The Garden Against Time

In this thoughtful and beautifully written book, Olivia Laing explores the rich history and significance of gardens, drawing from her own experience restoring an overgrown Suffolk walled garden in 2020. Blending real and imagined landscapes—from literary visions of paradise to political and social histories—she examines gardens as spaces of both sanctuary and rebellion. Through these reflections, Laing reveals how gardens serve as sites of encounter, community, and possibility amid climate challenges, offering insights into their enduring cultural and personal importance.