Book description
Sweeping historical novel from Philippa Gregory the author of The Other
Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover. Set in the 1600s and seen through
the eyes of John Tradescant, gardener to the great men of the age.
A traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of
his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant's story is a mirror
to the extraordinary age in which he lives.
As gardener and confidante to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well
placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to
sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court,
Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring
the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit
and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even
larches from Russia.
Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham,
Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between
Parliament and the people; and the most loyal of servants must find a
way to become an independent squire. 'When it comes to writers of
historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league'
Daily Mail
'a hugely enjoyable and unexpectedly moving book'
Daily Telegraph
'vivid and enthralling… good gripping stuff'
SundayTimes Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of
historical novels. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from
the University of Edinburgh. Works that have been adapted for television
include A Respectable Trade, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool.
The Other Boleyn Girl is now a major film, starring Scarlett Johansson,
Natalie Portman and Eric Bana. Philippa Gregory lives in the North of
England with her family.
