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cecilialau_'s review
4.5
Anya is our narrator in this very descriptive story taking place in Russia in the eighties. (And normally I can get “bored” by too many descriptors but I fully went with it in this book).
It is mostly a story about friendship between two girls who grow up together, and their love for each other is special and intense but in the way of exploring who they are and the curiosity that drives that desire.
I really enjoyed it and they were so authentic and real and sincere and discouraged and defeated and fierce and flawed and there was a sense of contentment while a strong desire to dream and hope for a different life - beyond the Iron Curtain.
There is an author’s note at the end of the book that lets the reader know how personal it is and how her own life inspired this piece of historical fiction.
The way Anya realises that Milka is not gaining weight despite a very healthy appetite due to her family life (lack of emotional support) is really profound and so important to point out, I think
It is mostly a story about friendship between two girls who grow up together, and their love for each other is special and intense but in the way of exploring who they are and the curiosity that drives that desire.
I really enjoyed it and they were so authentic and real and sincere and discouraged and defeated and fierce and flawed and there was a sense of contentment while a strong desire to dream and hope for a different life - beyond the Iron Curtain.
There is an author’s note at the end of the book that lets the reader know how personal it is and how her own life inspired this piece of historical fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Rape, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Violence, Blood, Death, Cursing, Pregnancy, Bullying, Sexual assault, Drug use, Abortion, and Grief
mjs_18's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
emilyreadsitall's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
neolx's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This was not just written to write something or to win some award, like a lot of lit fic published today. This was written from a place of pain and trauma. While it is fiction, it reads like a memoir and feels informed by lived experiences. Though slow, it was very deliberate and intentional. You could feel the author’s struggle with love and hate for her home and her effort to come to terms with her difficult past through writing. This was no small feat, having been beautifully and thoughtfully written in a language that is not her mother tongue. She also very clearly and nakedly set the reader in the time and place of 1980’s Russia, both in a physical and sensory way, but also in the emotional headspace of the characters living through the complicated and often devastating political situation in Russia. While this felt a bit overwritten at times, overall I loved the writing and found so many unique and startling gems of wisdom tucked in this story.
ngalbani's review against another edition
5.0
Interesting debut novel, I loved the description of the time and place. It is not an easy read but at the end I loved it!
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
The Orchard by Kristina Gorcheva-Newberry
This story would be depressing at any time but more so right now. Anya and Milka are coming of age in 1980s USSR. Anya, who lives in a tiny apartment with her parents and her maternal grandmother, has grown up on the stories her grandmother tells of barely surviving starvation during the blockade of Leningrad. Anya's four year old uncle did starve to death and Anya's grandmother had to do the unthinkable to save Anya's three year old sister. Anya's parents tell of the hardships of surviving WWII. But what is there to look forward to now? Anya's parents work very long hours and now are being made to work even longer hours, while what meager supplies that they have been able to get are shrinking. Anya has this same future to look forward to, a drab gray existence where the goal is to find a man who works and brings home what little money he makes. Whether he beats her or their children does not matter, having a man is what matters, having babies is what she is supposed to do.
The afterword is an important part of the story, for me. The author lived through this time in the USSR, heard the stories first hand, knows what she escaped and what was really happening then and now. This was not an enjoyable read and this book was especially hard to read against the background of current world events. It seems some things never change or else they just get worse.
Pub Mar 15, 2022
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.
This story would be depressing at any time but more so right now. Anya and Milka are coming of age in 1980s USSR. Anya, who lives in a tiny apartment with her parents and her maternal grandmother, has grown up on the stories her grandmother tells of barely surviving starvation during the blockade of Leningrad. Anya's four year old uncle did starve to death and Anya's grandmother had to do the unthinkable to save Anya's three year old sister. Anya's parents tell of the hardships of surviving WWII. But what is there to look forward to now? Anya's parents work very long hours and now are being made to work even longer hours, while what meager supplies that they have been able to get are shrinking. Anya has this same future to look forward to, a drab gray existence where the goal is to find a man who works and brings home what little money he makes. Whether he beats her or their children does not matter, having a man is what matters, having babies is what she is supposed to do.
The afterword is an important part of the story, for me. The author lived through this time in the USSR, heard the stories first hand, knows what she escaped and what was really happening then and now. This was not an enjoyable read and this book was especially hard to read against the background of current world events. It seems some things never change or else they just get worse.
Pub Mar 15, 2022
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.
duffrunstough's review against another edition
4.0
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of “The Orchard” through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"The Orchard" is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that tells the story of a group of inseparable friends during the fall of the Soviet Union. The book is narrated by Anya, who recalls her childhood and teenage years with her best friends, Milka and the two boys, Lopatin and Trifonov. Set against the backdrop of the political and social turmoil in Russia during the 1980s, the story explores themes of friendship, sexual exploration, and coming of age against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world.
One of the standout elements of "The Orchard" is its vivid and authentic portrayal of life in Russia during this time period. The book offers a unique and nuanced perspective on the complexities and challenges of growing up in the Soviet Union, and the ways in which the fall of the regime impacted the lives of ordinary people. The characters are also well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations.
The first part of the book follows Anya and her friends as they navigate their teenage years and the many regimes that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union. The second part of the book picks up almost twenty years later, as Anya returns to Russia from the United States, where she has married an American and pursued a career as a comparative literature professor. As Anya confronts the ghosts of her past and works to build a future for herself and her family, the conflict with Lopatin over the sale of her family's orchard takes center stage.
This novel takes a great deal of inspiration from "The Cherry Orchard" by playwright Anton Chekhov, as shown by the protagonist being named Anya and the antagonist being named Lopatin, rather than Lopakhin. While I enjoyed the novel, I couldn't help but feel that I would have had a deeper understanding had I seen or read the play script of "The Cherry Orchard" beforehand.
Overall, "The Orchard" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique and authentic portrayal of life in the Soviet Union during the 1980s. With its emotional depth, engaging characters, and compelling storyline, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the historical and cultural context of the fall of the Soviet Union. Just be aware that the book may contain triggering themes and content, including sexual abuse and violence, which could be disturbing for some readers. If you have experienced trauma or have triggers that may be activated by this type of content, it may be best to approach this book with caution or seek support while reading.
Overall, I give this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars!
"The Orchard" is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that tells the story of a group of inseparable friends during the fall of the Soviet Union. The book is narrated by Anya, who recalls her childhood and teenage years with her best friends, Milka and the two boys, Lopatin and Trifonov. Set against the backdrop of the political and social turmoil in Russia during the 1980s, the story explores themes of friendship, sexual exploration, and coming of age against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world.
One of the standout elements of "The Orchard" is its vivid and authentic portrayal of life in Russia during this time period. The book offers a unique and nuanced perspective on the complexities and challenges of growing up in the Soviet Union, and the ways in which the fall of the regime impacted the lives of ordinary people. The characters are also well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations.
The first part of the book follows Anya and her friends as they navigate their teenage years and the many regimes that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union. The second part of the book picks up almost twenty years later, as Anya returns to Russia from the United States, where she has married an American and pursued a career as a comparative literature professor. As Anya confronts the ghosts of her past and works to build a future for herself and her family, the conflict with Lopatin over the sale of her family's orchard takes center stage.
This novel takes a great deal of inspiration from "The Cherry Orchard" by playwright Anton Chekhov, as shown by the protagonist being named Anya and the antagonist being named Lopatin, rather than Lopakhin. While I enjoyed the novel, I couldn't help but feel that I would have had a deeper understanding had I seen or read the play script of "The Cherry Orchard" beforehand.
Overall, "The Orchard" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique and authentic portrayal of life in the Soviet Union during the 1980s. With its emotional depth, engaging characters, and compelling storyline, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the historical and cultural context of the fall of the Soviet Union. Just be aware that the book may contain triggering themes and content, including sexual abuse and violence, which could be disturbing for some readers. If you have experienced trauma or have triggers that may be activated by this type of content, it may be best to approach this book with caution or seek support while reading.
Overall, I give this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars!
ccceylinn's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐ - this book was a little slow (might also be bc im in a reading slump) but it got so good after. so many things happening towards the end of the USSR. defo a recommendation if you're interested in that!