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.