laugh and cry on the same page...I loved this book! Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street Novels
If you re looking for a summer beach read with meat, this might well be your book...Waxman develops and explores the characters and their relationship in depth...with moments of humorous writing. The Washington Post
This is my favorite kind of book hilarious, sad, joyful. Beautifully written. Fun. I dare you not to enjoy it. Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of Be Frank With Me
What a treat!! Abbi Waxman is one of the wittiest voices in the world today. The Garden of Small Beginnings is a beautiful book full of humor, heart, and deep insight. An intimate and hilarious journey about a young mom moving on from grief. Reading it gave me the feeling I was talking to a really funny, open mom-friend sharing secrets about life, love, loss, and gardening! Abbi Waxman s quick wit and heart shine brightly throughout this debut novel. I just loved it! Molly Shannon, actress
Funny and poignant. Guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. May make you want to play in dirt and grow a new life of your own. Wendy Wax, USA Today bestselling author of One Good Thing
Waxman's skill at characterization...lifts this novel far above being just another 'widow finds love' story. Clearly an observer, Waxman has mastered the fine art of dialogue as well. Characters ring true right down to Lilian's two daughters, who often steal the show. This debut begs for an encore from Waxman. Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Waxman takes readers from tears to laughter in this depiction of one woman's attempt to hold it all together for everyone else only to learn it's OK to put herself first. Booklist
Kudos to
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debut author Waxman for creating an endearing and realistic cast of main and supporting characters (including the children). Her narrative and dialog are drenched with spring showers of witty and irreverent humor, which provides much respite from the underlying grief theme. Library Journal (starred review)
The Garden of Small Beginnings is a quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book....We re already dying to know if there will be a sequel. HelloGiggles
Waxman s voice is witty, emotional and often profound. InStyle.com (UK)
This novel is filled with characters you ll love and wish you lived next door to in real life. Bustle
Sorrow is usually an occasion for sobs instead of laughter, but Waxman manages to wring many funny and poignant moments from a sober situation. Augusta Chronicle
Lilian Girvan, the central character of The Garden of Small Beginnings, is an illustrator, a mother, a sister, a budding gardener, and a widow, and her perspective on how she s doing with each role doesn t always match up with what readers can see around her. But that trait makes her a more interesting and realistic protagonist, and along with the book s humor and eccentric supporting cast made it a great read. BookRiot
Abbi Waxman artfully tackles grief with humor in her debut novel. Signature Reads
It s impossible not to fall in love with Lilian, a young widow who is still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband four years later....If you are thinking to yourself forget it, I m not reading a gardening book don t worry...THIS IS NOT A GARDENING BOOK! It IS, however, a feel-good, hate-to-put-it- down, kind-of-book! Chick Lit Central
The Garden of Small Beginnings is a quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book....We re already dying to know if there will be a sequel. HelloGiggles
Waxman s voice is witty, emotional and often profound. InStyle.com (UK)
This novel is filled with characters you ll love and wish you lived next door to in real life. Bustle
Sorrow is usually an occasion for sobs instead of laughter, but Waxman manages to wring many funny and poignant moments from a sober situation. Augusta Chronicle
Lilian Girvan, the central character of The Garden of Small Beginnings, is an illustrator, a mother, a sister, a budding gardener, and a widow, and her perspective on how she s doing with each role doesn t always match up with what readers can see around her. But that trait makes her a more interesting and realistic protagonist, and along with the book s humor and eccentric supporting cast made it a great read. BookRiot
Abbi Waxman artfully tackles grief with humor in her debut novel. Signature Reads
It s impossible not to fall in love with Lilian, a young widow who is still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband four years later....If you are thinking to yourself forget it, I m not reading a gardening book don t worry...THIS IS NOT A GARDENING BOOK! It IS, however, a feel-good, hate-to-put-it- down, kind-of-book! Chick Lit Central
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