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drianturner's review against another edition
5.0
I read The Girl With the Pearl Earring many years ago. I enjoyed that but not so much that I so wanted to read her other books. But the number of her books on my Kindle started to mount up.
First, I read The Last Runaway, which I absolutely loved! It was set in Ohio, in the late 18th century, and featured people furthering the escape of slaves on the underground railroad. Then, I read this, the Edge of the Orchard, which was also set in America but in the 19th Century. It was a family trying to grow apple orchards in the harsh, marsh environment of the mid-West. I enjoyed this, too, but not as much as The Last Runaway.
Finally, I read one of her older novels, The Lady of the Unicorn, which I think Chevalier wrote immediately after The Girl With the Pearl Earring. It certainly seems so as the tales were very similar.
First, I read The Last Runaway, which I absolutely loved! It was set in Ohio, in the late 18th century, and featured people furthering the escape of slaves on the underground railroad. Then, I read this, the Edge of the Orchard, which was also set in America but in the 19th Century. It was a family trying to grow apple orchards in the harsh, marsh environment of the mid-West. I enjoyed this, too, but not as much as The Last Runaway.
Finally, I read one of her older novels, The Lady of the Unicorn, which I think Chevalier wrote immediately after The Girl With the Pearl Earring. It certainly seems so as the tales were very similar.
bethsponz's review against another edition
4.0
I liked reading about the sequoias and redwoods, especially since I'm going to California soon. I liked Robert Goodenough's journey, and not so much his family in beginning. I really like this author and have read 2 other of her books.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Who knew that if you cultivated 50 apple trees on a piece of property in 1838 you could stake a claim on the land? I learned that and a few other tidbits about some early pioneers. Johnny Appleseed is a secondary character in this work of historical fiction about the Goodenough family. James and Sadie get as far as the mud flats of Ohio as they head west from Connecticut with some kids and some apple tree seedlings. The first half of the novel tells the dismal story of the family's attempts to survive and thrive. The second half of the novel is Robert Goodenough's story - the one on whom any sort of 'legacy' depends. It's a well told story though I didn't get very attached to any of the characters.
nokisuu's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful story about trees (and people who love them) which manages to surprise reader.
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
After a rough start with lots of bad language and very poor parenting, I came to enjoy the story.
All the talk of trees reminded me of The Overstory.
Listening length approx nine hr
All the talk of trees reminded me of The Overstory.
Listening length approx nine hr
jserrano's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ashleysilver7's review against another edition
4.0
This book started out slowly, but was very enjoyable. Chevalier does a great job of painting how hard life was for the early settlers in our country. Sadly, the Goodenough family was very violent and unfortunate, and reading about their everyday life was depressing. They lived a hard life, had a hard trip out west to the Swamp area in Ohio, where the father, Sam, tended to his apples. Sadly, Sam and his wife, Sadie, had a volatile marriage, and their kids suffered because of it.
The story goes back and forth between the life of the Goodenough family, and it's protagonist son, Robert. Robert tried to get as far away from his family and past, and headed west at the age of 9. This is unbelievable! However, he was able to overcome due to the knowledge his father passed on re: apples, grafting, and trees. Luckily, Robert had a good soul and seems to have come out all right.
The story goes back and forth between the life of the Goodenough family, and it's protagonist son, Robert. Robert tried to get as far away from his family and past, and headed west at the age of 9. This is unbelievable! However, he was able to overcome due to the knowledge his father passed on re: apples, grafting, and trees. Luckily, Robert had a good soul and seems to have come out all right.
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
Chevalier, Tracy. At the Edge of the Orchard. 7 CDs. unabridged. 9 hrs. Books on Tape. ISBN 9781101924983.
Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring) pulls no punches with this hard hit tale of a pioneer family that can't ever seem to get ahead. In 1838 the Goodenough family settles into the Black Swamp of northern Ohio and try to have a go at planting apple trees aided by the traveling salesman known as Johnny Appleseed. James cares for his apple trees better than he does his ten children (half of which have died), savoring the sweet apples they can make. His wife Sadie however, only likes the trees when the apples produced are bitter, making them ideal for alcohol and giving her an escape from the life she detests. Told from alternating viewpoints and letters, this tale of rough rugged living sucks listeners in with four distinct voice talents, all of whom embody and enliven the tale with their rough accents. Every drawl and whistle, and song bring the Black Swamp to life for listeners. Meticulously researched, heartbreakingly beautiful, deceptively simple, and superbly narrated. Another must read from the queen of historical fiction. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN
Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring) pulls no punches with this hard hit tale of a pioneer family that can't ever seem to get ahead. In 1838 the Goodenough family settles into the Black Swamp of northern Ohio and try to have a go at planting apple trees aided by the traveling salesman known as Johnny Appleseed. James cares for his apple trees better than he does his ten children (half of which have died), savoring the sweet apples they can make. His wife Sadie however, only likes the trees when the apples produced are bitter, making them ideal for alcohol and giving her an escape from the life she detests. Told from alternating viewpoints and letters, this tale of rough rugged living sucks listeners in with four distinct voice talents, all of whom embody and enliven the tale with their rough accents. Every drawl and whistle, and song bring the Black Swamp to life for listeners. Meticulously researched, heartbreakingly beautiful, deceptively simple, and superbly narrated. Another must read from the queen of historical fiction. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN
meshuggeknitter's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. The narration was ok, the male narrator was not great with female voices. They all sounded gruff and old.
The book ended abruptly. Huh?
The book ended abruptly. Huh?
rosalyn007's review against another edition
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.