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Reading Group Guide...
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Orchardist: Discussion
A small group--only five of us--were there to talk about this well-liked book. One member called it a fairy tale. And it does have those elements. Two wandering orphans lost in the woods. A fairy godmother--the midwife herbalist. A lonely grandfatherly figure a la Gepetto. And a crueler than cruel evil villain.
What it doesn't have are the fairy tale resolutions. There is no Prince Charming to wake up the sleeping beauties. (Although some characters attempt a princely, but hare-brained rescue.) The most evil character doesn't die through the cleverness of a Princess. The Grandfather doesn't transform himself in order to save the young. Disappointing, however, as one member put it--we would have criticized the book mercilessly if it had a happily ever after ending.
And so the book leaves you with unresolved questions but with an appreciation for the simple life that followed the rhythms of the seasons--that was once upon a time.
What it doesn't have are the fairy tale resolutions. There is no Prince Charming to wake up the sleeping beauties. (Although some characters attempt a princely, but hare-brained rescue.) The most evil character doesn't die through the cleverness of a Princess. The Grandfather doesn't transform himself in order to save the young. Disappointing, however, as one member put it--we would have criticized the book mercilessly if it had a happily ever after ending.
And so the book leaves you with unresolved questions but with an appreciation for the simple life that followed the rhythms of the seasons--that was once upon a time.
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