The Garden

The Garden is the second part of a work I started in 1974 which was titled The Prison, and like The Prison, is a book and music designed to be experienced simultaneously. The basic idea is that as the two media converge one tends to charge the other with meaning. In The Garden I have used music without lyrics for the most part. This seems to help push the phenomenon along a bit by leaving the music simpler and more accessible.

The notion is to settle down in a comfortable spot, turn the stereo on at a moderate volume and read the book while the music plays, starting both at the same time. (Headphones are good but it is even better if you have a Surround system since the music was mixed in Dolby Surround.) You will find many connection points between the two media. As your use of the piece matures you will find these points changing, and after you have come to know the story better, you will be able to sculpt, in some degree, your own experience, pausing to ponder a passage or thought and letting the music play on to lift the thought higher, or perhaps skipping ahead in the story to read a section with a specific piece of music and enjoy the synchronized effect of a soundtrack. Of course, it is perfectly find to appreciate one medium all by itself.

The Garden is not a sequel in the strict sense of the word and there is no critical continuity of narrative you will need to know. However some familiarity with The Prison is helpful to fully understand the development of ideas which have their roots there.

The Garden is dedicated to my children: Christian, Jason, Jessica, and Jonathan.

Michael Nesmith
Santa Fe, New Mexico
December 1993