Though written half a century ago, "Merry Hall" captures that longing for the garden and a patch of land to call one's own. Nichols's wit and silly adventures add a bit of welcome hilarity to the all-too-serious literature of gardening.

First in a trilogy, Merry Hall is the account of the restoration of a house and garden in post-war England. Though Mr. Nichols's horticultural undertaking is serious, his writing is high-spirited, riotously funny, and, at times, deliciously malicious.

Awards for this book: New York Times Editor's Choice - Best Books for Gardening