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    The Garden of Small Beginnings
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    The Garden of Small Beginnings
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    The Garden of Small Beginnings
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Garden of Small Beginnings

    Written by Abbi Waxman

    Narrated by Emily Rankin

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    In the spirit of A Man Called Ove and Good Grief-a poignant, funny, and utterly believable novel about life and loss.
     
    Give grief a chance . . .
     
    Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years-ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she's just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she's becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
     
    At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks-like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there's that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can't be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
     
    After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she'll soon discover-with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners-is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not…

    READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMay 2, 2017
    ISBN9781524779344
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for The Garden of Small Beginnings

    4/5

    177 ratings30 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this book. I thought the smallest child was hilarious. This was a pretty light and fluffy book that didn't really seem to go anywhere. It was a distraction but didn't pull me in so that I lost time while reading and I quickly forgot about the characters once I was done. But on a cold snowy day, sitting by the fireplace curled up with my dog, it's a good read for that type of setting if you want to be entertained for a few hours.
    • 3/5
      Lilian suffered a mental breakdown after her husband’s death in a car accident. She still is seeing a therapist, still has nightmares, and yet must go on, earning a living and raising her two daughters. Now she finds herself in a gardening class, a compulsory condition of her job, and then she and her coworkers are laid off due to job out-sourcing. Lilian has a lot of stress in her life, but she also has a support system consisting of her sister and an old friend, and in her gardening class, she is destined to make new friends. The characters in this book are quite likable, and fairly well developed. The book is a quick read, is quite entertaining, and even offers gardening tips. Humor is sprinkled in on top of the sadness, which offers hope and really makes the whole story fun to read.
    • 5/5
      Abbi has 3 dogs and 3 cats so right from the start I knew she was my kind of people. Her note to her readers had me cracking up so her book had to be great right? And it was! I fell in love with the characters, especially Annabel and Clare. I'm definitely looking forward to her next read!
    • 4/5
      Lilian Girvan is a thirty-four year old widow and mother of two daughters, Annabel, seven, and Clare, five. Since Lilian's husband, Dan, died almost four earlier, she has rejected the possibility of romance. Her younger sister, Rachel, on the other hand, has had a long string of casual boyfriends. Although they have their differences, the siblings are united in their resentment of their narcissistic mother, an aging former model who drinks too much and hurts them with her cutting remarks. Lilian, who works as a textbook illustrator, is assigned to do the artwork for a book about vegetables. As part of the deal, she agrees to take a gardening class from a master horticulturalist, Dr. Edward Bloem.

      "The Garden of Small Beginnings," by Abbi Waxman, is a pleasant but formulaic tale in which gardening is a metaphor for life and growth. If you want your strawberries, green beans, and tomatoes to thrive, you must prepare the soil, place the seeds properly, provide nourishment, keep pests away, water judiciously, and insure that the plants get the right amount of sunlight. Lilian has been stagnating emotionally. She adores her kids and and enjoys her job, but her late husband is still very much on her mind. Edward, who seems interested in her, is good-looking, easygoing, generous, and empathetic. Will Lili put her grief aside and allow herself to fall in love again?

      Waxman peppers her narrative with wit and humor, a bit of profanity, and a hint of sexuality, but she does not imbue her characters with much shading. Edward is too perfect to be believed; Lilian's kids are ridiculously precocious; and Rachel and Lilian's mother is overbearing and tactless. On the plus side, Lilian is a smart and sassy heroine, and the author gives her secondary characters varied and colorful back stories: there is a nerd from MIT, a single mom from a poor neighborhood, a pair of gay women who have been together for decades, and a retired banker, all of whom are members of Lilian's gardening class. These diverse individuals become a cohesive group, form lasting friendships, and enjoy the fruits of their manual labor. In "The Garden of Small Beginnings," Waxman tackles big themes, such as the difficulty of adjusting to unforeseen changes and the fear of taking risks after suffering a grievous loss. This is an earnest and often amusing novel that should appeal to fans of light domestic fiction.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book! I laughed a lot and cried a little.
    • 4/5
      Really enjoyed this for characters, story, gardening interludes.
    • 5/5
      This was so easy to read---very appealing characters, at least to me. I did wonder about the gardening information---is the author a gardener? However, everything was delightfully presented with additional comments to make the reader roll his/her eyes with enjoyment reading them.
    • 4/5
      I won this debut novel by Abbi Waxman from GoodReads. Thank you! It is a gem.After losing her husband tragically 4 years ago and suffering a breakdown as a result, Lillian (Lily) is finally starting to take back her life as mother (of two girls) and sister (who took care of those little girls while Lily was recovering). Her love of drawing had lead her to a job of book illustrator. As an assignment, her boss wants her to take a class on gardening to 'prepare' her for the next book. In this class is group of people who come together around a gardening project and end up helping each other, forming unique friendships along the way.The story deals with some heavy topics, but written with grace and humor that had me laughing out loud even in the midst of sadness. It is charming and insightful, touching on many emotions along this incredible journey. And some good hints about gardening along the way.I highly recommend it!
    • 4/5
      Lili is a widow, young mother, and text book illustrator, who is still consumed by grief about her husband's death four years earlier in a car accident. Because of her job, she enrolls in a gardening class, along with her two young daughters and her sister Rachel. Taking the course becomes transformative, not only for Lili and her family, but also for the other students as well. The first person voice of Lili is both hilarious and poignant, and we come to care a good deal about the characters in this fast-paced novel. It's a toss-up whether the laugh-out-loud funny moments will be more memorable or the endearing emotional scenes. I have to confess to skipping over the gardening hints at the end of each chapter, but they certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book.
    • 4/5
      The main character, Lilian, has recently lost her husband to a tragic accident and her sister and others are encouraging her to get out and circulate a bit. She joins a gardening class with her sister and they meet on a regular basis. There are a wide variety of relationships that develop among the members of the group, some of which are romantic. Between the chapters are gardening tips about the best ways to grow different vegetables. This is a pretty frivolous puff piece that is entertaining.
    • 4/5
      Lilian Girvan is thirty-nine and has been widowed for four years with two young girls. She has a strong bond with her unmarried sister Rachel who provided care and support for her children while she was recovering from a breakdown. Her life starts trending in a positive direction and she continues her career as an illustrator. Lilian struggles with romance while focusing on providing a stable home for her children. She has not been open to dating because of her grief over losing her deceased husband. Lilian gets assigned to illustrate a series of books about gardening vegetables. Knowing little about the topic, she agrees to attend a six week gardening class where she can also bring her children. The garden and her life slowly begin to grow as she forms new relationships while also seeking out new job opportunities. The setting for this story should be sad but Lilian is very likeable and her thoughts are funny. I really enjoyed the clashing personalities of Lilian and Rachel and their love for each other. These contrasts make for a very entertaining debut novel by Abbi Waxman.
    • 3/5
      Lilian is a widow with two young daughters. She has an alcoholic mother, a bossy sister, and a decent job as an illustrator. Through a gardening class she takes because of her job, she meets an assortment of interesting people and there is some bonding among the group which stretched my ability to suspend disbelief. Still, there was enough substance and sarcastic dialog to keep me reading. There is a snarky comment about Meg Ryan, but, really, this is her kind of role. A pleasant, light read.Free advance review copy from publisher
    • 5/5
      This is a book about a widow whose husband practically dies right in front of her and their house they shared with their two small children. And it is rip roaringly hilarious and I LOVED it. Yes, this woman (Lilian) has a very hard time coping, I mean who wouldn't? Luckily, she has a sister who's idea of dating and the men she chooses helps Lilian a lot. She also provides a lot of the humor in this book. Lilian's workplace provides another spot of humor, okay a lot also, in this book. Okay, yeah, the whale genitalia jokes do go a little overboard. But, they don't last long. Then, Lilian's boss tells her that she's going to attend gardening classes. That's when more fun and a lot of quirky character get added to the mix in the book. That's also when I really started getting attached, really attached to the book and the characters. The author presents the characters as a type, but when you really get to know these characters, they become something a whole lot different.This was a wonderful read, certainly entertaining and very enjoyable. The cover drew me at first and upon reading the description, I hit the request button. I am glad that I did.Thanks to Berkley Publishing for approving that request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely adored this book! I never expected to laugh out a loud while reading a book about a young widow with 2 young daughters who take a gardening class. Lili, Rachel, Annabel and Clare are hilarious and very real characters. I love a book that can make me laugh and cry and this one did both. The gardening tips that preceded each chapter were great - they were funny and I actually learned about some things about gardening. The supporting characters were all interesting and well developed as well - you believed all these people liked and needed each other. I highly recommend this book - it isn't typical 'chick lit'- it would make a great book club selection. Thanks to First to Read for the ARC!
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read, sweet story about moving forward with life after loss. Abbi Waxman creates three dimensional very lovable characters.
    • 4/5
      Charming, feel-good read -- perfect for vacation or escape. Clever writing and though plot has potential to be "trite" it never feels that way. Lili is a single mom of two young girls, Clare (5) and Annabel (7). Her husband was tragically killed 4 years prior to the story's action in a dramatic, traumatic way right before her eyes. She has worked hard to get herself to a place of stability, even if it means turning off her emotions and relying on routine. With the help of her single sister Rachel, they keep the girls stable as well. All of this "normalcy" gets stirred up when Lili's illustrator job puts her on the assignment of a gardening book, for which she must take a gardening class. Enter Edward Bloem, a handsome gardening executive and teacher of the course. The girls love him immediately and Rachel propels Lili toward getting involved with him, but Lili digs in her heels, feeling completely "not ready." This is the potentially trite part. Edward is a patient man and they have 6 gardening classes together for Lili's resolve to weaken. Also the class is a cast of characters who all become friends and also offer each other support. Many are rooting for Lili and Edward to get together. It's a very sweet story, but has a biting edge of humor and sarcastic reality -- it doesn't take itself too seriously. The sister relationship is great, and the family dynamic rings true as does the complex range of emotions besieging Lili as her life transitions. The gardening images are apt -- promoting new life -- and the illustrations and "text book" interspersed throughout are a clever addition. The epigraph at the beginning is "There can a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." by Anais Nin and just about sums it up.
    • 5/5
      It took me a while to read this book. Ms. Waxman can be very funny, but also writes about very serious subjects and I had to be in the mood to pick this up. She's a terrific writer, and this book is no exception. Lilian has two small girls and has been a widow for three years after seeing her husband killed in a car accident as he left for work one morning. She fell apart completely at first but has now adjusted as much as one can. In fact, she's starting to think there must be more to life, at least her life.It's a wonderful story as Lilian deals with the changes all around her. Sometimes, small children tend to be over-precocious in books and movies, but Ms. Waxman does an excellent job with Lilian's small girls who are also pretty funny. The story is very character-driven, revolving around Lilian and her family and friends. I pretty much recommend any book by Ms. Waxman, and this one is a great place to start.
    • 4/5
      Lillian has been grieving her husband's sudden death for several years, but when she has to attend a gardening class for work, she can't deny that she finds the instructor attractive. But is she ready to move forward?I really enjoyed this book. For one thing, it's spring, and I am in the mood for gardening and reading about gardens. For another, it's a lovely story, full of humor and female friendships as well as romance (it's actually pretty light on the romance). If these elements sound appealing to you, give it a try!
    • 4/5
      I chose "The Garden of Small Beginnings" by Abbi Waxman. Lilian Girvan struggled with the grief of her husband's death for four years before her job as an illustrator pushed her into taking the first step on the journey to healing.The story was well written with clearly developed characters. This one's for those who love the 'happy ever after' ending.
    • 4/5
      Ok, the second half of the book, while still hilarious became too predictable for me to rate this any higher than 4 stars, but it was still a very good story, with a writing style that is totally in my wheelhouse, with banter between the sisters that I found hilarious, and just an overall humorous voice to the narrative.That’s not to say, however, that the story is pure fluff. On the contrary the MC is deeply grieving her husband’s not-really-recent death and her healing process is pretty raw and painful to read about. The predictability comes into play when she’s faced with someone she finds attractive, and the manipulative ability of her kids (although, as fictional kids go, these two were really likeable – especially the youngest) to mess with her recovery. A few scenes were uneven, but for the most part this was just a thoroughly fun read, with a beginners gardening class providing a focus for the story that added to my enjoyment.I’m definitely going to check out what else, if anything, Abbi Waxman has written.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable book.
    • 5/5
      relaxingjust go with it
    • 3/5
      I liked Lili I just thought the book dragged a bit. A pleasant diversion but nothing special
    • 4/5
      The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman is a 2017 Berkley publication. I admit I started reading this book with a certain mindset. I was thinking contemporary fiction, maybe some romance, maybe not, with 'mature' adult characters, and I was right about that much, but whatever else I might have been thinking, was totally blown out of the water after reading the first chapter. The story deals with some heavy topics, but it was absolutely hysterical. I laughed all the way through it, but it was also a moving and bittersweet journey. Lilian Girvan is going through the motions of living. She has a good job as a textbook illustrator, but it’s not all that challenging or fulfilling. She’s the mother to two little girls, sister of Rachel, a free spirited woman who would do anything for her, ... and a widow. When Lilian’s husband, Dan, is killed in a car accident, Lilian nearly died from a broken heart. She spent a little in -patient time in a mental hospital, and might have entertained a few suicidal thoughts, but now, she’s able to simply exist again, not actually living life to its full potential, but getting through one day to the next, nursing her grief, unable or unwilling to let go of it. But, the thing is, Dan has been gone for three years, and those who love Lilian would really like to see her start moving forward with her life instead of walking in place. As fate would have it, Lilian’s boss signs her up for a gardening class to appease a new client, and out of this random and seemingly benign event, Lilian finds her entire world opening up to new possibilities, as she forges an unexpected relationship with other members of the class, not only learning to cultivate vegetables, but also new friendships, stronger familial ties, and maybe even the strength and desire to begin dating again.This novel explores various themes, such as the relationship between sisters, first impressions, unexpected experiences that can steer us in a new direction, and the simple act of enjoying a new hobby, such as gardening, which may initially seem challenging, but turns out to be quite therapeutic and fun. Humor is a tool some people hide behind when under duress, or as a coping mechanism. Both Lilian and Rachel were able to lean on this ability to get them through some tough times, but it also helped them communicate with each other without one taking offense and kept the tone light, despite the palpable pain Lilian was suffering. It was a fascinating dance between the sisters who stayed close despite their differences. Their relationship appears to parallel the relationship between Lilian’s own daughters in a way, with one being very sensitive and the other showing an unflappable approach to life. The students taking the gardening class, and the teacher, all have a role, and each one shares thier unique background, which adds depth and character to the story, fleshing it out, and bringing much needed variety and color to Lilian’s life. For those looking for romance, this book does have a few promises and hints of budding relationships, but this really isn't a romance novel, in my opinion. It is more about Lilian’s long journey out of the dark grip of grief, her healing and eventual personal growth. Lilian learns to face her fears so that she can be a better parent, sister, and friend. She must first learn to care for herself, so that she can fully take charge of her life again. The author did an amazing job of capturing Lilian’s melancholy and vulnerabilities, while also accentuating her humor and wit. She was a delightful character, and I instantly warmed up to her, and knew I was going to enjoy getting to know her. When Lilian is finally able to think of others, to draw her attention away from her inner struggles, she is able to reenter life and truly become productive again. Lilian steps out of her perpetual gloom, into the light, kicking and screaming, fighting it every step of the way, but once she finally steps into the sun, the welcoming brightness sent rays of hope to warm her fragile heart and weary soul.The gardening tips at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch, and as a gardener, I found many of the suggestions useful, as well as charmingly funny. Overall, this is just the type of all around inspirational feel good story I need sometimes. There is no absolute- 'and they all lived happily ever after'- conclusion, exactly, which, under normal circumstances would really tick me off, but in this case, I didn't mind so much.I don't think it's too hard to determine how things will probably turn out for Lilian and her sister, as well as for the supporting cast, and since the book ends on such an optimistic note, I'm going to go with my own version of events, which is: ' and they all lived happily ever after.'Lilian’s reluctant pilgrimage sucked me into another life, took my mind off my own troubles, while I cheered her from the sidelines, watching while she blossomed back to life, while touching my own life. 4 stars
    • 4/5
      I’m not usually a fan of Chick Lit; I requested this book because of the hook of it centering on a gardening class and the people in it. The narrator, Lilian Girvan, is a young widow with two daughters. Her husband died, right in front of their house, almost four years ago. She had a breakdown and was hospitalized for a couple of months when that happened; she is still grieving, although coming out of it. Her life centers on work (she’s an illustrator for a textbook publisher), her daughters, and her sister, Rachel. There’s not anything she does just for herself. When her employer gets a contract for a book about vegetable gardening, they have an unusual request from the authors of the book: that the illustrator take the gardening class one of their number will be putting on at the L.A. Botanical Gardens. This brings her in contact with the rest of the cast of characters: the instructor, and the other students. The class meets on Saturday mornings for six weeks. Over this span of time relationships form and change. These people meet not just at the vegetable garden, but in each other’s yards, too. Lil’s daughters and Rachel are also involved. It’s interesting, but the characters are a little too perfect to really feel involved with. In fact, it wouldn’t have really held my interest except for one thing: the narrator is hilarious. So is much of the dialog. It’s snarky but not mean. The author is very good at describing the little details of everyday life in a way that I found myself going “Oh, yes, I know that well!” A light, funny, mostly upbeat read.
    • 4/5
      2020 was the year of Abbi Waxman for me – I read three out of her four books! She was new to me and now she’s made the list of my favorite authors. The Garden of Small Beginnings is her debut novel.Lilian Girvan is a single mother to two young girls. Her husband was killed three years ago in a car accident. She works as a textbook illustrator and when she’s chosen to illustrate a series of gardening books, her boss signs her up for gardening classes. She takes her daughters and sister with her to the first one. The other students in the class are a diverse bunch of characters. They all become close as the classes go on and end up helping each other with more than just gardening.Even though Lilian’s husband died a tragic death and she is still grieving, this book was not a gloomy, depressing book. There is humor and lightness – especially among everyone in the gardening class. I liked that Lilian’s journey of working through her grief was realistic and not glossed over. She even spent some time in a psychiatric treatment facility right after her husband’s accident. Her sister had to take care of her children, which is something Lilian still feels guilty about.I appreciate books that are about the power of community and The Garden of Small Beginnings is one of those books. I enjoyed all of the characters and getting to know them as they get to know each other. I really enjoyed this book and Waxman’s subsequent books just get better and better! Recommended.
    • 4/5
      The Garden of Small Beginnings is perfect Spring and early Summer garden reading.Solid and fun garden advice weaves between chapters.The plot improved once Lili stopped taking a chance on everyone's life while talking on her tucked in cellphone while driving.It would also have been very welcome to all of us pet lovers if she had immediately taken her dog to the vet to get rid of painful wormsrather than waiting until the end of the book to still be thinking about the poor animal. As well, Rachel's skin problem was a juvenile interjection.All that aside, the Gardening class made for fun and relaxing reading, more than balancing the endless interludes of not distancing from repeat grief events. This interfered with her tumbling love affair with Edward, who may have extended too much patience for his own sanity.Also, whether he was planning to stay with his company or to return to Amsterdam was never clear and could have influenced Lili's ambivalence.For future editions, it would be welcome to include Lillian's drawings! At least the one of The Garden with The Bench!
    • 5/5
      This is such a lovely book. Lili lost her husband in a car accident very close to home and also very nearly lost her mind in her grief. But motherhood and work as an illustrator and a very good therapist helped her through the worst of it. Her sister Rachel was also incredibly THERE for her every day, helping with the children. I loved the repartee between the sisters! I laughed and cried with them. This book is about learning to accept that your grief will always be there but there is healing and life will go on along a new path.
    • 5/5
      The Garden of Small Beginnings is one of my favorite books so far this year. Lili finds herself a widow in a life rut four years after the trauma occurs when suddenly change is thrown at her from every direction. A work required gardening class begins gently shifting her perspective and altering her path from surviving to thriving. Waxman crafts wonderfully complex characters on an unexpected journey. The realistic kid characters are some of my favorites, because they’re just so authentic- from cute to lethal in half a second! Lili’s mothering struggles are realistically portrayed, which is incredibly refreshing. Additional prior family drama adds to the pressure. This cast of likeable characters made the book impossible to put down, and is one of the reasons I’m sad it’s over. The other reason is the witty and quirky voice of the protagonist narrator. She is incredibly funny, insightful, irreverent and genuine. She’s one of the most realistic characters I’ve read, and I can see myself re-reading this gem.
    • 4/5
      You would think that a novel about a woman recently widowed by her much-too-young husband's horrific accident and her sudden entrance into the world of single motherhood would be too sad to read. I may have put this one aside except for the vivid colors on the cover drawing me in. This book couldn't be too depressing with a cover like that, so I gave it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised by the light humor the author gave to the story, convincing the reader that even in our darkest moments we can find something to laugh about.Lillian is a book illustrator, a single mom to two delightful daughters, a sister, and a daughter to a painfully critical mother. She is just beginning to get the hang of living life without her husband with the help of her sister who spends many evenings enjoying Lilian's cooking and playing with her nieces. Lilian's employer offers her the opportunity to illustrate a vegetable encyclopedia and decides it would be good for her to take a gardening class to get up-close and personal with the vegetables she will be drawing. Lilian, her sister, and the two girls all attend the weekend classes and find joy in new friendships, delicious food, and maybe a new future full of surprises.Lilian's sense of humor is light and laughable. Her descriptions of drawing whale penises or her snarky thoughts about the hunky garden instructors will keep the reader laughing and wanting more. Waxman created funny and likable characters (even the overbearing mother) and you want each of them to find their way in the story. Waxman will have you laughing in one chapter and thinking deeply in the next with bits of wisdom mixed with emotion. Yes there is a bit of romance to this story, but it is handled maturely and not overdone with details that will cause you to cringe or skip paragraphs. Lilian shares true feelings as her heart begins to reopen and her fear and trepidation about the future is real. This quote from Anais Nin fit so perfectly with Lilian and her feelings, "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful that the risk it took to blossom." Lilian has to decide if the risk is worth taking to feel joy once again.Another fun feature that I enjoyed in the book was that each chapter started with a vegetable. There would be an illustration, much like what I expect Lilian would draw, and an explanation on how to grow that particular vegetable in your garden. Of course, each description has a bit of humor included like not planting strawberries where you have recently planted tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant "because it freaks them out" or radishes need lots of sun and if they don't get it, you'll have to go out and buy them and "lie about your horticultural prowess".The book comes with discussion questions at the end and would make for an enjoyable book club choice. Its lightheartedness is refreshing to read even amidst the grief that permeates their lives.