The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
maziodynes's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book isn't be for everyone. But it was definitely for me.
When I picked first picked this up, in 2012, I was a camp counselor working in Washington going through her Litfic/John Steinbeck phase. I never got around to reading it while being busy at school. I gave it away in a move.
But I saw the ebook on sale recently, and something about the premise drew me in again. And now I'm so glad I finally read this book, after its longest possible TBR tenure.Â
The Orchardist is wonderful. It can be slow paced at times, but it's so immersive and vivid, it feels like a visceral work of art. If you grew up in Washington state (all of it, western, central, and eastern) there's a joy in seeing the areas familiar to you described so lovingly. I didn't know a ton of the nuance about this time period (late 1800s - early 1900s) but this was a really interesting look into the daily lives and hardships of folks from that time.Â
The characters were wonderfully fleshed out and flawed throughout. I appreciate when an author allows characters to be damaged and make mistake after mistake - it's tragic, but also in line with their motivations and experiences. Talmadge in particular was just an absolute joy, but Della and Angelene are also incredible. The setting is also so alive, it feels like as much of a character as the people, which is rare.Â
Definitely a 5 star read for me!!
When I picked first picked this up, in 2012, I was a camp counselor working in Washington going through her Litfic/John Steinbeck phase. I never got around to reading it while being busy at school. I gave it away in a move.
But I saw the ebook on sale recently, and something about the premise drew me in again. And now I'm so glad I finally read this book, after its longest possible TBR tenure.Â
The Orchardist is wonderful. It can be slow paced at times, but it's so immersive and vivid, it feels like a visceral work of art. If you grew up in Washington state (all of it, western, central, and eastern) there's a joy in seeing the areas familiar to you described so lovingly. I didn't know a ton of the nuance about this time period (late 1800s - early 1900s) but this was a really interesting look into the daily lives and hardships of folks from that time.Â
The characters were wonderfully fleshed out and flawed throughout. I appreciate when an author allows characters to be damaged and make mistake after mistake - it's tragic, but also in line with their motivations and experiences. Talmadge in particular was just an absolute joy, but Della and Angelene are also incredible. The setting is also so alive, it feels like as much of a character as the people, which is rare.Â
Definitely a 5 star read for me!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Child death, Animal death, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual assault, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Alcohol, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence
overthinkereading's review against another edition
The writing is incredibly beautiful and evocative. But the plot was trauma after trauma with very little payoff for the characters. I had to shelve this one for my own emotional well being.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Pedophilia, Blood, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Suicide, Trafficking, and Medical content
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Alcohol, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
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