The Orchardist

By: Amanda Coplin

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

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.

An Unsentimenal Look at the Power of Relationships

What made the experience of listening to The Orchardist the most enjoyable?

The lyrical way in which the author writes about the American West on the brink of modernity, on the brink of losing its agricultural way of life as the 20th century barrels toward the orchard.

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

The way Talmadge, a very solitary man, unfolds the hard layers of his personality and opens his long dormant heart to the possibility of forging new relationships with Della and Jane.

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

I think it would have to be his slow, deliberate voice. He was always steady, never getting carried away with the emotion of the language which really painted a very specific picture of the main character for me.

Any additional comments?

I fell in love with this book. The author's prose, her descriptions of the landscape and its people were so beautiful that I could fully imagine the orchard in my mind's eye. I liked the slow development of the plot as this really allows you to come to know the characters, to wonder about their motives, to form relationships with each of them. This book is meant to be savored rather than devoured as you contemplate Talmadge's quest to create "family" despite the trouble it invites into his life.

Superb. Well-crafted and beautifully written

Would you listen to The Orchardist again? Why?

yes-it is a book club choice and I would listen again just before the meeting. I enjoyed the Narrator’s voice a lot-it met the needs of the characters and then some.

What did you like best about this story?

the honesty of the characters-they were true to life with out being perfect or all bad

What about Mark Bramhall’s performance did you like?

the performance was outstanding-I would listen again just to hear the pitch perfect performance

Any additional comments?

The book was wonderful and I look forward to more from this author.

Holy smokes, I loved this book.

What an incredible story and a wonderful telling. I showed up every day at work crying from listening on the way in. A great listen.

The Voice

Would you listen to The Orchardist again? Why?

Yes, I will - just to experience a voice (Mark's) that matches the character so well!!!

Have you listened to any of Mark Bramhall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Any additional comments?

I usually enjoy 'reading' a book rather than listening, but my job requires long driving hours, so I have been 'listening' to books. This is one I am so thankful I 'listened' to instead of read. The voice of the narrator, Mark Bramhall, added such depth to the characters. WELL done!!! Love this book!!!

Warm, engaging. Hard to get my work done because I didn't want to stop listening.

I loved the narrator's voice and delivery, and he was perfect for this book. He reminded me of some old, wise, kind farmers I knew in Indiana, who didn't talk much, but lived generously and graciously, like the main character, Talmadge. The plight of the sisters who are featured in the book shows that some hurts may never go away, but God bless the people who try to give them comfort on their weary way.

Pure delight.

Sweetness and light. An honest story. Not what I hoped for but characters have an integrity that holds reader in thrall.

great read

What made the experience of listening to The Orchardist the most enjoyable?

this was a great story and well written.

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

the birth of Angeline

Which scene was your favorite?

Angeline coming back home after so many years and how she reflected on her life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried

Very dark and sad.

I can see the value of the story and appreciate the literary contribution, but I was so happy to finish it and move on to more rewarding reads. I would have liked more orchard and less roaming.

Depth of story

I like the character description and the kindness of Talmudge, Caroline and Angelique and Della as a victim of her circumstances.

Terrific!

Very moving story line & great narration. This’s my favorite book outta the 400 I own!