At the Edge of the Orchard

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I am a huge fan of Tracy Chevalier and have read all of her previous novels, I've been very excited about this one since I heard about it late last year.

Before writing, was a reference book editor, working on encyclopedias about writers. (Yup, still nerdy.) Learned how to research and how to make sentences better. Eventually I wanted to fix my own sentences rather than others’, so I quit and did the MA. Chevalier tells a fierce, beautifully crafted story in At the Edge of the Orchard, her most graceful and richly imagined work yet. Martha dies shortly after giving birth to a son and Molly takes over the baby's care, nursing it when Robert had come to fear that the baby might die. Molly soon gives birth to a daughter. Robert discovers that he is going to have to make a trip to England just an hour before he has to leave. Molly makes him take time to realize that he does not have to spend his life reacting to situations, including running from his childhood memories. Robert realizes that he does want Molly and the babies to accompany him, and they set out for England with Molly teaching Robert that life can be exciting and fun. This is set in the Wild West at the time of the Gold Rush and tells the story of Robert Goodenough, who travels West to escape from his violent past. My previous exposure to Pioneer Family stories was via Laura Ingalls Wilder. But, this is no happy, wholesome Little House on the Prairie feel-good book. However, there's a situation yet to come involving Robert's sometimes-lover Molly, and his long-lost sister. More tragedy waits in the offing.

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Like most Instaread summaries, this one gives a good peek inside the book before you have to make the full investment. This is a great way to get a brief overview of a book.

The strongest parts of the book are the historical details. I enjoyed the portrayal of the historical John Chapman (known as Johnny Appleseed), the details of early redwood/sequoia tourism, and all the bits about apple varieties. The seed collector, William Lobb, was a real person ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...) and his story was simply fascinating. A book about apples and family. Actually, one of the characters Is THE Johnny Appleseed, rowing down the river in a double canoe filled with apple seedlings and saplings and apple seeds for homesteaders to plant. Anyway. That's how I see it. I am a big fan of Tracy Chevalier and I'm always taken up and swept away by the beautiful writing in her impeccably researched historical fiction novels. Orchard is no exception. It's keen storytelling full of tension. Holy tree-zus! I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen to each of these people. It's an amazing journey across the American West, but this ain't no Little House on the Prairie. Get ready for a bumpy wagon ride.By 1838, the Goodenoughs have spent years living amid the muddy wetlands of northwestern Ohio, growing fruit trees as a requirement of their settlement – but not everyone blooms where they’re planted. Sadie’s mistakes and aggressions are the ones that propel the plot in the first half of the book. What did you think about her character? Discuss the ways the author makes Sadie’s behavior more understandable or sympathetic. In what ways is James responsible for the family’s strife? What would this novel be like without Sadie?