Saplings is the story of the Wiltshire family: Alex and Lena and their four children, Laurel, Tony, Kim and Tuesday, who are by all accounts a successful middle class family, well off and happy. That is, until the war began. With the bombing of London imminent, the Wiltshire children were evacuated to the country to stay with their grandparents. Alex was involved in special war work and had to stay in London. He wanted Lena to go to his parent's home with the children but she refused to leave him. ‘The children were darlings, but she was not a family woman, she was utterly wife, and, if it came to that, a mistress too, and she meant to go on being just those things.’ As the war progressed, the grandparents had to give up their large home to the military and move to a smaller place. There was a change of schools for the older ones and the children were farmed out to different relatives creating much unrest and misunderstanding. Lena had unshakeable poise and was pretty and narcissistic. ‘There was nothing she liked better than to be envied and admired.’ ‘For all her perfection you couldn’t help feeling that Lena was more blown together than built on a foundation.’ Bit by bit the family disintegrates and Lena loses her control over the life she had built for herself. She was unable to cope with the changes forced upon her by the war and with no inner resources to call upon, she was extremely needy and neglected her children. In Saplings, Streatfeild examines the effect of trauma and separation on children. Her ability to view the world from a child’s perspective is just superb. I was reminded in some ways of Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s book, The Homemaker. They are very different books (I think Fisher’s is the better written one) and Saplings is definitely a much darker story, but both authors display very astute insights into how children interpret their experiences of the world and the attitudes of those around them. It was interesting that while there were a number of kindly and warm-hearted people in the lives of the Wiltshire children, Streatfeild often concerned herself with the seemingly small comments, attitudes and decisions that can impact children who are already insecure. She uses the thoughts of these people to highlight their concerns about each of the children's inner struggles and does this very well. This is definitely an adult book, unlike many of her others which were written for children. It felt unfinished to me. I really wanted a more decisive closure but I think that was possibly Streatfeild’s way of showing the nature of trauma and its lingering effects. This book has been republished by Persephone Books. I love their covers! London Blitz, 1941 Linking to Back to the Classics Challenge 2020 for a Classic About a Family; Reading Classic Books: 3) Read a classic that takes place in a country other than where you live & to the Classics Club
Have tree saplings started to grow on your lawn? It must be worrying you. Read to know how to get rid of tree saplings on the lawn.
By Erin Marissa Russell If you’re ready to grow an apricot tree, either from an apricot pit or from an established sapling, and you need to know the steps you should take to plant and care for the tree, this is the guide for you. There are few things in life tastier than a fresh […]
Beloved Kollywood actor and comedian Vivek passed away in the early hours of Saturday. Shortly after the news broke out, sorrowful condolences poured in from al
What was once barren land is now a lush forest thanks to this man who planted 30 million saplings.
A heart-shaped meadow, created by a farmer as a tribute to his late wife, can be seen from the air near Wickwar, South Gloucestershire. The point of the heart points towards Wotton Hill, where his...
Known as the “Mother of all willow palaces” this living structure (palace really) was created in 1998 in Aeurstedt, Germany in the region between Weimar and Naumburg. Weaving live saplings together to form a domed cathedral space, architect Marcel Kalberer and his group Sanfte Strukturen are re-envisioning the way living building materials and techniques can […]
Yufka Bread Board made from recycled Mango Wood. Mango wood is a hardwood that is durable and water-resistant. Monthly polishing with oil to keep it hydrated is recommended and ensures a hard-wearing, long-lasting product. Any food safe oil can be used, and is best applied with a soft cloth. Repurposed Mango Wood is fr
The City of Lahti ran a participatory budgeting campaign in 2020, in which local residents were invited to submit and vote for ideas on how the city could be improved. One of the winning ideas was to establish a Cherry Park in Lahti. A total of 55 saplings were planted, of which 25 were donated by the Hokkaido Finland Society. The Lahti Poetry Marathon also contributed to the design of the park. The appeal of cherry trees stems from their majestic blooms in the spring and the stunning colours of their leaves in the autumn. The trees usually bloom towards the end of May, and the cherry blossom season lasts just under a week. The species chosen for Lahti’s Cherry Park are known for their beautiful, pink blooms: Sargent’s Cherry (Prunus sargentii), Accolade Cherry (Prunus ‘Accolade’) and an ornamental cultivar from Hokkaido (Prunus sargentii ‘Mustila’). The Cherry Park is located right next to Laune Arboretum and Family Park, to the west of the Family Park in the Asemantausta neighbourhood. The Cherry Park's corridors are barrier-free, and you can use them, e.g. in a wheelchair. The park is located in a slope park, so the sections outside the park corridors are uneven and in some places very strongly inclined.
December 2022 Charleston is seeing a new wave of citrus cultivation—satsumas, grapefruit, Meyer lemons, and more. Here’s a look at the boom-and-bust cycle of this once-popular colonial crop, today’s innovative farmers and researchers, plus growing tips and recipes Written By Margaret Loftus Photographs By Amanda Bouknight
