The Wonderful Garden


Read by Ruth Golding

(4.8 stars; 68 reviews)


Do you believe in magic? Caroline, Charles and Charlotte do, and nothing that happens during their summer holiday at their great uncle's house does anything to diminish that belief. There the Three C.'s find a wonderful garden and some very old books, resulting in escapades which do not necessarily please the grown-ups.

E. Nesbit, as usual, transports us back to the hazy summer days of a well-to-do Edwardian childhood, liberally spiced with magic, humour and lessons learned.

Published exactly 100 years ago, this is one of her least-known children's books, out of print for many years, and with no text available online at the time of recording. Yes, it's dated. Yes, it's politically incorrect. But it is delightful nonetheless. As Gore Vidal once wrote: "...though a reading of E. Nesbit is hardly going to change the pattern of a nation, there is some evidence that the child who reads her will never be quite the same again, and that is probably a good thing." (Introduction by Ruth Golding)

No online text is currently available. The reader read from her own copy of the 1911 1st edition.

(8 hr 39 min)

Chapters

01 - The Beginning 16:32 Read by Ruth Golding
02 - The Manor House 23:36 Read by Ruth Golding
03 - The Wonderful Garden 20:21 Read by Ruth Golding
04 - In Thessalonians 19:56 Read by Ruth Golding
05 - The Midnight Adventure 21:04 Read by Ruth Golding
06 - Hunted 18:23 Read by Ruth Golding
07 - Being Detectives 28:00 Read by Ruth Golding
08 - The Heroine 15:33 Read by Ruth Golding
09 - The Morning After 25:08 Read by Ruth Golding
10 - Brewing the Spell 28:44 Read by Ruth Golding
11 - The Rosicurians 19:11 Read by Ruth Golding
12 - The Other Book 23:07 Read by Ruth Golding
13 - The Rosy Cure 18:20 Read by Ruth Golding
14 - The Mineral Woman 26:27 Read by Ruth Golding
15 - Justice 21:28 Read by Ruth Golding
16 - The Appeal to Caesar 28:35 Read by Ruth Golding
17 - The Le-o-pard 22:47 Read by Ruth Golding
18 - The Leopard's-Bane 26:24 Read by Ruth Golding
19 - F. of H.D. 29:05 Read by Ruth Golding
20 - The Waxen Man 18:56 Read by Ruth Golding
21 - The Atonement of Rupert 19:22 Read by Ruth Golding
22 - The Portrait 21:43 Read by Ruth Golding
23 - The End 27:05 Read by Ruth Golding

Reviews

(5 stars)

Only the pure faith of a child could make magic things really happen. Ruth Golding brings out the sincerety of the Three C's and the subtle humor of the book.

lovely

(5 stars)

Really nice story perfectly read. If you enjoyed E. Nesbit’s would be goods and railway children you’ll love this too. Ruth gave an excellent reading as always.

(4 stars)

Great reading, had some interesting special effects. Wish she wouldn't try to change her voice so much for each character because it just ends up grating on the ears. Otherwise a great performance.

story was OK

(4 stars)

it was a bit trite after listening to Sickens the last 6 months but the reader does an amazing job!

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(5 stars)

wed wrote Rd 4 James Ave, Kingston beach. I'm charging hidden delivery fees. I hope you are travelling ok? xx Suns up! I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you both. I am not a problem with that,

Amazing

(5 stars)

I *loved* this book. :) Lots of magic (or is it?), compelling characters and an interesting plot. Ruth Golding's reading is absolutely stunning - I second everything TheBookworm said about it. She really brings the story and characters to life. Thanks so much, Ruth. :)

lovely story, exceptionally read

(5 stars)

the reader really does bring this book alive with many lovely recording touches and perfectly cast character voices . Bravo.

Wonderful Garden, wonderful story

(5 stars)

The reader, Ruth Golding, is fabulous. The consistency of her character voices is great, and her soft well modulated voice compliments the book's dreamy atmosphere. Ruth, the author would very happy indeed with your work. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)