Mrs. Whaley’s Book Delightful

Fri., June 27, 1997

Martha Smith The Providence Journal-Bulletin

“Mrs. Whaley And Her Charleston Garden” by Emily Whaley in Conversation with William Baldwin (Algonquin Books, 233 pages, $16.95)

Mrs. Whaley is one of those delightful characters who, it happens, has expressed her forceful self in gardening. She has worked on the tiny garden behind her home for 46 years.

The rather daunting photo of Mrs. Whaley on the book’s jacket lends much credence to her belief that one should always enter the garden with clippers.

It is more than OK to try something different, she feels; it is necessary. She writes of the time she spends deciding what new thing to do.

This book is utterly delightful, the perfect thing for the end of the day when you’re done gardening. It is easy to see from Mrs. Whaley’s combination of wit, commonsense and advice why hers is said to be the most-visited private garden in America.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.