Garden Against Time

Garden Against Time

Olivia Laing, 2025

Overview

This book explores the concept of paradise through the lens of gardens. Olivia Laing began restoring a walled garden in Suffolk, leading to an investigation of paradise and its historical associations. The narrative moves between real and imagined gardens, examining the cost of creating earthly paradises, from Milton's Paradise Lost to aristocratic pleasure grounds funded by slavery. It also highlights gardens as sites of rebellion and communal dreams, such as Derek Jarman's queer utopia and William Morris's vision of a common Eden. These experiments in living offer vital perspectives for the era of climate change, presenting gardens not as escapes but as spaces for encounter and discovery.

Who it's for

• Readers interested in the intersection of nature, history, and social commentary.
• Those who appreciate thoughtful explorations of art, literature, and utopian ideals.
• Individuals seeking inspiration for sustainable living and community building.

Key features

• Format: Paperback
• Author: Olivia Laing
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• ISBN: 9781529066708
• Pages: 336
• Dimensions: 197x129 mm
• Weight: 230 gr.
• Publication Year: 2025