Along Came a Gardener by Diana Stevan
Co-reviewed by Lori Green and Selena Mercuri
Lori Green:
Almost all of us view Spring as a beacon of hope, those subtle shades of green pushing through the half-frozen ground showing us the light through the long cold tunnel of winter. Human emotions have always been connected to nature, and in her book Along Came a Gardener, Diana Stevan explores this connection as an author and avid gardener, along with her years as a family therapist.
“All living things need attention. Gardeners know seedlings need nurturing to get started. Mature plants need to be tended to as well. Our plants demand that we care for them—or they wilt and die. Same with humans.”
While not condemning medication, Stevan’s book encourages us to explore the roots of our own psyche and foster better emotional foundations, much like adding nutrients to the soil before planting. A holistic approach to finding ways to nurture our self-care routines and work towards a thriving satisfaction in the world we have created for ourselves.
In this fast-paced society, Stevan shows us ways to slow down, take a mental break, and take some much-needed rest. We are encouraged to get out there this summer and get our hands dirty planting flowers or go foraging in the forest. We just might find ourselves along the way.
Selena Mercuri:
Along Came a Gardener serves as a reminder that personal growth is not linear. Like nature itself, there are seasons of progress and setbacks, of flourishing and dormancy. Stevan reassures readers that moments of stagnation are not failures but necessary pauses in the journey of self-improvement. By embracing the natural rhythms of change, we can cultivate resilience and continue striving toward our fullest potential. She encourages readers to honour their own cycles of growth and rest, to recognize that even in stillness, important transformations may be taking place beneath the surface.
Fundamentally, Along Came a Gardener is a celebration of the human capacity for renewal. It reminds us that even in times of struggle, we have the ability to cultivate beauty, resilience, and strength. Whether dealing with grief, anxiety, or the general uncertainties of life, readers will find comfort in Stevan’s words and inspiration in her message. She does not offer quick fixes or empty reassurances, but rather a path forward—one that requires effort, but also promises deep and lasting fulfillment. (To read Selena’s review in its entirety, please visit The British Columbia Review)
About the Author
Diana Stevan lives with her husband Robert in West Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. When she isn’t writing, she gardens, goes for walks in the forest, and reads. But most of all, she loves spending time with friends and family.
About the Reviewers
Lori Green has been writing dark fiction and poetry since she first picked up a pen. Her work is published in Blank Spaces Magazine, Off Topic Publishing, and many more. She studied English Literature at the University of Western Ontario and is currently working on her first novel.
Selena Mercuri is a Toronto-based writer, editor, and book reviewer. She is a publicist with River Street and a social media associate at The Rights Factory. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto, and studied Publishing at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Fiddlehead, The Literary Review of Canada, The Dalhousie Review, Room Magazine, Prairie Fire, The Ampersand Review, and elsewhere. Selena was the recipient of the 2023 Norma Epstein Award for Creative Writing and a finalist in the Hart House Poetry Contest. In the fall, she will begin the University of Guelph’s Creative Writing MFA program.
Book Details
Publisher : Island House Publishing
Publication date : Feb. 15 2025
Language : English
Print length : 275 pages
ISBN-10 : 1988180228
ISBN-13 : 978-1988180229