The Orchardist

By: Amanda Coplin

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

At the turn of the 20th century, in a rural stretch of the Pacific Northwest, a reclusive orchardist, William Talmadge, tends to apples and apricots as if they were loved ones. A gentle man, he's found solace in the sweetness of the fruit he grows and the quiet, beating heart of the land he cultivates. One day, two teenage girls appear and steal his fruit from the market; they later return to the outskirts of his orchard to see the man who gave them no chase. Feral, scared, and very pregnant, the girls take up on Talmadge's land and indulge in his deep reservoir of compassion.

Just as the girls begin to trust him, men arrive in the orchard with guns, and the shattering tragedy that follows will set Talmadge on an irrevocable course not only to save and protect but also to reconcile the ghosts of his own troubled past.

Transcribing America as it once was before railways and roads connected its corners, Amanda Coplin weaves a tapestry of solitary souls who come together in the wake of unspeakable cruelty and misfortune. She writes with breathtaking precision and empathy, and in The Orchardist she crafts an astonishing debut novel about a man who disrupts the lonely harmony of an ordered life when he opens his heart and lets the world in.

©2012 Amanda Coplin (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

Sad when it ended !!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone. The rich narrative, character development make you ache for these people.

What about Mark Bramhall’s performance did you like?

His tone reflects the hesitance and awkwardness of the main male character, I could feel the loneliness and longing in Talmedge. Shows the greatest love possible in the human heart that goes beyond sexual feelings.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Probably where he goes to visit Della in jail and she again rejects his help.

Any additional comments?

Just shows the human heart's unrelenting search to protect and love even when it is rejected and pushed away. Made me understand that a person's life might not be about their own fulfillment but a gift gladly given to those they leave behind.

Great story, wonderfully drawn characters.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it's got good pace, you enjoy and empathize with the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Orchardist?

there were several and I would hate to give away the story by explaining them.

What does Mark Bramhall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His pace of reading is perfect for the story, he gets totally involved. I loved his voices, he had given the characters lots of thought.

If you could rename The Orchardist, what would you call it?

The name is perfect.

Any additional comments?

This was a wondeful story and I couldn't wait to keep picking it up.. it makes my walks amazing no matter the weather.

slow to start but worth the effort

the story is long and slow to start. there are story lines that you don't get a resolution for, but in life you don't always know what happens to someone.

very good read

If you like reading about other cultures and different perspectives on life then this is a book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator and story.

Too sad

I know that is too simplistic an evaluation but that was how this story made me feel. So many sad events, that affected so many people for their whole lives. It was well written and performed but I couldn't listen to it a second time.

For deep thinkers who enjoy a sloooow pace

I did enjoy this book. It is haunting and thought provoking and on the tragic side. But also very moving and especially enjoyable since I live in Washington State. It does make one think about the definition of "family", and of "loyalty", and also how we judge others whom we know nothing about. There were several times that I thought, "I think I would have preferred the abridged version", and I NEVER want the abridged version. It is on the slow side and there were times I was thinking, "just get on with it already...how long is this scene going to be drawn out?". And I'm sure it was the author's intent to draw it out. At one point, it felt like there was a bit of a build up and I was expecting some big secrets to be revealed at the end...but that didn't happen. An interesting story, but not for everyone - especially if you want fast pace, action, or to be uplifted

Excellent book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was an excellent story. It definitely wasn't a shoot em up or action book. However, if you're looking for an interesting story about a fractured family, this is your book. It's beautifully written, and skillfully read. I loved it. I've read some of the reviews who felt the book needed editing. I totally disagree. It was a lazy tale with beautiful descriptions, and I felt like I knew and sympathized with each character.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Orchardist?

When one of the major character's died.

Any additional comments?

The reader did an absolutely amazing job.

greatest read

this is a quality read. fascinating characters, interesting and riveting plot progression. superior details. great narration

Even better the second time

One of the best books I’ve read. I’m so glad I decided to listen to it again! It’s been a few years and although I remembered the bones of the story, I had forgotten about the beautiful prose.

It’s such a special story, very poignant and perfectly read by the narrator.

Read or listen to it twice, you won’t regret it.

Tedious and depressing

What did you like best about The Orchardist? What did you like least?

The book is well written with many wonderful images. But oh dear, the longer I listened, the more depressing I found it. There was no resolution to any of the individual lonlinesses or unhappinesses. It remained troubling and unsatisfiying, the ending simply deeply
sad, dwindling away to nothing.