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At the Edge of the Orchard
From internationally bestselling author Tracy Chevalier, a riveting drama of a pioneer family on the American frontier
1838: James and Sadie Goodenough have settled where their wagon got stuck - in the muddy, stagnant swamps of northwest Ohio. They and their five children work relentlessly to tame their patch of land, buying saplings from a local tree man known as John Appleseed so they can cultivate the fifty apple trees required to stake their claim on the property. But the orchard they plant sows the seeds of a long battle. James loves the apples, reminders of an easier life back in Connecticut; while Sadie prefers the applejack they make, an alcoholic refuge from brutal frontier life.
1853: Their youngest child Robert is wandering through Gold Rush California. Restless and haunted by the broken family he left behind, he has made his way alone across the country. In the redwood and giant sequoia groves he finds some solace, collecting seeds for a naturalist who sells plants from the new world to the gardeners of England. But you can run only so far, even in America, and when Robert's past makes an unexpected appearance he must decide whether to strike out again or stake his own claim to a home at last.
Chevalier tells a fierce, beautifully crafted story in At the Edge of the Orchard, her most graceful and richly imagined work yet.
1838: James and Sadie Goodenough have settled where their wagon got stuck - in the muddy, stagnant swamps of northwest Ohio. They and their five children work relentlessly to tame their patch of land, buying saplings from a local tree man known as John Appleseed so they can cultivate the fifty apple trees required to stake their claim on the property. But the orchard they plant sows the seeds of a long battle. James loves the apples, reminders of an easier life back in Connecticut; while Sadie prefers the applejack they make, an alcoholic refuge from brutal frontier life.
1853: Their youngest child Robert is wandering through Gold Rush California. Restless and haunted by the broken family he left behind, he has made his way alone across the country. In the redwood and giant sequoia groves he finds some solace, collecting seeds for a naturalist who sells plants from the new world to the gardeners of England. But you can run only so far, even in America, and when Robert's past makes an unexpected appearance he must decide whether to strike out again or stake his own claim to a home at last.
Chevalier tells a fierce, beautifully crafted story in At the Edge of the Orchard, her most graceful and richly imagined work yet.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2016
1683 people are currently reading
16525 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Chevalier
63 books11.4k followersBorn:
19 October 1962 in Washington, DC. Youngest of 3 children. Father was a photographer for The Washington Post.
Childhood:
Nerdy. Spent a lot of time lying on my bed reading. Favorite authors back then: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madeleine L’Engle, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Lloyd Alexander. Book I would have taken to a desert island: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.
Education:
BA in English, Oberlin College, Ohio, 1984. No one was surprised that I went there; I was made for such a progressive, liberal place.
MA in creative writing, University of East Anglia, Norwich, England, 1994. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not you can be taught to write. Why doesn’t anyone ask that of professional singers, painters, dancers? That year forced me to write all the time and take it seriously.
Geography:
Moved to London after graduating from Oberlin in 1984. I had studied for a semester in London and thought it was a great place, so came over for fun, expecting to go back to the US after 6 months to get serious. I’m still in London, and still not entirely serious. Even have dual citizenship – though I keep the American accent intact.
Family:
1 English husband + 1 English son.
Career:
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.
Writing:
Talked a lot about becoming a writer as a kid, but actual pen to paper contact was minimal. Started writing short stories in my 20s, then began first novel, The Virgin Blue, during the MA year. With Girl With a Pearl Earring (written in 1998), I became a full-time writer.
19 October 1962 in Washington, DC. Youngest of 3 children. Father was a photographer for The Washington Post.
Childhood:
Nerdy. Spent a lot of time lying on my bed reading. Favorite authors back then: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madeleine L’Engle, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Lloyd Alexander. Book I would have taken to a desert island: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.
Education:
BA in English, Oberlin College, Ohio, 1984. No one was surprised that I went there; I was made for such a progressive, liberal place.
MA in creative writing, University of East Anglia, Norwich, England, 1994. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not you can be taught to write. Why doesn’t anyone ask that of professional singers, painters, dancers? That year forced me to write all the time and take it seriously.
Geography:
Moved to London after graduating from Oberlin in 1984. I had studied for a semester in London and thought it was a great place, so came over for fun, expecting to go back to the US after 6 months to get serious. I’m still in London, and still not entirely serious. Even have dual citizenship – though I keep the American accent intact.
Family:
1 English husband + 1 English son.
Career:
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.
Writing:
Talked a lot about becoming a writer as a kid, but actual pen to paper contact was minimal. Started writing short stories in my 20s, then began first novel, The Virgin Blue, during the MA year. With Girl With a Pearl Earring (written in 1998), I became a full-time writer.
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December 10, 2015Sometimes, a book comes along that somehow ticks all the boxes. This is one of those books: it's minutely-researched, surefooted, touching and at times, heartbreakingly beautiful, and yet it manages to remain deceptively simple throughout, navigating the potentially difficult waters of the multiple narrative, multiple-timeline style as easily as a clipper ship on a sunny summer's day. The voices are rich and individual; the attention to detail impressive; and the scent of apples, damp earth, pines, runs potently through the whole. A joy.
March 23, 2016
The novel starts out with alternating chapters of a husband and wife , having settled in Black Swamp, Ohio traveling west from Connecticut when they could go no further through the mud. These are not just alternating points of view but so opposing - it had me wondering why they married in the first place . James wanted to grow apples for eating and Sadie wanted to grow "spitters" for the applejack. This is a vindictive, embittered husband and wife and I was heartbroken for their children.
I know the times were hard in the 1830's in Black Swamp, Ohio but such a dysfunctional family! I almost gave up on them. It was just so hard to like these people. The drinking and beatings and fights over the trees , the dark miserable life they led . The only light I saw was in one of their children, Robert.
It was a relief to get to the part focusing on Robert who leaves home and goes west . It was here that I saw glimpses of some lovely writing as Robert forges his way west , carrying with him the burden of his past and well as his love of trees . We are though, taken back to Black Swamp and it is eventually revealed why Robert left Ohio and the family's apple farm. It is here in this section on Robert that I got a sense of the history that Chevalier skillfully depicts . Even though I had a difficult time with the dark parts of the story , I felt a connection to Robert and was glad that I didn't give up on him before seeing the good man that he becomes and the hope that seemed impossible.
Thanks to Penguin Group (USA) Inc./Viking and Edelweiss.
I know the times were hard in the 1830's in Black Swamp, Ohio but such a dysfunctional family! I almost gave up on them. It was just so hard to like these people. The drinking and beatings and fights over the trees , the dark miserable life they led . The only light I saw was in one of their children, Robert.
It was a relief to get to the part focusing on Robert who leaves home and goes west . It was here that I saw glimpses of some lovely writing as Robert forges his way west , carrying with him the burden of his past and well as his love of trees . We are though, taken back to Black Swamp and it is eventually revealed why Robert left Ohio and the family's apple farm. It is here in this section on Robert that I got a sense of the history that Chevalier skillfully depicts . Even though I had a difficult time with the dark parts of the story , I felt a connection to Robert and was glad that I didn't give up on him before seeing the good man that he becomes and the hope that seemed impossible.
Thanks to Penguin Group (USA) Inc./Viking and Edelweiss.
March 13, 2016
You know when you read an amazing book where the landscape becomes one of the characters? You know: the moors in Return of the Native, or the highlands (and the house) in Wuthering Heights. In At the Edge of the Orchard, you have trees. Apple trees, and redwoods, and giant sequoias.
The trees and landscape are also metaphors that reflect the lives of the characters. The Black Swamp, where everyone is stuck and it's hard to grow. Some apples are sweet and worth saving, others become bruised and secondary. And grafting trees ("Grafting trees had always seemed a miracle to James...). Grafting requires knowledge and skill and patience and nurturing. Done right and with care, you create a hybrid tree. Two parts coming together to make something new and wonderful. But James and Sadie, two very different people, never quite grafted and ended up with a sadly dysfunctional relationship. They did have a bunch of kids, though, and got two good ones out of the ten: Robert and Martha. And then there are the giant trees of the west: people looking for new lives where the sky is the limit.
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.
(Thank you Viking & Penguin First-to-Read!)
The trees and landscape are also metaphors that reflect the lives of the characters. The Black Swamp, where everyone is stuck and it's hard to grow. Some apples are sweet and worth saving, others become bruised and secondary. And grafting trees ("Grafting trees had always seemed a miracle to James...). Grafting requires knowledge and skill and patience and nurturing. Done right and with care, you create a hybrid tree. Two parts coming together to make something new and wonderful. But James and Sadie, two very different people, never quite grafted and ended up with a sadly dysfunctional relationship. They did have a bunch of kids, though, and got two good ones out of the ten: Robert and Martha. And then there are the giant trees of the west: people looking for new lives where the sky is the limit.
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.
(Thank you Viking & Penguin First-to-Read!)
March 17, 2016
3.5 Black Swamp, Ohio is as far as the James and Sadie Goodenough with their children manage to travel. Here they settle, here Johnny Appleseed finds them and sells James apple trees and apple seeds.
These trees would prove a big bone of contention between husband and wife. Dysfunctional family, apple trees, apple jack, Hobbs a seed collector, the redwoods, sequoias, the gold rush, are some of the things touched on in this novel.
We start with the family and their efforts to settle in this swamp, and then we travel with young Robert, the eldest son as he travels westward, working different jobs until he meets Hobbs and find employment with him collecting seeds and comes. We don't know why he left his family and won't until the third part of the book.
A very depressing story in the beginning, historically interesting for the second part, but much time spent on apples and seeds. More time spent on the historical than in fleshing out the characters, or so I felt. Molly, who appears in the second half of the novel brings a welcome and refreshing, even uplifting boost to this novel. Not until them last part did we get a better understanding of Robert and it was this part of the book I enjoyed the most. So a mixed reaction from me, loved the writing, the story was interesting but I felt it was a little disconnected. Definitely worth reading though. As always appreciated the author's note which lets the reader know what was factual and what was fiction.
ARC from Netgalley.
These trees would prove a big bone of contention between husband and wife. Dysfunctional family, apple trees, apple jack, Hobbs a seed collector, the redwoods, sequoias, the gold rush, are some of the things touched on in this novel.
We start with the family and their efforts to settle in this swamp, and then we travel with young Robert, the eldest son as he travels westward, working different jobs until he meets Hobbs and find employment with him collecting seeds and comes. We don't know why he left his family and won't until the third part of the book.
A very depressing story in the beginning, historically interesting for the second part, but much time spent on apples and seeds. More time spent on the historical than in fleshing out the characters, or so I felt. Molly, who appears in the second half of the novel brings a welcome and refreshing, even uplifting boost to this novel. Not until them last part did we get a better understanding of Robert and it was this part of the book I enjoyed the most. So a mixed reaction from me, loved the writing, the story was interesting but I felt it was a little disconnected. Definitely worth reading though. As always appreciated the author's note which lets the reader know what was factual and what was fiction.
ARC from Netgalley.
February 7, 2017
I like Tracy Chevaliers’ writing and was keen to read this story which starts in Ohio in 1838. The aptly named place called Black Swamp, where James and Sadie Goodenough, live is a harsh landscape. James is committed to growing apple trees. Golden Pippins brought over from England initially are his favourites. His wife resents her husband and the life they are living. She spends much of her time drunk on applejack and trying to sabotage his efforts at growing good eating apples and developing their land. Sadie is a thoroughly despicable character and James is not much better. The way they treat each other and their family is appalling. So why did I keep reading? Because it is so well written. The setting and characters are vividly portrayed, even if they are not likable and left me horrified at times. This harsh lifestyle and warring of husband and wife takes its toll on the family in horrific ways.
No wonder Robert, their youngest son flees. The next part of the story tells of his life travelling America, picking up various jobs just to exist and being part of the California Gold Rush for a time. Finally though he finds something that interest him and it concerns trees. He forges a life for himself but the past comes back to haunt him. Despite his dysfunctional family, Robert is a likeable character, who draws some larger than life people around him.
Even though this book was hard to read given the attitudes and behaviour of his parents, I was fascinated by the information about not only apple growing but the other tress that populate this novel. I really enjoyed the author’s notes at the end which tells more of the real people who inhabit the pages of this novel and add to the story. I found this to be an interesting read and I learned a lot about various trees and types of apples. I really liked the ending. I‘d say not the easiest read and won’t suit everyone, but definitely well worth reading.
No wonder Robert, their youngest son flees. The next part of the story tells of his life travelling America, picking up various jobs just to exist and being part of the California Gold Rush for a time. Finally though he finds something that interest him and it concerns trees. He forges a life for himself but the past comes back to haunt him. Despite his dysfunctional family, Robert is a likeable character, who draws some larger than life people around him.
Even though this book was hard to read given the attitudes and behaviour of his parents, I was fascinated by the information about not only apple growing but the other tress that populate this novel. I really enjoyed the author’s notes at the end which tells more of the real people who inhabit the pages of this novel and add to the story. I found this to be an interesting read and I learned a lot about various trees and types of apples. I really liked the ending. I‘d say not the easiest read and won’t suit everyone, but definitely well worth reading.
February 20, 2016
My primary complaints with this novel are the characters were flat and stereotypical and the story dragged for the first two-thirds of the novel.
None of the characters were highly likable or engaging. They did not seem to have significant depth. If you are new to Tracy Chevalier's work, I would recommend her earlier novels over this title.
None of the characters were highly likable or engaging. They did not seem to have significant depth. If you are new to Tracy Chevalier's work, I would recommend her earlier novels over this title.
August 27, 2023
3 stars
English original: At the Edge of the Orchard.
Either Tracy has lost her touch, or she's in the middle of developing a new style that isn't ready yet. Or one that is highly problematic structurally.
After the very enjoyable The Virgin Blue, Falling Angels, Girl With a Pearl Earring and The Lady and the Unicorn - all of which cemented my fandom of Chevalier - came Burning Bright an utter snore of a novel that was not only badly conceived, but, for most readers, distracted and misfocused in plot and character.
Only the vivid writing saved it. Somewhat.
So for years now, I've been head shy to pick up her new stuff. Recently though, "At The Edge of the Orchard" (dt: Der Ruf der Bäume = The Call of the Trees) and A Single Thread turned up in a discount bin and I decided for 6 euros to take a chance on her again.
This one was was mostly a let down. *big sigh*
Here again, are the same problems as in Burning Bright: pacing horribly off, misfocused plotting, odd and dissatisfying plot twists, and characters you like, but could pass in the street and not recognise due to how 'average Joe' or just nice they are.
Unimportant details - like the minute of apple grafting and redwoods vs sequoias - are given dozens and dozens of pages, while VERY important plot events are sped through on fast forward or only mentioned in a sentence or two.
Many readers did not like the Goodenough parents - James and Sadie. I found them and their story to be the most interesting thing about the novel! Perhaps because they are quite like a lot of people I grew up around. Plain, detail-obsessed men with little time for people or family, and dissatisfied, hard women out for vicious, petty revenge wherever they can get it. Where their story literally ends is where I've seen a good handful of marriages metaphorically end.
On the other hand, Robert's big California adventure bored me in different measures. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I found myself skimming parts and not really interested in his love affairs or what happens to him after .
I still have A Single Thread on my shelf to read. I'm crossing my fingers it doesn't suffer from the same problems as this one and Burning Bright. But if it does, that'll be the end of the road for me as a fan.
English original: At the Edge of the Orchard.
Either Tracy has lost her touch, or she's in the middle of developing a new style that isn't ready yet. Or one that is highly problematic structurally.
After the very enjoyable The Virgin Blue, Falling Angels, Girl With a Pearl Earring and The Lady and the Unicorn - all of which cemented my fandom of Chevalier - came Burning Bright an utter snore of a novel that was not only badly conceived, but, for most readers, distracted and misfocused in plot and character.
Only the vivid writing saved it. Somewhat.
So for years now, I've been head shy to pick up her new stuff. Recently though, "At The Edge of the Orchard" (dt: Der Ruf der Bäume = The Call of the Trees) and A Single Thread turned up in a discount bin and I decided for 6 euros to take a chance on her again.
This one was was mostly a let down. *big sigh*
Here again, are the same problems as in Burning Bright: pacing horribly off, misfocused plotting, odd and dissatisfying plot twists, and characters you like, but could pass in the street and not recognise due to how 'average Joe' or just nice they are.
Unimportant details - like the minute of apple grafting and redwoods vs sequoias - are given dozens and dozens of pages, while VERY important plot events are sped through on fast forward or only mentioned in a sentence or two.
Many readers did not like the Goodenough parents - James and Sadie. I found them and their story to be the most interesting thing about the novel! Perhaps because they are quite like a lot of people I grew up around. Plain, detail-obsessed men with little time for people or family, and dissatisfied, hard women out for vicious, petty revenge wherever they can get it. Where their story literally ends is where I've seen a good handful of marriages metaphorically end.
On the other hand, Robert's big California adventure bored me in different measures. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I found myself skimming parts and not really interested in his love affairs or what happens to him after .
I still have A Single Thread on my shelf to read. I'm crossing my fingers it doesn't suffer from the same problems as this one and Burning Bright. But if it does, that'll be the end of the road for me as a fan.
February 26, 2016
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.
What fascinates me most about Tracy Chevalier and her writing is the fact that in every one of her books I've been introduced to a subject, or a place that I knew nothing about before. Whether is is Mary Anning, discovering fossils on the beach in the early 1800s (Remarkable Creatures, 2010), or Griet the young Dutch girl who became the model for the artist Vermeer (Girl With A Pearl Earring, 2001), this author's writing always captivates me. She totally immerses her readers into the time and the places of her stories, and she has done it once again in At The Edge of the Orchard.
The Goodenough family have moved to the Black Swamp, with the hope that they can establish an orchard of apples. If they can nuture enough trees to satisfy the authorities, then they can claim the land, and James Goodenough's legacy will remain.
The Black Swamp is a harsh and brutal place to raise a family for any couple, but for the ill-matched James and Sadie is is proving almost impossible. Tracy Chevalier's description of life in this alternately frozen, or boiling hot environment pulls no punches. Swamp Fever is rife and it is heartbreaking to hear James describe how he digs some graves before the undergrowth becomes too dense, for the children that he know will not make it through the season. Five of the Goodenough children have already died, it seems inevitable that those won't be the last.
James and Sadie are not good parents. James is stern and quick with his fists, he struggles with his inner thoughts, he knows that he feels affection for his children, especially Robert, but is unable to show kindness or love. Sadie is a drunk who is determined that James will plant more 'spitters' than 'eaters', she longs for the escape that a bottle of applejack brings, and constantly taunts her husband, and is cruel to her children.
The story is told via James and Sadie's voices, and these voices are colourful and vibrant. Tracy Chevalier's impeccable research echoes throughout this quite brilliant, evocative and enriching story.
The story moves forward fifteen years to California, where Robert Goodenough is travelling, trying his hand at different things, making a living, but always remembering his family back at the Black Swamp. The heartbreaking series of letters that Robert sends back home, every New Year's Day are exquisite in their simplicity, but also so very moving and there is a whole story written between the lines.
From the intricacies of apple growing, tree grafting and harvesting, to the collection of plants and seedlings in the American forests, and the shipping of these to the UK, At The Edge of the Orchard educates and thrills. Subjects that could easily be dry and of no interest suddenly become as fascinating as anything that I've ever read about, and the trees and plants are such an important part of this story, there are times that they seem like characters themselves.
A unique and compelling story that looks at broken family, and the ties that bind them coupled with fine historical detail with descriptions of new towns and brutal lives that are vividly and quite brilliantly portrayed. I was loathe to put this novel down for even one minute, and was so sad to turn the final page. I'd love to imagine that Tracy Chevalier may take up this story once again some day, so that the reader could follow Robert and his family on their journeys.
At The Edge of the Orchard is brutal yet tender, educational and evocative. Tracy Chevalier is a first-class author and this is quite possibly, her best novel yet.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
What fascinates me most about Tracy Chevalier and her writing is the fact that in every one of her books I've been introduced to a subject, or a place that I knew nothing about before. Whether is is Mary Anning, discovering fossils on the beach in the early 1800s (Remarkable Creatures, 2010), or Griet the young Dutch girl who became the model for the artist Vermeer (Girl With A Pearl Earring, 2001), this author's writing always captivates me. She totally immerses her readers into the time and the places of her stories, and she has done it once again in At The Edge of the Orchard.
The Goodenough family have moved to the Black Swamp, with the hope that they can establish an orchard of apples. If they can nuture enough trees to satisfy the authorities, then they can claim the land, and James Goodenough's legacy will remain.
The Black Swamp is a harsh and brutal place to raise a family for any couple, but for the ill-matched James and Sadie is is proving almost impossible. Tracy Chevalier's description of life in this alternately frozen, or boiling hot environment pulls no punches. Swamp Fever is rife and it is heartbreaking to hear James describe how he digs some graves before the undergrowth becomes too dense, for the children that he know will not make it through the season. Five of the Goodenough children have already died, it seems inevitable that those won't be the last.
James and Sadie are not good parents. James is stern and quick with his fists, he struggles with his inner thoughts, he knows that he feels affection for his children, especially Robert, but is unable to show kindness or love. Sadie is a drunk who is determined that James will plant more 'spitters' than 'eaters', she longs for the escape that a bottle of applejack brings, and constantly taunts her husband, and is cruel to her children.
The story is told via James and Sadie's voices, and these voices are colourful and vibrant. Tracy Chevalier's impeccable research echoes throughout this quite brilliant, evocative and enriching story.
The story moves forward fifteen years to California, where Robert Goodenough is travelling, trying his hand at different things, making a living, but always remembering his family back at the Black Swamp. The heartbreaking series of letters that Robert sends back home, every New Year's Day are exquisite in their simplicity, but also so very moving and there is a whole story written between the lines.
From the intricacies of apple growing, tree grafting and harvesting, to the collection of plants and seedlings in the American forests, and the shipping of these to the UK, At The Edge of the Orchard educates and thrills. Subjects that could easily be dry and of no interest suddenly become as fascinating as anything that I've ever read about, and the trees and plants are such an important part of this story, there are times that they seem like characters themselves.
A unique and compelling story that looks at broken family, and the ties that bind them coupled with fine historical detail with descriptions of new towns and brutal lives that are vividly and quite brilliantly portrayed. I was loathe to put this novel down for even one minute, and was so sad to turn the final page. I'd love to imagine that Tracy Chevalier may take up this story once again some day, so that the reader could follow Robert and his family on their journeys.
At The Edge of the Orchard is brutal yet tender, educational and evocative. Tracy Chevalier is a first-class author and this is quite possibly, her best novel yet.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
July 21, 2019
Loved this historical fiction novel! Had me on Google researching the area in Ohio.
March 12, 2016
This is an intense story of a married couple, Sadie and James Goodenough, and their children who settled in the swamps of Ohio in 1838. James has a love of apples and struggles with the muddy swampland to grow an apple orchard. He buys his seeds and saplings from none other than Johnny Appleseed. James loves the sweet apples but his wife Sadie loves the sour apples, called spitters, as those she can use to make applejack, which helps her escape the trials of the swamp. The biggest trial they face is swamp fever, which constantly threatens the lives of them and their children.
This is a dark book about a terribly troubled marriage. As their anger and disillusionment escalate, the book veers off from the swamp to follow the Goodenough’s youngest son, Robert, as he breaks away from the family to head west to California’s gold rush. Due to the love of apples that Robert learned at his father’s side, he eventually becomes a tree agent, collecting seeds and saplings to be sent to England. His story is told in part through his letters back home, to which he receives no response although his beloved sister Martha has also been diligently sending off letters. The author does revisit Ohio to tell of the tragedy that sent Robert away from home and what Martha endured after Robert left.
This author is meticulous in her research, not only into the lives of those who lived in the swamps of Ohio during that period of time and the California Gold Rush, but also the growing and nurturing of trees, which I found to be very interesting. This is a very good story about an unforgiving land and those who tried to endure there.
This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is a dark book about a terribly troubled marriage. As their anger and disillusionment escalate, the book veers off from the swamp to follow the Goodenough’s youngest son, Robert, as he breaks away from the family to head west to California’s gold rush. Due to the love of apples that Robert learned at his father’s side, he eventually becomes a tree agent, collecting seeds and saplings to be sent to England. His story is told in part through his letters back home, to which he receives no response although his beloved sister Martha has also been diligently sending off letters. The author does revisit Ohio to tell of the tragedy that sent Robert away from home and what Martha endured after Robert left.
This author is meticulous in her research, not only into the lives of those who lived in the swamps of Ohio during that period of time and the California Gold Rush, but also the growing and nurturing of trees, which I found to be very interesting. This is a very good story about an unforgiving land and those who tried to endure there.
This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 11, 2017
Just having the word "Orchard" in the title is probably enough to get my attention; but an apple orchard plus Tracy Chevalier plus a good audio rendition with a short waiting list, and I'm 100% committed. I liked this book a lot, except that it ended too soon IMO. There's the Goodenough family in Black Swamp, Ohio, and what an awful name for a town. Of course, awful things happen there. A couple with 5 living children and 5 dead, whose marriage is as sour as the apples they raise. James and Sadie can't agree on which type of tree to raise, where to grow them, or even if they should continue to grow them. Sadie is just mean as they come and it's a wonder any of her children turn out all right.
But at least we know that Robert turned out "better than goodenough" after leaving home following an especially bad fight between his parents. We follow him as he makes his way across America in the mid 1800's, and eventually to California where he becomes a gold miner and finally a tree man like his father. In Cali, it's Redwoods and Giant Sequioas, but he still dreams of the eating apples his father grew. The characters he meets along the way and Robert himself are very endearing. I wanted the story to continue on, another fifty pages would have been great; but I can understand why Chevalier chose to end the book where she did. 3.5 stars.
But at least we know that Robert turned out "better than goodenough" after leaving home following an especially bad fight between his parents. We follow him as he makes his way across America in the mid 1800's, and eventually to California where he becomes a gold miner and finally a tree man like his father. In Cali, it's Redwoods and Giant Sequioas, but he still dreams of the eating apples his father grew. The characters he meets along the way and Robert himself are very endearing. I wanted the story to continue on, another fifty pages would have been great; but I can understand why Chevalier chose to end the book where she did. 3.5 stars.
September 27, 2019
A Wonderful story. From the black swamps of Ohio to San Francisco and Beyond. Tracey Chevalier is such a skilled story teller. I read this book in almost one sitting. Pioneers and settlers lived tough lives! I have a fondness for stories of San Francisco during the Gold rush and have always wanted to visit the red woods, so this book was perfect for me
August 5, 2016
It was better than expected. It features a women who had no business to be a mother to ten children. Highly dysfunctional family trying to settle in black swamps of Ohio. Couple who managed to kill each other. And a boy who decides to to marry a hooker just because she told him she was pregnant with his child knowing he doesn't love her and never will.
No happy endings here, just hard life, raw emotions, and guilt.
And it is third book in my reading history that made me sniff once or twice. Quite accomplishment.
No happy endings here, just hard life, raw emotions, and guilt.
And it is third book in my reading history that made me sniff once or twice. Quite accomplishment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this novel. Quite a few reviewers have stated that the first parts of this book was slow and dragged. I actually preferred it to the second half. The hard life of starting from nothing, learning of the dysfunctional family dynamics, discovering Johnny Appleseed on a whole new level, and the apple Orchard itself (I felt a part of the descriptive surroundings quite often). The second half dragged more to me, but I would recommend this book without hesitation.
June 5, 2016
(2.5) Spanning 1838 to 1856 and reaching from Ohio to the California coast, this is the story of the Goodenough family. James and Sadie left the East Coast to settle in Ohio’s formidable Black Swamp. It’s not a happy life, and not just because of the difficulty of raising healthy apple trees or children. As soon as eldest son Robert gets the chance to leave he eagerly heads west. I like how Chevalier wove in historical figures here, particularly William Lobb, the English seed agent Robert works for, and real-life American folk hero John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed). She’s also created a handful of strong female characters. I had a few major problems, though. Especially in early parts, there is too much detail about tree planting and grafting. There are also melodramatic plot twists that seem pretty far-fetched. Having read seven of Chevalier’s eight novels, I’d rank this among the bottom few. It reminded me most of Emma Donoghue’s Frog Music, which has a similar California frontier setting but more memorable characters.
See my full review at Nudge.
See my full review at Nudge.
April 3, 2016
I won this book as a first read. I always feel a bit sad when the book doesn't sweep me off my feet. This book was depressing and sad. I wanted to connect with someone about something and just never did. It kept my interest enough to finish, but I was glad when it came to an end.
March 6, 2017
In 1838, James & Sadie Goodenough have settled where their wagon got stuck in the muddy, stagnant swamps in Northwest Ohio. They have children. They work hard to clear a patch of land and bought saplings from a local man called Johnny Appleseed.
In 1853, Robert their youngest child, is wandering through gold rush California. Haunted by the broken family he left behind.
This story is a bit depressing at the beginning but I did like the history behind this book. You can tell the author has researched the information. All in - a lovely read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Tracy Chevalier for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In 1853, Robert their youngest child, is wandering through gold rush California. Haunted by the broken family he left behind.
This story is a bit depressing at the beginning but I did like the history behind this book. You can tell the author has researched the information. All in - a lovely read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Tracy Chevalier for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2020
On my reread, I changed my rating from 4/5 to 5/5!! This book appeals to me in these ways: set in America during the 1800's, frontier life, and it is (at least in part) about trees.
James and Sadie Goodenough have moved to Northern Ohio to start a new life in the sticky mud of the Black Swamp. James is obsessed with his apple trees and wants nothing more than to see his orchard thrive; Sadie wants nothing more than for the orchard to fail. Their relationship is contentious and toxic, made harder by the fact that it is nearly impossible to thrive in the swamp with all of that sticky, black mud slowing life down in every way.
Sadie's hatred of the mud and of James for moving them to the swamp drives her to drink the cider and applejack that is made by the apples that James grows. James wants to use the apples for things like food and making a decent living, but Sadie uses a large portion of the apples to get drunk. This is all a recipe for disaster.
It is both fascinating and crazy to see how the Goodenough family (barely) functions in life. I kept reading and thinking it couldn't possibly get worse between these two, and then something more would pop up as James and Sadie told their story in alternating POVs. I couldn't turn away from watching these two self-destruct. We also hear from two of the children, Robert and Martha, and oh my gosh.
Tracy Chevalier's stories are known for being well-researched, and part of what I love about this particular book is that so many of these characters were real people. It was fun to go to the internet and read about the people (John Chapman aka Johnny Appleseed, for one) and the places in this book. Especially since the people and places were so intertwined with trees in some way. I'm a little bit obsessed with stories that have some sort of forestry or agriculture in them and this one really ticked all of the right boxes for me.
There are so many things that happen throughout the course of the story that are tragic or sad or just plain awful. BUT!! the ending is hopeful. I would imagine that some readers will realize how dark and gritty this story is and maybe they'll want to stop reading. I promise, though, if you can hang in there for a while, the ending is so worth it. I've read thoughts from a few readers that say they were able to understand or empathize with Sadie more as the book progressed and she revealed more of herself in her story, but I never felt that way. I thought she was incredibly selfish and mean, mean, mean from the beginning to the end.
Audiobook Notes: This is one of my favorite audiobooks because the narrators are SPOT ON. Mark Bramhall, Hillary Huber, Kirby Heyborne, and Cassandra Morris just nailed their parts beautifully. Shout out to Hillary Huber for making Sadie Goodenough sound so hateful and angry and pathetic! I 100% recommend listening to this one because it is so darn good.
Title: At The Edge Of The Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, Hillary Huber, Kirby Heyborne, Cassandra Morris
Length: 9 hours, 1 minute, Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
James and Sadie Goodenough have moved to Northern Ohio to start a new life in the sticky mud of the Black Swamp. James is obsessed with his apple trees and wants nothing more than to see his orchard thrive; Sadie wants nothing more than for the orchard to fail. Their relationship is contentious and toxic, made harder by the fact that it is nearly impossible to thrive in the swamp with all of that sticky, black mud slowing life down in every way.
Sadie's hatred of the mud and of James for moving them to the swamp drives her to drink the cider and applejack that is made by the apples that James grows. James wants to use the apples for things like food and making a decent living, but Sadie uses a large portion of the apples to get drunk. This is all a recipe for disaster.
It is both fascinating and crazy to see how the Goodenough family (barely) functions in life. I kept reading and thinking it couldn't possibly get worse between these two, and then something more would pop up as James and Sadie told their story in alternating POVs. I couldn't turn away from watching these two self-destruct. We also hear from two of the children, Robert and Martha, and oh my gosh.
Tracy Chevalier's stories are known for being well-researched, and part of what I love about this particular book is that so many of these characters were real people. It was fun to go to the internet and read about the people (John Chapman aka Johnny Appleseed, for one) and the places in this book. Especially since the people and places were so intertwined with trees in some way. I'm a little bit obsessed with stories that have some sort of forestry or agriculture in them and this one really ticked all of the right boxes for me.
There are so many things that happen throughout the course of the story that are tragic or sad or just plain awful. BUT!! the ending is hopeful. I would imagine that some readers will realize how dark and gritty this story is and maybe they'll want to stop reading. I promise, though, if you can hang in there for a while, the ending is so worth it. I've read thoughts from a few readers that say they were able to understand or empathize with Sadie more as the book progressed and she revealed more of herself in her story, but I never felt that way. I thought she was incredibly selfish and mean, mean, mean from the beginning to the end.
Audiobook Notes: This is one of my favorite audiobooks because the narrators are SPOT ON. Mark Bramhall, Hillary Huber, Kirby Heyborne, and Cassandra Morris just nailed their parts beautifully. Shout out to Hillary Huber for making Sadie Goodenough sound so hateful and angry and pathetic! I 100% recommend listening to this one because it is so darn good.
Title: At The Edge Of The Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, Hillary Huber, Kirby Heyborne, Cassandra Morris
Length: 9 hours, 1 minute, Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
July 31, 2025
At the Edge of the Orchard is another wonderful historical fiction novel from Tracy Chevalier.
Set in mid 1800s America we find ourselves in Black Swamp, Orion where the Goodenough family are eking out an existence on their land by raising apples. Father, James, loves the sweet Golden Pippins but his wife, Sadie, prefers the sour apples which make applejack (brandy). Both vie for supremacy over the orchard, sabotaging each other's trees at every chance.
In between the two are the children - Robert, Nathan, Sarah, Caleb and Martha. Robert is a quick learner and everyone's favourite but Martha suffers the most from her mother's wrath.
A tragedy brings about a change that will affect every member of the family sending the Goodenoughs spiralling in all directions.
Split into narrative alongside the letters of Robert and Martha, this novel covers decades of frontier life in America. The characters of the parents are simply horrific as the children struggle to live as normal a life as they are allowed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel although it did take a little time to get going. The parents are horrific but it simply makes you want the children to succeed even more. Chevalier takes us on a journey across the continent and I was glued to this beautifully crafted family saga.
Highly recommended.
I listened to the audio, which was narrated by Liza Ross. My single criticism is that she made one of the characters - Molly - sound like an old crone when she was probably not more than 30. And yes, I know, people aged faster but noone else sounds like a ringer for the wicked witch of the west.
Set in mid 1800s America we find ourselves in Black Swamp, Orion where the Goodenough family are eking out an existence on their land by raising apples. Father, James, loves the sweet Golden Pippins but his wife, Sadie, prefers the sour apples which make applejack (brandy). Both vie for supremacy over the orchard, sabotaging each other's trees at every chance.
In between the two are the children - Robert, Nathan, Sarah, Caleb and Martha. Robert is a quick learner and everyone's favourite but Martha suffers the most from her mother's wrath.
A tragedy brings about a change that will affect every member of the family sending the Goodenoughs spiralling in all directions.
Split into narrative alongside the letters of Robert and Martha, this novel covers decades of frontier life in America. The characters of the parents are simply horrific as the children struggle to live as normal a life as they are allowed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel although it did take a little time to get going. The parents are horrific but it simply makes you want the children to succeed even more. Chevalier takes us on a journey across the continent and I was glued to this beautifully crafted family saga.
Highly recommended.
I listened to the audio, which was narrated by Liza Ross. My single criticism is that she made one of the characters - Molly - sound like an old crone when she was probably not more than 30. And yes, I know, people aged faster but noone else sounds like a ringer for the wicked witch of the west.
November 4, 2019
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.
The Goodenough family has travelled from Connecticut to “The Black Swamp” in Ohio to make a life. James, the father, is the ultimate apple grower and worshipper. He treats his apples and trees better than his family. He is experienced in grafting, growing, and has a sixth sense with these trees. Unfortunately the soil is not rich in this part of Ohio and it’s filled with trees and roots and stumps and to make a friable soil to plant these trees and keep them alive and producing, is hard work. Mud, bogs, swamp fever, were part of the challenges of living there. It is an even bigger challenge to make these Apple trees grow and produce successfully out in this unknown area. The only family member who shares his Apple interest and is side by side learning with his father, is son, Robert. The other children (and wife) could really care less. Ironically, the wife grew up with a family orchard but didn’t give a damn about the trees or the apples yet she hooks up with an apple lover, James. Go figure.
We learn a lot about apples in this story. We find out what apples are “spitters” and what apples are eaters or used for cider/applejack. We read about how to graft a branch from an apple tree to the trunk of another apple tree. We also learn about swamp fever and how it easily took the lives of some of James and Sadie’s children, which possibly explains a part of why James loves his trees and Sadie hates them.
James’ wife Sadie is a mean spirited individual. She is rude and crass and jealous of James’ attention to the trees instead of to her. She is mean on purpose and truly awful when she gets her hands on applejack and gets sexually boisterous, although not with her husband, but flagrantly, with other men. Shes actually given her husband a black eye. She’s got a full on crush on the Apple man who visits with the trees and apple seeds in the canoe and right in front of her husband.
The rest of the family members are dysfunctional in their own way. We know that family members are all different in size, shape, personality, and these are no different. While this story is about their family life through the years, and apples are at the core (no pun intended) it becomes the story of Robert, the son, who shares the same passion as his father, for apples. Robert, the eventual lone survivor of the Goodenough clan.
Robert’s passion for apples becomes a passion for trees. And after the death of his parents, he leaves the homestead and his siblings and strikes out on his own. He is the son who will learn, travel, work a variety of jobs, make acquaintances, truly fall in love and in the end, settle in a most unexpected place with his own family.
There are references made in the book of the mining of gold out West - the Gold Rush.
Robert’s love for trees stays strong and stays with him in his future. He is, what is now called, a tree agent, collecting seedlings and seed pods of the great sequoia and redwood trees in California, shipping them overseas to The United Kingdom. I’ve not ever heard of this, but these huge trees have been successfully planted and are are growing there to this day.
It is interesting to read the Acknowledgements section at the back of the book; a lot of history and research was done to create this story. It is very interesting and quite informative. I enjoyed this book very much. Now I want to go and make some applesauce or bake an apple pie. I’ve got apples on the brain.
The Goodenough family has travelled from Connecticut to “The Black Swamp” in Ohio to make a life. James, the father, is the ultimate apple grower and worshipper. He treats his apples and trees better than his family. He is experienced in grafting, growing, and has a sixth sense with these trees. Unfortunately the soil is not rich in this part of Ohio and it’s filled with trees and roots and stumps and to make a friable soil to plant these trees and keep them alive and producing, is hard work. Mud, bogs, swamp fever, were part of the challenges of living there. It is an even bigger challenge to make these Apple trees grow and produce successfully out in this unknown area. The only family member who shares his Apple interest and is side by side learning with his father, is son, Robert. The other children (and wife) could really care less. Ironically, the wife grew up with a family orchard but didn’t give a damn about the trees or the apples yet she hooks up with an apple lover, James. Go figure.
We learn a lot about apples in this story. We find out what apples are “spitters” and what apples are eaters or used for cider/applejack. We read about how to graft a branch from an apple tree to the trunk of another apple tree. We also learn about swamp fever and how it easily took the lives of some of James and Sadie’s children, which possibly explains a part of why James loves his trees and Sadie hates them.
James’ wife Sadie is a mean spirited individual. She is rude and crass and jealous of James’ attention to the trees instead of to her. She is mean on purpose and truly awful when she gets her hands on applejack and gets sexually boisterous, although not with her husband, but flagrantly, with other men. Shes actually given her husband a black eye. She’s got a full on crush on the Apple man who visits with the trees and apple seeds in the canoe and right in front of her husband.
The rest of the family members are dysfunctional in their own way. We know that family members are all different in size, shape, personality, and these are no different. While this story is about their family life through the years, and apples are at the core (no pun intended) it becomes the story of Robert, the son, who shares the same passion as his father, for apples. Robert, the eventual lone survivor of the Goodenough clan.
Robert’s passion for apples becomes a passion for trees. And after the death of his parents, he leaves the homestead and his siblings and strikes out on his own. He is the son who will learn, travel, work a variety of jobs, make acquaintances, truly fall in love and in the end, settle in a most unexpected place with his own family.
There are references made in the book of the mining of gold out West - the Gold Rush.
Robert’s love for trees stays strong and stays with him in his future. He is, what is now called, a tree agent, collecting seedlings and seed pods of the great sequoia and redwood trees in California, shipping them overseas to The United Kingdom. I’ve not ever heard of this, but these huge trees have been successfully planted and are are growing there to this day.
It is interesting to read the Acknowledgements section at the back of the book; a lot of history and research was done to create this story. It is very interesting and quite informative. I enjoyed this book very much. Now I want to go and make some applesauce or bake an apple pie. I’ve got apples on the brain.
February 8, 2017
This review was originally posted on Between My Lines
At The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier is another winner for me from this creative author. Tracy Chevalier writes fiction that is meticulously researched, brings the past vividly to life and entertains the hell out of me. I love that she isn't afraid to shock with crude words, and even cruder situations. Most literary fiction bores me, but this shock element, along with her unexpected imagery draws me in. At The Edge of the Orchard is a perfect example of this.
My Thoughts on At The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
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.
To be honest, if you are looking for a happy, uplifting, feel-good book then you can knock this one right off your list! It was no barrel of laughs with themes of marital disharmony, murder, rape and incest. But it was also full of real characters just coping the best they could with all that life shot at them. The family dynamics are both horrifying and touching.
And then to balance it all out were beautiful descriptions of trees, seedlings and apples. I can safely say, I'm now an expert on apples. This part of the book is in such contrast to the jarring family dynamics, but it really works.
In a nutshell; it's dark, gritty and a strangely compelling read
Who should read At The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier?
I'd recommend this to if you love historical fiction, memorable characters and literary fiction that isn't up itself like so many are! Fans of her previous books such as The Girl with the Pearl Earring (one of my favourite books) should also enjoy this one.
At The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier is another winner for me from this creative author. Tracy Chevalier writes fiction that is meticulously researched, brings the past vividly to life and entertains the hell out of me. I love that she isn't afraid to shock with crude words, and even cruder situations. Most literary fiction bores me, but this shock element, along with her unexpected imagery draws me in. At The Edge of the Orchard is a perfect example of this.
My Thoughts on At The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
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.
“People had gone west leaving behind all sorts of trouble; what they found in California was the space and freedom to create new trouble.”
To be honest, if you are looking for a happy, uplifting, feel-good book then you can knock this one right off your list! It was no barrel of laughs with themes of marital disharmony, murder, rape and incest. But it was also full of real characters just coping the best they could with all that life shot at them. The family dynamics are both horrifying and touching.
And then to balance it all out were beautiful descriptions of trees, seedlings and apples. I can safely say, I'm now an expert on apples. This part of the book is in such contrast to the jarring family dynamics, but it really works.
In a nutshell; it's dark, gritty and a strangely compelling read
Who should read At The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier?
I'd recommend this to if you love historical fiction, memorable characters and literary fiction that isn't up itself like so many are! Fans of her previous books such as The Girl with the Pearl Earring (one of my favourite books) should also enjoy this one.
July 28, 2020
There's something about Chevalier's writing that just sucks me into the story. This story focuses on the Goodenough family trying to make their way in Ohio. John and Sadie transfer from Connecticut; John's hope is that he can support his family with his apple orchard. His wife Sadie makes her misery known and is an unlikable character throughout.
Robert is the youngest in the Goodenough family and this story really belongs to him. We get his travelogue through letters he writes home to his family. Once Robert settles in with an English botanist, his story unfolds in regular chapters. While Robert isn't always a completely engaging character, his story is interesting and the people with which he surrounds himself is equally of importance.
I liked the history I got of apples and grafting. I also liked that Johnny Appleseed is a side character that seems to be slightly amused by Sadie and her antics to win him over. All in all, I'm glad I finally got to this one as it wasn't what I expected at all.
Robert is the youngest in the Goodenough family and this story really belongs to him. We get his travelogue through letters he writes home to his family. Once Robert settles in with an English botanist, his story unfolds in regular chapters. While Robert isn't always a completely engaging character, his story is interesting and the people with which he surrounds himself is equally of importance.
I liked the history I got of apples and grafting. I also liked that Johnny Appleseed is a side character that seems to be slightly amused by Sadie and her antics to win him over. All in all, I'm glad I finally got to this one as it wasn't what I expected at all.
July 16, 2016
I really enjoyed this story about surviving in the US in the mid 1800s. Geographically, the story takes place in Connecticut, Ohio, a little bit in Detroit, Minnesota and Texas, then California. The premise is trees, mostly apple and redwood, but there is wonderful character development too.
July 6, 2023
Not one of my favourites but still enjoyable
October 13, 2022
My commitment to reading all Tracy Chevalier's novels has brought to my attention a number of trends and patterns in her writing. The main one is that many of her books take a long time to get into the purpose of the plot. They can often feel quite meandering and directionless for a good chunk of the book before it all slots into place and you can see where the story is going.
This book was another example of that. Up until almost two thirds of the way through I was wondering what the point was. That's not to say I wasn't enjoying the book, as I was happy to follow the two generations of the Goodenough family and the apples they grow which provide the central theme, but I was often wondering where the story was going, who was meant to be the protagonist etc....
I think this is more a case of Chevalier's individual style rather than necessarily a flaw in her writing but it does require a certain amount of patience from the reader and an ability to just be swept along with the plot and trust that all will come together eventually.
I have to say that the plot did come together very well in this book so by the end I could appreciate what Chevalier had been building throughout the story. The pay off was worth the investment which unfortunately isn't always the case with her novels.
This book was another example of that. Up until almost two thirds of the way through I was wondering what the point was. That's not to say I wasn't enjoying the book, as I was happy to follow the two generations of the Goodenough family and the apples they grow which provide the central theme, but I was often wondering where the story was going, who was meant to be the protagonist etc....
I think this is more a case of Chevalier's individual style rather than necessarily a flaw in her writing but it does require a certain amount of patience from the reader and an ability to just be swept along with the plot and trust that all will come together eventually.
I have to say that the plot did come together very well in this book so by the end I could appreciate what Chevalier had been building throughout the story. The pay off was worth the investment which unfortunately isn't always the case with her novels.
April 8, 2016
I've read 4 of Chevalier's other books, and liked them all, so I picked this one up even though none of the description's keywords triggered any of my particular interests. It's an interesting book... or, almost, two books. The story is sharply split, and I'm not sure the division works that well.
In the first quarter of the book, we meet a Westward-bound pioneer family who have run out of steam and settled in the swamps of Ohio. (I didn't even know there was a swamp in Ohio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_B...). James Goodenough was brought up growing trees; it's what he knows and loves. There's a rule that says he has to grow 50 fruit trees to lay legal claim to the land he's farming, but his desire to succeed in planting an orchard goes beyond a technicality. Unfortunately, a swamp isn't the best place to grow apple trees. Even worse, his wife, Sadie, is an alcoholic slattern. Any affection she may have once had for her husband has long-since eroded. Worn down by grief and hard living, she's become a bitter, backstabbing woman who's more than willing to cut off her nose to spite her face, and destroy everything her husband values.
After a violent tragedy, the book skips forward in years, and follows the young son of the Goodenough family, Robert, who, we quickly learn, left his family behind and hasn't heard from any of them for decades. He lives a rootless, itinerant lifestyle, finally falling in with a British man who is employed collecting seeds and saplings to send back to England, where American plants - especially redwoods and sequoias - have become the rage on wealthy patrons' estates. Apparently the love of trees is in the Goodenough blood, as Robert eagerly apprentices himself, learning about botany along the way.
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.
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.
However, as I said earlier, I didn't think the book was divided well. The first part was too long to feel like an introduction, but too short to feel like an equal part of the book. The ends of both parts of the story veered over an edge into melodrama. The characters aren't very nuanced - they're either extremely sympathetic or not-even-slightly sympathetic, and come very close to falling into stereotypes (the whore with a heart of gold, the bitter shrew, the stolid frontiersman, &c).
Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I don't feel that it's one of Chevalier's best.
Many thanks to Viking and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinion is solely my own.
In the first quarter of the book, we meet a Westward-bound pioneer family who have run out of steam and settled in the swamps of Ohio. (I didn't even know there was a swamp in Ohio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_B...). James Goodenough was brought up growing trees; it's what he knows and loves. There's a rule that says he has to grow 50 fruit trees to lay legal claim to the land he's farming, but his desire to succeed in planting an orchard goes beyond a technicality. Unfortunately, a swamp isn't the best place to grow apple trees. Even worse, his wife, Sadie, is an alcoholic slattern. Any affection she may have once had for her husband has long-since eroded. Worn down by grief and hard living, she's become a bitter, backstabbing woman who's more than willing to cut off her nose to spite her face, and destroy everything her husband values.
After a violent tragedy, the book skips forward in years, and follows the young son of the Goodenough family, Robert, who, we quickly learn, left his family behind and hasn't heard from any of them for decades. He lives a rootless, itinerant lifestyle, finally falling in with a British man who is employed collecting seeds and saplings to send back to England, where American plants - especially redwoods and sequoias - have become the rage on wealthy patrons' estates. Apparently the love of trees is in the Goodenough blood, as Robert eagerly apprentices himself, learning about botany along the way.
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.
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.
However, as I said earlier, I didn't think the book was divided well. The first part was too long to feel like an introduction, but too short to feel like an equal part of the book. The ends of both parts of the story veered over an edge into melodrama. The characters aren't very nuanced - they're either extremely sympathetic or not-even-slightly sympathetic, and come very close to falling into stereotypes (the whore with a heart of gold, the bitter shrew, the stolid frontiersman, &c).
Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I don't feel that it's one of Chevalier's best.
Many thanks to Viking and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinion is solely my own.
February 23, 2016
In her latest novel, Tracy Chevalier returns to Ohio, the setting of The Last Runaway, except this story is not about quilts but trees, from the humble apple tree to the majestic sequoia.
The story begins in 1838, with Sadie and James Goodenough literally stuck in the mud in the Black Swamp, Ohio where they hope to stake their claim by growing an apple orchard. It is a truly bleak, inhospitable environment with bitter winters and the summer swamp fever ruthlessly claiming so many lives year in year out.
James and Sadie are passionate pioneers but unfortunately their passions collide with devastating consequences – James with his devotion to his beloved sweet apples and Sadie with her lust for applejack, the strong liquor made from the inedible “spitter” apples.
As well as this desolate Ohioan setting, we experience the excitement and wonder of Gold Rush California when, Robert, the Goodenoughs’ youngest son heads West but don’t expect a sudden reversal of fortune for the Goodenough offspring! This is a story about family, sacrifice, determination and the need to set down roots. There aren’t a lot of laughs but then the pioneers didn’t have an easy time of it.
As in other Chevalier novels, there’s an impressive amount of research with the inclusion of real-life historical figures and wonderful attention to detail. The characters are flawed and not very likeable but all the more compelling as a result.
Yes, this is a grim tale but amid the doom and gloom there is the tiniest glimmer of hope – a sense that those sequoia seedlings might take root and begin anew.
My thanks to Penguin Viking and Net Galley for providing a digital copy of this novel for review purposes. -
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January 22, 2020
Relatively simple story – designed at exposing the truth between the myths in the American frontier dream such as in “The Little House on the Prairie”.
The Goodenough family are a poor family of settlers struggling to maintain a small holding on a Black Swamp in Ohio – the bipolar father obsessed with apples (from his families East Coast farm) and the alcoholic mother obsessed with cider and apple spirits and fighting a long running family civil war over the mix between “eaters” and (cider-making) “spitters”, while John Chapman (the folk legend Johnny Appleseed) visits from time to time with his mix of vegetarianism, simple religion and commercial apple seed selling.
The book then moves forward to Robert – the oldest soon, who after fleeing home quickly (a period he tries but fails to blank out) writes a series of letters to his family over many years as he first becomes a gold miner and then works for a botanical agent – falling in love with Sequoia’s and seeing the start of the Californian tourist industry. He is then visited very unexpectedly by his sister Martha – and via a series of letters she sent him and then a flashback we find out what happened after he fled.
An odd and fairly unsatisfying book – Chevalier has clearly done copious research into both apples and giant trees, and many of the characters and settings in the book are real.
With a more interesting subject the combination of fictional history can work well – here due to the oddness (and very specialist interest) of the factual topic it simply adds the common failing of many non-fiction books (the author is more interested in the topic than the reader) to a pretty uninvolving fictional plot.
The Goodenough family are a poor family of settlers struggling to maintain a small holding on a Black Swamp in Ohio – the bipolar father obsessed with apples (from his families East Coast farm) and the alcoholic mother obsessed with cider and apple spirits and fighting a long running family civil war over the mix between “eaters” and (cider-making) “spitters”, while John Chapman (the folk legend Johnny Appleseed) visits from time to time with his mix of vegetarianism, simple religion and commercial apple seed selling.
The book then moves forward to Robert – the oldest soon, who after fleeing home quickly (a period he tries but fails to blank out) writes a series of letters to his family over many years as he first becomes a gold miner and then works for a botanical agent – falling in love with Sequoia’s and seeing the start of the Californian tourist industry. He is then visited very unexpectedly by his sister Martha – and via a series of letters she sent him and then a flashback we find out what happened after he fled.
An odd and fairly unsatisfying book – Chevalier has clearly done copious research into both apples and giant trees, and many of the characters and settings in the book are real.
With a more interesting subject the combination of fictional history can work well – here due to the oddness (and very specialist interest) of the factual topic it simply adds the common failing of many non-fiction books (the author is more interested in the topic than the reader) to a pretty uninvolving fictional plot.
October 7, 2023
I love Tracy Chevalier. I have read every one of her 8 books.
While this is not my favorite, I still enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, it started slow, at least for me.
But then I got to page 157 and things really started to make sense. The rest of the book was worth a 5 at least.
This book provided what I love most about historical fiction: factual people and events. Tracy spent lots of time researching and learning her subject matter. Just look at how many books are mentioned in the Acknowledgements!!
When I read the Acknowledgements, I found that Lobb and Veitch are real people and that there are real places and events that took place in California and England. Of course, I knew that John Chapman was real.
I will leave you to read the book and hope that you can find things to love about it too..
Also, if anyone has ever had a Pitmaston Pineapple apple!!, please let me know.
While this is not my favorite, I still enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, it started slow, at least for me.
But then I got to page 157 and things really started to make sense. The rest of the book was worth a 5 at least.
This book provided what I love most about historical fiction: factual people and events. Tracy spent lots of time researching and learning her subject matter. Just look at how many books are mentioned in the Acknowledgements!!
When I read the Acknowledgements, I found that Lobb and Veitch are real people and that there are real places and events that took place in California and England. Of course, I knew that John Chapman was real.
I will leave you to read the book and hope that you can find things to love about it too..
Also, if anyone has ever had a Pitmaston Pineapple apple!!, please let me know.
June 12, 2016
This book was not one of my favorites. I've read two other books by this author (Girl With a Pearl Earring and Remarkable Creatures) and really liked them.
This book was depressing because of the dysfunction that was rampant throughout. I don't usually slash the stars for that, but it felt like a 'shock and awe' campaign. I like for there to be some underlying message or understanding or some thing along those lines. I want it to mean something, but I couldn't feel any of that. It was just there. I knew I should feel something other than "ewwww", but I didn't. I liked the author's writing though. So I will add an extra star for that.
This book was depressing because of the dysfunction that was rampant throughout. I don't usually slash the stars for that, but it felt like a 'shock and awe' campaign. I like for there to be some underlying message or understanding or some thing along those lines. I want it to mean something, but I couldn't feel any of that. It was just there. I knew I should feel something other than "ewwww", but I didn't. I liked the author's writing though. So I will add an extra star for that.
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