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Sep 25, 2016
The Edge of the Orchard, by Tracy Chevalier, is the story of a family desperately coping with the hardships of pioneer life in mid 1800's Ohio. The author, who is best known for her novel Girl with the Pearl Earring, depicts the time period and setting with well researched, beautifully descriptive detail. She portrays her well developed characters and their dire situation without whitewash, leaving readers to mourn a broken family but later celebrate a new generation. The Edge of the Orchard is a serious and sombre look at pioneer life which would appeal to those who enjoy literary / historical fiction. It would especially appeal to those with an interest in botany. The author has gone to great lengths to research the trees and plants native to California.