Merry Hall

One of the book catalogs that I occasionally get in the mail has been singing the praises of the late Beverley Nichols. Besides writing mystery novels, he also wrote about his adventures in renovating and resurrecting a home in the suburbs of London just after WWII. First published as a collection of magazine columns, he would later on assemble them into a trilogy of books.The first of the trilogy, Merry Hall details his search, at times frustrating, for the perfect house and garden. Very soon he became aware of what land agents (realtors for us Yanks) really meant in their ads, and he started to see his hopes plummet as his hopes were continually dashed. But one listing caught his eye, and with a good friend, he took the journey out of London to look the place over.The estate, spreading over five acres are a compendium of every gardening mistake. Ghastly ornaments litter the grounds -- the previous owner was very fond of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs). And the house, a lovely Georgian mansion, isn't much better. While it hasn't fallen down yet, there are 'additions' that are ugly and inappropriate, and decorating choices of colours that can be best left to the imagination. Not to mention the holly hedges, a stagnant stinking pond of unimaginable depths, and dire warnings from his friend that Nichols is about to step into a money pit that will sap his life and savings.Undeterred by such gloomy words, Nichols falls head over heels in love with his find, especially when he discovers the kitchen garden. Not only is it beautifully kept, but along one wall is a collection of exquisite lilies. Soon, he discovers why there is such order in the midst of such chaos. For along with the house and land comes Oldfield, an ancient gardener of superb talents. Smitten, Nichols signs for the house on the spot, and soon starts on that most dreaded adventure that most home owners endure -- renovations.With his 'valet,' Gaskin, and two cats, 'One' and 'Four' Nichols moves into Merry Hall, and starts the work with a great deal of gusto, and soon finds out that in his own little Eden, there's a few problems. For one, there are the neighbors, Miss Emily and Our Rose, forever scheming to get something out his prized gardens. And Oldfield, is quite another problem altogether. There are towering elm trees and their suckers, the dratted holly hedge (the solution to that one is not one that I would recommend!), and the question of what would you do if you could dream -- and dream big?I loved reading this book. I found myself entranced with Nichols writing about everyday life, the perils and delights of gardening, and living with cats. At times I was helplessly laughing at Nichols' searing wit and lofty views on post-War taste in Britain. He, quite frankly, doesn't give a hoot as to what people will think of him (save Oldfield, for very sensible reasons).Where this story shines, however, is not just in the language and Nichols' skills at writing. It's in his loving, vivid descriptions of flowers and plants, and I found my mouth watering, and desperate looks out at my own wilderness, wondering Could I do it too? The antics of his cats had me in nodding agreement, and plucking at my partner's sleeve and crying out, Listen to this --!Along with Nichols' wonderful prose, there are illustrations by William McLaren in black and white, along with several photographs of Beverley Nichols (including one with 'Four' in his arms). For this new edition, there is also a forward by Ann Lovejoy and an index of all of the plants by Roy C. Dicks. The book itself is a facsimile of the original edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1951. This new edition, only available in hardbound, is published by Timber Press books, and they can be reached at [...] for more reprints of Beverley Nichols books.In short, this is a book to delight any gardener, bibliophile or cat lover's soul. It's funny, at times sorrowful (I cried over 'Two' and 'Three's stories), and came away with a wistful hope that one day too, I would have a wee garden of my own. If you can't purchase this, do try to get your hands on this one at your local library. It is simply too good to miss.Five stars overall, recommended.

Rather than reviewing each Nichols book separately, I will just say I have LOVED all of his books about gardening in England. Continuing to laugh out loud is my reward for reading each book several times. I gave Merry Hall to a new neighbor, editorial director, and Master Gardener, who was overwhelmed by the money-pit feeling of being a first-time home owner of a truly charming house built in the 1930s. She thought he was hilarious.

Where have you been all my life, Beverley Nichols?I stumbled upon this indescribably charming book in a quest for entertaining reading, having seen glowing mention of the gardening series in the Bas Bleu catalog for several years. When I found a used copy for small dollars on Amazon, I decided to give it a try. What a delight. How worth the full price of new volumes.I'm not a gardener, although I do enjoy other's gardens and I especially enjoy reading about gardens and gardeners. I've delighted in Gladys Tabor for years and thought I would never find anyone to surpass her. Nichols does the job.His prose is glowing. His descriptions of plants and people awaken the imagination with flights of fancy. I find myself cheering him on in his quest for objets d'art and flowering fauna and thrill with him as he watches them grow and his garden develop.What a shame a talent like this had to die! But we all do, and Ms Gladys Tabor did, as well. Surely heaven is blooming expansively because of these two. I only hope they met over tea, shared some of their gardening experiences and went on to enthrall the Heavenly Host as they develop their heavenly gardens.

Loved this, will read again and again. Great during the winter when you’re yearning for some green thoughts!

The first volume of a trilogy about the author's time at Merry Hall, this book is more humorous garden writing than strict autobiography. We know (primarily from the dust jacket) that Beverley Nichols was a widely-travelled journalist and prolific author, but aside from the occasional mention that he needs to keep working (hard) to pay the (very high) bills, Nichols doesn't mention his life outside of Merry Hall or, more specifically, its garden. The book begins after WWII, when Mr. Nichols returns from "a job" in India to a ravaged London and develops an overwhelming urge to move to the country and get back to nature in the form of a hopefully large and preferably derelict garden that he can "rescue". After a daunting (and amusingly described) search he miraculously finds what he considers to be a dream property - a Georgian manor house on 5 acres of truly hideous landscaping. With wry wit Nichols tells the story of acquiring the property against the better judgement of friends, and of what is involved in making a run-down manor house habitable, and in dismantling, re-ordering and re-planting 5 acres of gardens. Along the way we meet Oldfield, the very talented but taciturn and somewhat difficult gardener; Gaskin, the long-standing and nearly superhuman manservant; Miss Emily and Our Rose, nosy and perpetually disapproving neighbors; and the beloved cats One and Four. Although avid gardeners will no doubt love this book as they mentally compare notes with the author, one need not have ever dirtied one's hands with compost to enjoy reading it. The narrative meanders like a leisurely stroll in the garden, and Mr. Nichols' faith in the therapeutic powers of gardening is reminiscent of that in The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett). The author's fond and poetic descriptions of the various aspects of his garden, intermingled with his sharp social observations and dry British humor make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. I have already ordered the other two books in the trilogy. An additional note: this is a facsimile of the original 1951 edition; it contains lovely line drawings throughout, and is printed on the nicest paper I have encountered in a long time.

A bit of fun

Nichols, by turn reverent and bitchy, is an engaging writer. The book nicely catches the atmophere of England in the 50s with all its social mores. Compared to today it seems to hang in a place out of time.The story of the purchase of the Hall and the conversion of its garden moves along well aided by some very funny moments. Terrific characters appear in all their eccentricity.A wonderful book to read by the fire with a glass of sherry in an attempt to evoke the period.

Beverley Nichols is a very private man . a gentleman who loves gardensand also keeps an eye on the neigbours and there the fun comes in.I am re-reading the whole series once a year.It is an England where everybody would love to live.

Un'interessante scorcio sull'Inghilterra post-bellica e su uno degli sport nazionali inglesi, il giardinaggio. Il tutto corredato da ironia e umorismo. Ideale per gli amanti delle piante, dei gatti e della cultura inglese in generale.

This book came promptly and in good condition. I stepped back in time when I opened the pages. A gentle, humorous tale, I enjoyed every minute of it. Looking forward to ordering more books by this author.