The Cabaret of Plants by Richard Mabey is delightful reading from start to finish. As the title suggests, it is an entertainment with plants at center stage. There is no real narrative arc, more each chapter an essay, though it still manages to feel like everything is connected.
Mabey is an enthusiastic Master of Ceremony. Have you ever watched a British gardening show where the host relates information about plants and gardens and gardeners in a barely contained, almost breathless sort of excitement? (I love these gardening shows and wish Americans would do something like them) Thatβs what Mabey is like no matter what he is talking about whether it be the oldest living trees in the world or the Victorian craze for ferns. He very nearly bubbles over in a long chapter about orchids. While I think orchids are pretty and have some amazing and unusual forms and pollination lures, I am not ga-ga over them like so many seem to be. Mabey loves the orchids and this was the only chapter in the book I found myself wishing it was shorter.
Some of my favorite chapters include one on oak trees and the history of the Green Man. There is a fascinating chapter on cotton and another on maize. And I loved learning about the discovery of carnivorous plants and how it forced us (humans) to re-evaluate everything we knew about plants. There is also a chapter on plant intelligence and how new technology and research methods are revealing significant things about plants and how they communicate to each other, forcing us once again to re-evaluate everything we know about our vegetal companions.
Along the way Mabey drops interesting facts and other bits of information that are often surprising and always delightful. For instance:
Most of the millions of modern cultivated plants would become extinct within a generation if humans were to vanish from the planet.
And, if you are wanting a garden that attracts pollinators, keep in mind that that blue and its shadings into purple and ultraviolet are the preferred color for insects. Yellow is second. As for red flowers, insects canβt see red, it appears black or dark grey to them which explains why I rarely see bees on my red roses.
I could go on and on babbling about the details of the various chapters and the plants Mabey discusses but instead of reading me reading him, just go and read him directly yourself. His book has a message:
plants are never simple victims, passive objects, but vital, autonomous beings, and β¦ listening to and respecting that vitality is the best way we can co-exist with them, and in their difficult times, learn to help them.
I guarantee if you read this book, you will come away with a whole new perspective and greater appreciation of the plant world.
I have never read any book on plants (Yes! Very sad I know) but I am intrigued about carnivorous plants and plant intelligence, especially the latter. I think I will browse through a couple of chapters to test waters! I have a feeling, I will like swimming in this one! Great post as always!
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I’m a bit like Cirtnecce in that I haven’t read a book on plants (or even gardening with all its fascinating history). This sounds pretty fascinating. I have a book of Mabey’s about weeds which I am now rather keen to read.
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Ian, isn’t it a requirement for everyone in the UK to garden and to read at least one book about plants? π I’ve heard Mabey’s book on weeds is really good and I plan on reading that one some time.
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I blame my not reading gardening books by an early exposure to the biography of Vita Sackville West – she was such a snob! Actually, her gardening books and journalism is probably well worth reading!
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Ian, oh you made me laugh! Vita was a kind of garden snob but a very congenial one. I have reprints of a number of her gardening essay collections and she is fun to read.
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cirtnecce, never read a book on plants? Well this would be a great way to start! Mabey is very approachable and fun and you might just get hooked π
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My library branch actually has this; but, it is currently checked out. So I’m first on the wait list! (One of your blog readers must live out here on the island. Seems like every time you post about something you like, and my library has it, someone beats me to it!).
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Grad, oh you will have fun with this one when you’re turn comes around. Perhaps you should start hanging around the library to see who this other person is π
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This book sounds excellent! I can’t wait to read it, especially since I’m about to become a novice gardener (eek!). Thanks for the review!
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How exciting! Good luck with your gardening! And remember to have fun π
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This sounds delightful and enlightening. Adding it to the (ridiculously long) TBR!
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Laila, heh, I know about ridiculously long TBRs! Should you ever get a chance to read it, I hope you enjoy it π
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Sounds really great … I love plants, and stories about them. Which reminds me that my Vocalis essay is two thirds done. I’m back from my holiday now so need to get back to it – I just have to work out how I’m going to end it. It has a good start I think – now, the end … hmmm
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whisperinggums, oh, do you know how excited you have made me? π
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Oh dear! I have writer’s block about the end but l’ll get there!
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This sounds great. As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m very interested in plants but would love to learn more.
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AMB, this will definitely help you along the way! Most of it isn’t practical, but who says plant knowledge always has to be practical? π
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I know what you mean about British gardening shows – I love watching them! I’ve recently gotten into gardening and am a nature lover so I’ll definitely have to check this book out – I’m also really fascinated by the concept of a whole book written on plants π
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Roselyn, aren’t they fun? American garden shows tend to be cable how-to shows about doing something specific, not about whole gardens or plants or garden history. Plus the Brits are so gosh darn enthusiastic about it all! Yay for getting into gardening! If you read the book I hope you enjoy it!
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