Horse Island is a love project, nostalgically telling the story of a small 200-hectare island in south-eastern New South Wales, which Kennedy has revitalised and developed into a stunning property boasting native gardens, cottages and house, pavilion, al fresco dining areas to name but a few of the much-loved-by-family features of the island. Kennedy is an open book and earnestly describes the creative and physical process that shaped the property into its current form, providing inspiration and ideas aplenty to gardeners and fixer-uppers looking to create their own piece of paradise. The book includes a map of the island as well as an index of plants for easy reference, and is heavily documented photographically, including many luscious double-page spreads. The lovely, detailed writing however, is let down at times by the photography, which is haphazardly hit-or-miss, at times gorgeous and at others lacking finesse and flow. There is a feeling that the true beauty of the island was not adequately captured - though that may be a tough ask for such a beautiful location.

What a lovely book! I loved seeing the numerous photos showing the beauty of this stunning place. The included photographic glossary of plants is a wonderful addition for those who are simply curious and even more so for those in similar climates planning their own gardens.

Thank you to Zabriskie Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from NetGallery in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow....on a frigid, icy Iowa day, this is exactly the book I needed to preview. It took me to the southern shores of New South Wales and rekindled my love of the land and the flora there.

The Kennedy's have taken this historic piece of land and turned it into a gorgeous garden, abundant in native plants. The photography captured the beauty of the Kangaroo Paws,, the Australian Tree Ferns, the Gum trees, the Bottle Brush, and so much more.

My only regret is that this garden is not open to the public. When I am in Sydney, I always visit Wendy Whitely's Secret Garden. I would love to visit the Kennedy's garden, but it is private.

The book may only be 4.5 stars, but the author gets an extra .5 star for the labor of love.

Amazing photos of Horse Island and the beautiful gardens and landscape. I did not know that such a place existed. I would love to visit there for myself.

Beautiful and stunning pictures. Horse Island is a place most people dream of living or visiting to get away from work and everyday life. Very well written and you get a sense of family and togetherness. The pictures are breath taking. I loved the section on the different plants of the area. I wish I had something like that for my area because there are a lot of plants and animals I haven't seen anywhere else. The gardens are amazing and well kept. Horse Island is a great read and visually amazing. If I lived there I would never want to leave.

This was a good book. The photography was beautiful and the entire book was informative. Great gift for the horse/animal lover/traveler in your life. More pictures of other animals than horses, but that's okay because this book encompasses the entire environment.

Shortlisted for the Small Press Network's Most Underrated Book Award 2017. HORSE ISLAND captures Christina Kennedy’s magical indigenous garden in New South Wales, Australia. Not just a lush coffee book, it offers a rare ecological look at the evolution of a living work of beauty. 5 green thumbs up!

Thanks to NetGalley and Zabriskie Books for the digital copy, in exchange for my honest review.

#HorseIsland #NetGalley

Horse Island by Christina Kennedy is a pictorial work of the gardens and work life of one families private island. The photos are stunning and the gardens and grounds are kept immaculate! Great information provided about indigenous plants and about the family history.

I would happily review this book but I cannot find it on Amazon stores even Amazon.au nor on Goodreads.

To me Horses are at the top of the list of God's most beautiful creatures. This book actually has nothing to do with horses though. Horse Island is in fact a secluded and private piece of land on the Tuross Lake Estuary on the southern coast of New South Wales Australia. The book takes you through Christina Kennedy's Gardens on the island. The book is about 100 pages of stunning photos of beautiful gardens. There are close ups of some plants and the then long shots of the particular garden area.

Christina Kennedy's family has owned Horse Island for several generations. It is now hers. She also inherited her love and respect for gardening from her family. She has used only native plants in her gardens which give them so much more then just being beautiful. She has planted everything in a classical style and it is just stunning.

The photos in this book are a work of art. From the pictures of simple stone benches to fog in the mountains this book is a real treat for the eye and the mind. There is also a history of the building of the buildings and gardens on the island.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

Beautifully photographed and interesting story of one families pursuit of a large country garden. The photo plant id index is a fantastic idea and useful for those to replicate at home using natives.

This is a truly spectacular book, the photography is stunning and the beauty of the island can't help but come through. The gardens are just beautiful, I really loved the fact that most the plants that are familiar and grown in any Australian garden. It must be heaven working and living in such a beautiful environment. Both informative and visually beautiful

A beautiful collection of photographs from the island. A lot to love here.