A Countrywoman's Year
Title: A Countrywoman’s Year
Author: Rosemary Verey
Publication Year: 1989
Genre: Biography
Lately, I’ve seen an onslaught of ‘aesthetic’ content on my social media feeds (most notably on Instagram). I don’t think it would be too bold to assume that much of this could be credited to the now multi-generational obsession with TikTok. Although I’ve somehow avoided getting sucked into it, I have suddenly noticed the term ‘Cottagecore’ floating around. According to Wikipedia and the Urban Dictionary, it is defined as “an internet aesthetic which celebrates a return to traditional craft forms such as foraging, baking, and pottery.” In other words, Cottagecore is based almost entirely on the nostalgic romanticization of a rural lifestyle.
The aesthetic itself, as gorgeous as it appears on our Instagram feeds, often presents itself through images of young, white women who turn to Cottagecore as a form of self-expression. This is problematic in itself, as it idealizes the rural lifestyle that is the reality for millions of BIPOC and often lacks inclusivity and representation. A Countrywoman’s Year, a 1989 biography written by garden enthusiast Rosemary Verey, presents the realities of the Cottagecore-Esque rural lifestyle that has been so heavily popularized in the past few months.
The book arrived delicately wrapped in brown paper and twine from my favorite Etsy store, Bookish Pursuit. I purchased it on a whim after learning about its author from an article. Rosemary Verey was an internationally known English garden designer, lecturer, and writer responsible for the creation of the picturesque garden belonging to the Barnsley House located in Gloucestershire. She also designed the gardens for famous clientele such as Elton John, Princess Michael of Kent, and Charles, Prince of Wales. With no previous interest or experience in the world of horticulture, I didn’t know what to expect from Verey. Before even opening the book, I found myself fascinated by the 1989 edition cover art: a wood engraved illustration of a garden by artist Howard Phipps. I was delighted to find that for each of the 12 short chapters in the book (dedicated to each month) similar gorgeous illustrations were included in its pages by 10 other artists.
“We know man takes great pleasure in creating a sense of order by devising geometric shapes in architecture and gardens but when we see regularity in the world of nature we react with surprise.” - Rosemary Verey
With this book, Verey allows readers the unique opportunity to step inside the world of a woman who dedicates her life to horticulture. In each chapter, she shares detailed accounts of the extensive efforts she takes to maintain her garden at the Barnsley House for each month. Verey also discusses the present plant and animal life that influence the success and overall health of the garden with a gorgeous illustrative language and personal anecdotes. For example, in the Hawthorne and other Blossoms section of her June chapter, Verey describes the beauty of the hawthorn blossom along the lanes of her countryside town among other blossoms (one of which includes the Cow-Mumble). Of the latter, she writes, “it looks delicate and lovely with the sun shining through it on days when the earth is warm, the air is cool.”
While many of the experiences she offers readers seem nearly storybook-like, much of her writing also comes across as highly conversational and calming. I found myself drawn to the book in moments where I desired the feelings of simplicity and beauty that I experienced every time I opened it. Although I still have very little desire to pursue gardening, the book inspired me to learn more about the love for one’s craft it takes to live a lifestyle committed to horticulture. While the book may be perceived by many as the embodiment of the idealistic Cottagecore aesthetic and values, the book could be more accurately used as a depiction of the realities of a life dedicated to a more “rural” and horticultural based lifestyle that isn’t as celebrated or idealized on social media.
Overall, this book is highly enjoyable and informative! I would readily recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in learning more about what it takes to design and run a successful garden or are just interested in what life is like in the more rural English countryside. As it is not widely available, I would recommend scouring online databases and markets like Etsy that specialize in unique and collectible literature (and check out the link above to the amazing book store where I found my copy). Thank you for reading another one of my book reviews and I hope you enjoyed it!
My Overall Rating: 8/10
Bisous,
Maya.