The Last Garden in England

“At least Highbury House would be different in that regard—a respite from all the contemporary design projects she took on to keep the business afloat. A historic garden of some importance that had lain virtually abandoned for years, the Wilcoxes wanted to see it bloom again just as it had when it had been created in 1907.”

Emma would rather work on the restoration of the garden rooms at Highbury House than create new and contemporary gardens, emphasizing the theme of Preserving Family History. Her interest is in the preservation of history rather than the setting of new trends. Like the other women in the novel who enjoy the garden, Emma sees the space as a sanctuary or “respite” from external concerns.

“Each new garden is like an unread book, its pages brimming with possibility.”

Venetia uses an apt metaphor here to describe her artistic process, reflecting the perspective of the reader. This creates an intimacy between the character—in particular, Venetia, whose story is the only one told in the first person—and the reader. Venetia approaches the gardens as the readers approach the book, as an unread story waiting to be discovered.

“Murray’s grandfather, Arthur Melcourt, had brought in a woman named Venetia Smith to do the design. Even decades later, the effect was breathtaking any month of the year, and Diana was determined to be an excellent caretaker of the grounds. However, after four years at war, she was beginning to admit that bare competence was more realistic.”

Diana inherited the gardens along with the house after her husband’s death. The beauty of her gardens is remarkable in 1944, but the pressures of war disrupt her entire world, which is represented in the garden. Its tranquility proves crucial to its survival: While practicality demands the space be used for food cultivation, the calming