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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.
annecarts's review against another edition
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
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
tarahoc's review against another edition
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.
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
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
3.0
See my full review at
https://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-edge-of-orchard-by-tracy-chevalier.html
https://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-edge-of-orchard-by-tracy-chevalier.html