The Orchardist (original 2012; edition 2012)

Talmadge has lived a very quiet, solitary life until the day two young girls show up at his orchard. They are almost feral, and he soon realizes that the two very young girls are pregnant and need his help. They won't come near him, so he leaves food out for them. He helps them as well as he can, trying to bring them into his fold and offter them some type of security. Still sleeping outside but accepting his food, all is going pretty well until that fateful day when Michaelson, their tormentor, comes. ( )

I've traveled in this area and enjoyed the descriptions and mood of the area.
And since we now live primarily in an area dominated by apple and other fruit orchards, it had interest to me.
Don't read if you're currently depressed or discouraged by news, life, circumstances.
Seems there's always good to be found in the extremely difficult circumstances described in fiction, but sometimes this book required dealing with too much constant misery.
I don't suggest you avoid the book - just not my favorite.
Many have been touched by this writing, I closed the book and said . . .pheww.....
( )

One of the best books I've ever read. The writing is beautiful and arresting. The characters have thoughts that surprise us, that are real and understandable from what we know about them, but never predictable. What a wonderful book! ( )

A wonderful, atmospheric and quiet novel set in the Pacific northwest. The premise was intriguing but what I enjoyed most about the novel was the internal conflict, drama and reflections about the individual characters and how it colours their interactions with each other. You could read my full review of the novel on my blog (may contain minor spoilers): http://www.rulethewaves.net/blog/?p=5681 ( )

This book was wonderful! Once I started reading it, I was completely drawn into the world of William Talmadge, who finds safety and peace in his solitary existence. He tends his orchard alone, with vey little social interaction. He is a simple and very honorable man, and when he finds two pregnant girls hiding in his orchard, he takes them in. Shelter is a big theme in this book , for Talmadge as well as the girls, Jane and Della. The author takes you slowly through her story, especially the beginning. Descriptions of the orchard, of Talmadge’s solitude, and the unraveling of the ordeal the two girls lived through, were mesmerizing. The story grows in intensity and consequences as it progresses. The beginning of the story was especially compelling and I loved the author’s poetic descriptions of the wild, early 20th century Pacific Northwest, as well as the historic details of the period. I would definitely recommend this book- let me know how you liked it! ( )