Reviews

At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier

rosalyn007's review against another edition

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5.0

Just finished this book and am rushing to detail my thoughts here, which is to say that run, don't walk, to read this one! This is a love letter to the 1850s American West, one man's journey not only through the untamed wilderness stretching from one coast to the other, but also a search for self, for purpose, a reconciliation of his past, a break from generational legacy, and forging of his own future. All the while we're treated to Chevalier's beautifully descriptive yet straightforward prose, fitting for the time and sentiment of the settlers of that time, pragmatic and unadorned but having no less complex and nuanced inner thoughts. I also liked how the author showed the subtle ways in which men and women differ in living, reacting, and enduring the unyielding and unforgiving harshness of settler life and showing the resiliency of man. 5/5 would reread this one.

annecarts's review against another edition

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2.0

I found this hard going. Almost all of the characters are highly unlikeable and the plot was very slow until the last 3rd of the book. A bit too depressing as a lockdown read at the moment!

xlindsreadsx's review against another edition

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4.0

I knew nothing going into this book as I have neve read this author before. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Few trigger warnings for domestic abuse and death and alcoholism so if I struggle with that u may not want to pick this book up but I loved the twist and turn. Defo a new instant buy author x

susanp's review against another edition

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2.0

Disappointing. Very strange.

tarahoc's review against another edition

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4.0

I find myself missing the characters

I enjoyed this book. It was a slow start but once I read further it was engaging and interesting. I recommend reading this if you like historical based on true events books.

_lilbey_'s review against another edition

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3.0

I think part of my issue is I have accidentally read a bunch of books with really objectionable characters all in a row and this book was perhaps my breaking point. I knew it was unlikely to be a cheery book, but Sadie was vile and James was sad and it was just rough. I liked Robert and the people in California, but still... rough.

melohpa's review against another edition

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3.0

See my full review at
https://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-edge-of-orchard-by-tracy-chevalier.html

readacorn's review against another edition

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5.0

Beschreibung 
Ohio 1838: Familie Goodenough träumt von einer eigenen Apfelplantage und von einem besseren Leben. Doch alle Versuche, das Sumpfland fruchtbar zu machen, enden kläglich. Da hört der jüngste Sohn Robert wundersame Geschichten von Bäumen im fernen Kalifornien, die bis in den Himmel wachsen sollen. Voller Hoffnung macht er sich auf gen Westen, doch am Ziel seiner Träume wird er von seiner schicksalhaften Familiengeschichte eingeholt. Wird Robert es trotzdem schaffen, sein Glück zu finden? 

Kurzmeinung 
Überraschenderweise hat mich die Lektüre sehr schnell eingespannt. Bei dem "Allerwelts-“ Cover habe ich keine sehr hohen Erwartungen gehegt. Nicht selten ertappte ich mich aber bei dem Gedanken, "Ich will zurück zu meinem Buch um zu sehen, was Robert macht." Chevalier hat in ihm einen Charakter geschaffen, den man einfach auch trotz seiner Fehler sehr gern haben muss. Die Geschichte geht unter die Haut und hat auch ihre gelungenen, teils auch tragischen Überraschungsmomente. Eine ausgesprochene Empfehlung. Von mir gab's fünf Sterne.

spinstah's review against another edition

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5.0

This was wonderful! The book starts with the entire Goodenough family, who are settlers in a swampy part of Ohio, trying to start an apple orchard. The parents' relationship is fraught, to say the best. After that start, most of the novel follows their youngest child, Robert, who left home at a very early age and wandered the US, slowly heading west. When we catch up with him, he's in California just after the height of the gold rush. I really enjoyed the story - it was engrossing, the characters were interesting, the pacing was great, and it had a very natural ending.

music_madeline's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Interesting sectioning (no chapters); realism, felt like I was reading a diary/journal. Very engaging. Martha is very inspiring.