Try free for 30 days

  • The Well Gardened Mind

  • Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World
  • By: Sue Stuart-Smith
  • Narrated by: Sue Stuart-Smith
  • Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (50 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Well Gardened Mind cover art

The Well Gardened Mind

By: Sue Stuart-Smith
Narrated by: Sue Stuart-Smith
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.82

Buy Now for $25.82

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A Times and Sunday Times Best Book of 2020

How can gardening relieve stress and help us look after our mental health? What lies behind the restorative power of the natural world?

In a powerful combination of contemporary neuroscience, psychoanalysis and brilliant storytelling, The Well Gardened Mind investigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years – working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence.

With illuminating stories of how people struggling with stress, depression, trauma and addiction can change their lives, this inspiring and wise book of science, insight and anecdote – now translated into fifteen languages – shows how our understanding of nature and its restorative powers is only just beginning to flower.

©2020 Sue Stuart-Smith (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"The wisest book I’ve read for many years. Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to mental health. Hugely recommended." (Stephen Fry)  

"Fascinating....Extends the awareness – backed up by compendious and elegant research – of how mentally enriching it is to swap screen for green...[She] renders a very special service with this book." (Observer

"Stuart-Smith’s beautifully written book is filled with insights into the joys but also the therapeutic benefits that tending plants can offer, not just to people who feel they have lost their place in nature, but to everyone. This is a life-affirming study of the pleasures of growing things." (Guardian

What listeners say about The Well Gardened Mind

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    30
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A motivating and engaging read

I loved this book. While I am not a gardener - yet - the research in this about the benefits of garden and being in nature is wide ranging and fascinating. It has opened my eyes to the many opportunities we have for improving health care and mental health, as well as for being more present in the every day.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, mediocre performance

The narrator seemed to struggle to get into it at times, and she can sound quite monotonous, but this book is definitely worth reading if you're interested in gardening, urban ecology, urban biodiversity, and/or mental health viz one health.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a must read for 2020

loved this. it connected so many dots. it is well read, well researched and commanding.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

This book gave me so much insight into PTSD. It made so much sense and I devoured it whilst being in my garden! Thank you Carina

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Breathtaking

breathtakingly insightful, soft yet strong. moving and relevant.
thank you to the author for taking the time to write this book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The best book I've listened to this year!

Life changing... incredible piece of work. You will recommend this to everyone you know!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.