Richard Mabey: The accidental Garden
Shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 2025
Arguably one of Britain’s greatest living nature writers, Richard Mabey delivers a thoughtful and erudite meditation on the quiet struggle for supremacy in our gardens—between humans asserting their control and the countless other organisms quietly pursuing their vital lives.
In Mabey’s Norfolk garden, nature is not merely a backdrop but an equal partner. Ants sow cowslip seeds across parched grass, self-seeded roses emerge from gravel, and new ecological wonders arise amid disordered seasons and climate change. Here, the everyday becomes extraordinary—a microcosm of the natural world’s resilience and unpredictability.
This is Mabey at his finest: a maverick observer, full of curiosity, insight, and an unquenchable sense of wonder. Whether you’re a gardener, naturalist, or lover of nature writing, this book offers a mesmerizing exploration of the hidden life thriving alongside us.
Book Details:
Why You’ll Love It:
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Shortlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 2025
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Reveals the hidden ecosystems thriving in everyday gardens
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A beautifully written reflection on nature, resilience, and ecological wonder
