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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin

To lose your mother and then your sister in an already lonely, abandoned land made Talmadge the person he was.  He had his orchards and his kindness to keep him going.

Talmadge lived alone in his family home that really had no family except Talmadge until one day two girls, Jane and Della, arrived on his land and began stealing his fruit.  Talmadge let them steal the fruit, and he also fed them.  They stayed away from him for the most part and only made an appearance when he put food out for them.  Both girls were pregnant, and Talmadge had the midwife stop by to try to get the girls to warm up to her since they would be needing her.

These girls became his family or the best semblance of what a family could be. The book follows Talmadge through the stages of the girls' lives and how their being present in his life helped him be happy as well as allow him to experience the heartache of their growing up and his being a concerned parent.  His concern for Della became an obsession. 

As you continue reading, you will become completely involved in the plot and the lives of each character.  You will become attached to Talmadge, Della, Caroline, and Angelene and  hope things turn out for all of them.  Talmadge was an odd person and one you would like to tell to wake up even though he was such a good person.  Caroline was the character who held everyone togetherDella was not a likable character.  And wonderful Angelene was adorable, kind, and a character you will fall in love with.

The book had marvelous descriptions of feelings, landscapes, and characters.  It was beautifully written for a first novel.  It was as outstanding in writing style, interest, and development of the story and characters as a seasoned author.
I can't give enough praise for this book.  It was touching, tender, brilliantly written, mesmerizing, and one you will remember long after you turn the last page.  

THE ORCHARDIST is not an uplifting book but the prose and the storyline are so exceptional that regardless of the book's mood it instantly grips you.  5/5

This book was given to be free of charge by the publisher without compensation for a blog tour with TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.


10 comments:

  1. Your review lines up with most I've read for this novel. It sounds really good.

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  2. I have this on audio and started it but the narrator just wasn't working for me and I found my mind wandering. I think I need to try it in print.

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  3. It was fabulous as you can tell from my review.

    I hope you get to enjoy the read.

    THANKS for stopping by everyone.

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  4. Thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming a new follower! I agree that while it was often a sad story it was a beautifully written one as well.

    I've been perusing your blog and am going to HAVE to check out The Island House. It sounds like something I'd love. Have you read any Susanna Kearsley books? I read The Winter Sea and The Island House reminds me of that type of story.

    I also got totally hooked by The Secret Keeper. Wasn't that an awesome book - and the ending!! Yeep! I've read one of her books before but have a couple unread ones on my shelf I need to get to.

    Ok enough of me blabbing. I'm adding you to my Bloglovin' reader too. Cheers! Amanda

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  5. Hi Elizabeth,

    What a perceptive and well thought through review, you have definitely sold me on the book.

    I guess that Talmadge is quite the loner and introvert, given his solitary existence, however I did check out the full synopsis and I am intrigued by the arrival of men with guns and just exactly what Talmadge has to reconcile from his past ... you didn't give anything away there!!!

    I don't really mind if a story is uplifting or not, I think that sometimes the harsh realities of everyday life need to be told with all the brutal honesty the situation demands. So long as the book is well written, well edited and the story flows, that's good enough for me.

    This sounds like an excellent debut novel and I hope that Amanda is busy formulating her ideas for the next book!

    Yvonne

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  6. It sounds like it's one you would have to be in the mood for.
    Ann

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  7. I was really drawn in by the feel of this book ... not sure what it was, but it was amazing.

    Thanks for being on the tour!

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  8. I'm going to add this to my TBR list. Thank you for the review.

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  9. Part of me wants to pick up this book and part of me doesn't. I think it would make a good book club read, no?

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  10. I loved this book too! Talmadge is such an unforgettable character. I'm a new follower as well.

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