Book description
The Orchard is an exquisitely beautiful and poignant memoir of a young woman's single-handed struggle to save her New England farm in the depths of the Great Depression. Recently discovered by the author's daughter, it tells the story of Adele "Kitty" Robertson, young and energetic, but unprepared by her Radcliffe…
Why read it?
2 authors picked The Orchard as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
The Orchard is a mesmerizing story of one woman’s efforts to save her family farm in Depression-era Massachusetts. It is a glimmering and moving memoir of “Kitty” Robertson’s determination to save the small orchard she inherited from her father, the last thing that linked her family to their history. It is a story of struggle and determination, and she is a heroine who didn’t receive medals or accolades or fortune for accepting the bone-cold physical labor in winters, inherited debt, broken dreams. Somehow she is able to still see the beauty in the grit of farm life in a grim…
From Deirdre's list on The best books about wine, love, and landscape.
Chancing upon this book, a posthumous memoir of a single woman trying to save her family’s New England apple orchard during the Depression, was like tripping across a new, totally unexpected variety of apple. After her father dies, Robertson, a young Radcliff graduate who doesn’t know which end of the apple is up, returns home to find a badly neglected farm, ancient farming equipment, and some of the worst weather in a generation. With the support of her Great Dane and some remarkable strangers, she sets out to save the orchard (and herself) from ruin. Discovered by the author’s daughter…
From William's list on The best books on a gardening life.
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