The Orchard: A Memoir Audiobook

" After the first four vivid and disturbing pages, the book levels off as the characters fall into a mostly predictable patterns of troubled woman meets unsuitable man. In this case, the man is obsessed with his family's farm and the pursuit of a perfect apple. The dark thread of pesticide dependence begun in the beginning pages continues through the end as human consequences unfold. There was enough originality to keep my curiousity engaged in this short, quick read. "

" I rarely give out five stars but this book deserved every single one. "

" I loved this book with all my heart and soul. Period. "

" What an amazing story! This was truly a beautiful story about learning to love not just your husband but the life with it! What an insiders perspective to living on a full production farm, and the price you pay being a farmer on this style of farm! "

" Excellent read. Relationships past and present have a lasting effect of those involved. An inside look at what is necessary to be a farmer for a family run apple orchard. I now know more about what is behind growing an apple and the trees that produce them year after year. "

" Good book. Difficult to read in light of the fact that I grew up surrounded by an apple orchard and the sprays my Dad used are no longer legal either. Some of the family dynamics were too close to home also. But well-written and fascinating. "

" Loved this book. Maggie marries Adrian, son of the matriarch of the Apple Farm. She is concerned about the pesticides and how the smell is on the clothes, and the particles float in the air. The Apple Farm history was amazing, the relationships and how the families evolve over time. "

" good...3.5 "

" Didn't finish. :/ "

" Really loved this book...it touched me. "

" The dialogue is GREAT!! The story is sad but told so very heartwarming and sincerely. Loved this book. "

" Impressive and thought provoking. Not a happy story, but an important one. "

" This is so depressing. I realize the whole "chemicals shouldn't mix with daily life" thing is bad and ugly and a problem, but Weir's life was ugly before she got that far. And I'm tired of reading memoirs of badly screwed-up people, no matter who or what did it to them. "

" Quick read, definitely sad but interesting; especially makes me question the produce we eat, as well as, environmental protection for consumers. "

" Hooked from the first chapter. "

" I re-read this book in print form after listening to the audio version and loved it all over again. This very personal yet universal story is artfully told. It is a poignant commentary on farming, motherhood, and relationships. "

" Memoir of the author's unconventional marriage to an apple farmer and the effects of the farm and all that goes with it on their lives. Interspersed with accounts of her difficult, nomadic childhood. Good pace. Reads like a novel more than a memoir really. I kept wondering if it was real. "

" Loved this book, beautiful read! "

" Just started this book but very good so far. "

" Evaluation: This story of hardship and suffering, and love and hope pretty much stole my heart. At the end of the book, I felt like I knew this family well, and my tears were not only for all that Teresa had lost, but also for all that she finally achieved. "

" I really enjoyed this book. The characters became people I knew and liked. I must say, though, I now have a different attitude towards apples. "

" I was lucky enough to hear Theresa Weir talk about the book before I read it. She has written many novels under a number of names - but this slim memoir which will stay with me. Love, marriage, farming and pesticides - I couldn't imagine how they would all fit in one life - reads like a novel. "

" A memoir and a very interesting story. "

" I really enjoyed this memoir and the writing. Very factual, not too sentimental and conveyed a lot of information with few words. "

" At the end of the day, Weir's life wasn't all that interesting. "

" I liked this book very much. "

" Author has had a lot of bad breaks throughout her life, but I never felt a connection with her or any of the other characters in the book. She has a lot of guts having been able to overcome her past, her bad choices and move ahead. "

" Just started this book but very good so far. "