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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Don't have the book any more so I can only paraphrase one of the closing sentences, or maybe something in the afterword: we were chasing the life we didn't get to have. And that's kind of what resolved the whole text for me, the self-aware acknowledgment the story is equal parts love letter and elegy for an expectation of a future that never came to pass. It underscores the intentionality of the disjointed and melodramatic bits in a way that I found authentic to the very specific historical moment with which the narrative is concerned.
What a very personal story! I really wanted to know more at the end of the book. I wanted Milka to have more. She deserved so much more. But I also wanted Anya to have more…happiness.
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!
Gorcheva-Newberry’s novel is a sad, beautifully written debut, set in the 1980s, during the collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union. I enjoyed learning about that time, as most books that I have read occurred either before or after this. Reading the book now, as Russia is attempting, by force, to rebuild the Soviet Union, was especially interesting and heartbreaking. Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard is woven throughout the book, deepening and enhancing the themes of friendship, power and loss.
The book started out slow for me. The first 30% of the book is a coming-of-age story, focusing on the friendship between Milka and Anya, and I had a hard time finding the rhythm. But after Lopatin and Trifonov were introduced, the pace quickened, and I flew through the rest of the story. Gorcheva-Newberrry is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.
The book started out slow for me. The first 30% of the book is a coming-of-age story, focusing on the friendship between Milka and Anya, and I had a hard time finding the rhythm. But after Lopatin and Trifonov were introduced, the pace quickened, and I flew through the rest of the story. Gorcheva-Newberrry is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes