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Modern Nature: Journals, 1989 – 1990 (The Journals of Derek Jarman, 1)

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Read this meditative and inspiring diary of Derek Jarman's famous garden at Dungeness, which is also a powerful account of his life as an HIV positive man in the 1980s.

In 1986 Derek Jarman discovered he was HIV positive and decided to make a garden at his cottage on the barren coast of Dungeness.

Facing an uncertain future, he nevertheless found solace in nature, growing all manner of plants. While some perished beneath wind and sea-spray others flourished, creating brilliant, unexpected beauty in the wilderness.

Modern Nature is both a diary of the garden and a meditation by Jarman on his own life: his childhood, his time as a young gay man in the 1960s, his renowned career as an artist, writer and film-maker. It is at once a lament for a lost generation, an unabashed celebration of gay sexuality, and a devotion to all that is living.

'An essential - urgent - book for the 21st Century' Hans Ulrich Obrist

This new edition features an introduction from Olivia Laing, the author of Crudo

Review

The most beautiful & furious book of all time -- Olivia Laing

An essential – urgent – book for the 21st Century -- Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of the Serpentine Gallery

A marvellous, moving book

― Sunday Telegraph

Jarman gave his garden a certain narrative; perhaps he treated it a bit like a film or theatre set. His films were visionary, eccentric, romantic and rebellious, all of which could also be said about his garden ― Guardian

It's hard not to warm to the man who, in the face of all the personal and professional hardships described in this book, can still regard himself as 'the most fortunate film-maker of my generation ― Guardian

From the Back Cover

In 1986 Derek Jarman discovered he was HIV positive and decided to make a garden at his cottage on the barren coast of Dungeness. Facing an uncertain future, he nevertheless found solace in nature, growing all manner of plants. While some perished beneath wind and sea-spray others flourished, creating brilliant, unexpected beauty in the wilderness. Modern Nature is both a diary of the garden and a meditation by Jarman on his own life: his childhood, his time as a young gay man in the 1960s, his renowned career as an artist, writer and film-maker. It is at once a lament for a lost generation, an unabashed celebration of gay sexuality, and a devotion to all that is living.

Review:

4.7 out of 5

93.33% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, inspirational - and deeply human...

J.D. · 25 July 2017

At one point in the journals covered by Modern Nature, Derek Jarman bemoans the fact that writing seemingly did not come easy to him. If readability is a sign of a great writer, Jarman was very far out in his assessment of his own talents. I couldn't wait to pick up his journals again after breaks in reading and to re-connect with a personality whose must be one of the most engaging I've ever encountered within the pages of a book. Derek Jarman's voice resonated still in my head during such breaks and after I'd finished the book. I've just started on the second volume of the journals, 'Smiling In Slow Motion'.As one might expect from a film-maker, these writings are vividly descriptive, whether Jarman is speaking of the vicissitudes of growing things on a bed of shingle in the shadow of a nuclear power station or of his encounters on Hampstead Heath. The garden at Dungeness is central to Modern Nature; it has the constant presence of a guardian angel, a place of safety to which Jarman returns gratefully, a place which centres him and which is at the centre of his being, a link with his past and a way of living in the present. The garden appears to be metaphor too; life with AIDS is undoubtedly more difficult than life before it but the pared back garden, the resilience of its plants, the curious statuary of rusted metal and stones from the sea, have a beauty and integrity synonomous with the author as revealed so intimately to us in these journals. Against all odds, the garden does not merely cling on, it triumphs - and so does Jarman.This is not an easy read. As the book progressed, I felt increasingly understanding of Derek Jarman the man. Injustices which rankle with him rankled me too - the fact that 'special measures' applied when a film of his was screened on television later than other films in a series by other film-makers, the fact that Ian Charleson was apparently encouraged to cite Chariots of Fire not Jarman's Jubilee as his debut role given the then frenzied prejudice around AIDS and homosexuality. There is too the huge injustice of Jarman's own illness, the deaths of his friends cut down like flowers; he is honest and matter of fact in the face of such devastation - as you'd expect, no mawkish sentimentality here, yet the depth of his feeling is unquestionable.Another constant theme in these journals is love. Jarman shows us a country where, although the flesh is weakened, the spirit simply burns more brightly. Writings about HB are filled with love and it is clear the feeling is mutual. HB helps Jarman both practically and spiritually and the depiction of their relationship is one of the most moving aspects in a book which is continually affecting.The world we now inhabit is rather a different place from the one Derek Jarman moved in. What would he have made of it all? Yet his garden still endures. For some of us, it will remain a garden of the imagination; it makes us think of other gardens as diverse as Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, of Eden, of lost gardens, of our own garden, of home. Gardens are a collaboration between God and man and they are constantly on the brink of a return to wilderness.As the journals describe, the artist Maggi Hambling, in suggesting that Derek had discovered with his garden not nature but 'modern nature', prompted the naming of this volume of journals. For some, Derek's garden will become not merely a garden of the imagination but a place of pilgrimage. The garden at Dungeness keeps on keeping on, as physical as ever the man was, pointing the way to eternity in a world in which constantly the screen appears to be flickering and changing, in which the notion of eternity is increasingly a rare, almost outmoded concept.Modern Nature reveals a thoughtful, sensitive, humorous and courageous man, full of integrity - yet full of humanity also. Quite simply, one of the best books I've ever read and so far without doubt the best journals.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!

B. · 16 June 2018

I have the kindle version and almost finished it. It's surprised me how much I've enjoyed this book and I knew very little about Jarman before apart from the fact he lived at Dungeness and was an artist. I discovered Jarman was a terrific writer and his descriptions of landscape are absolutely superb - beautifully written and atmospheric to the point I've been Rightmoving Dungeness and putting it on my 'maybe in the next life' list (not that I actually believe in a next life!). It made me want to buy a book about wild flowers and I imagine even if you're a seasoned gardener you'll get a lot out of this book from a plant point of view. I enjoyed the diary format and the snippets of his life he shared. Some of the descriptions of his exploits may be a little graphic but the book as a whole gives a marvellous overview of Jarman who died far too young but contributed a great deal to art, film, conservation and more.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparks Through the Stubble

N.n. · 6 June 2023

One of the most beautiful books you will ever read. Take it gently - read like an alchemist's almanac.

5.0 out of 5 stars Derek's "World of Wonder"

J.E.I. · 13 June 2014

This is the second of Jarman's books that I've read, following "Chroma", which I adored. "Modern Nature" covers the years of '89 and '90, finishing with Jarman facing debilitating health challenges. As with the other events encountered in his life, he continued to be curious, attentive, selfless and, unsurprisingly, his sense of humour remained 100% intact!It was such a "readable" account, and I couldn't wait to pick it up again and continue to immerse myself in Derek's world. At times, I found myself laughing out loud, at others, on the verge of tears. This is not only a book about Jarman, but a treasury of information about plants, art, literature.I wonder what he would've made of our world, 20 years on (he died in '94).....he is sorely missed, if only there were more like him.I can't recommend this enough, do yourself a favour and enter this world of wonder.

Inspiring read

b. · 24 January 2022

Just started reading this book, but so far it’s engrossing and inspiring.

Poignant

P. · 13 October 2021

Beautifully written, poetic, poignant and remarkable glimpse into an artist on so many levels; an artist whose creative self overflowed into the world around him and included a circle of friends and partners who he included intimately in his films, and life and death. He made a garden out of pebbles on the edge of the shore. Lovely.

Great book

J. · 10 October 2024

Such a pity that Derek Jarman didn't leave more of his excellent writing. Very moving

Not as good as I expected

F. · 3 July 2023

I thought I'd enjoy this more than I did.

Muy bien

G.g. · 30 December 2018

El libro esta perfecto y llego rápido

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Modern Nature: Journals, 1989 – 1990 (The Journals of Derek Jarman, 1)

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