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Plum Orchard
"Following on the heels of her critically acclaimed Almost to Eden, 2011 Georgia Author of the Year June Hall McCash once again delivers a story of hope and renewal with Plum Orchard. The saga is set on Cumberland Island during plantation-era Georgia and centers around a remarkable woman known as Elisabeth Bernardey. Zabette, as she is called, was born the illegitimate daughter of a planter and a slave and was raised as the planter's daughter, so she finds herself neither completely free nor totally in bondage. Plum Orchard chronicles her journey through the Antebellum South as she strives to live in two worlds while belonging totally to neither. This epic tale spans a large portion of the nineteenth century and is a narrative that explores both the darkness that was slavery and the light that lives within the human heart." -Raymond L. Atkins, award-winning author of The Front Porch Prophet and Sorrow Wood
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 15, 2021
Excellent historical-fiction only available in English. I lost sleep because I could not stop reading.
September 4, 2024
I’m such a sucker for historical fiction in mostly any shape or form. This was a beauty about a mulatto woman, Zabette, born of a black slave and white plantation owner in the pre civil war south. We follow her life as she is brought up in the finery of the big house and educated, then later, taken in to be the “wife” of another white plantation owner, however illegal. They have many children but being of slave birth, husband sends the family north to be educated and protected.
Where will the Civil War take them? We follow each child and Zabette through all of the trials and tribulations of being mixed race during a difficult time. Intriguing.
Where will the Civil War take them? We follow each child and Zabette through all of the trials and tribulations of being mixed race during a difficult time. Intriguing.
August 29, 2024
I was excited to read Plum Orchard because I enjoy historical fiction as well as Georgia's barrier islands. Having traveled many times to Jekyll Island, I felt the book did a wonderful job describing the landscape of the vast ecosystems along the Georgia coast that are still the same today in many parts. Zabette's story was heartbreaking, I found myself hoping the story would change and her perseverance would allow her to fully embrace her freedom at some point. She never being able to be a part of any community was such a sad turn. The sacrifices that she made in the story to make life a bit better for everyone around her, whether building the hospital, sharing her good fortunes or helping out because it was the right thing to do was truly heartwarming. However, at every turn doing the right thing landed her in such peculiar and isolating positions. I enjoyed the book and felt the historical facts of the day were written as well as could be researched. I am not sure that I would pick this up to recommend as a must read.
April 22, 2022
Plum Orchard was a very interesting read, bringing fictional life to events that actually happened to a half white, half black woman born on a slave plantation off the coast of Georgia. I'm glad I read the book, although the conditions of slavery made me sad and angry most of the way through (as they should). Zabette is treated extremely well for being a slave, but at the end of the day she is still a slave and unable to choose anything for herself and still forced to do things she doesn't want to.
In addition, the story was an enlightening look into the lives of the women of that time period, slave and free alike. I enjoyed learning from it and walking through major events of the early to mid-1800s.
At times I felt like the story did not flow smoothly, and there were some spelling errors. But, for me, it was still worth the read.
In addition, the story was an enlightening look into the lives of the women of that time period, slave and free alike. I enjoyed learning from it and walking through major events of the early to mid-1800s.
At times I felt like the story did not flow smoothly, and there were some spelling errors. But, for me, it was still worth the read.
January 1, 2022
Simply Beautiful
It's unusual for a book to bring me to tears. This story brought me to tears several times as the pages turned. The story is a love story. The love of a woman for her family and home. It's a history lesson about the South and also Cumberland Island. From one generation to the next the strength of the people who's story is told never waivers. This is a treat to read.
It's unusual for a book to bring me to tears. This story brought me to tears several times as the pages turned. The story is a love story. The love of a woman for her family and home. It's a history lesson about the South and also Cumberland Island. From one generation to the next the strength of the people who's story is told never waivers. This is a treat to read.
November 11, 2025
I picked this book up at a bookstore in St. Mary's after visiting Cumberland Island. I'm glad i did. I will sit with this book for a long time, especially how things are now in this country. I was drawn to Zabette. I'm glad to have learned so much, and it was easy to imagine the scenery of the island, after our visit to cumberland Island. the book is worth reading. a lot to open one's eyes. I don't want to spoil any part of Zabette's life.
March 9, 2020
Fabulous read that held personal interest for me, since I am a direct descendant of the Bernardey family, through Catherine and Margaret.
McCash made excellent use of impeccable research and a vivid imagination. Her consistency with the language an use of dialect throughout was impressive. I highly recommend this satisfying read!
McCash made excellent use of impeccable research and a vivid imagination. Her consistency with the language an use of dialect throughout was impressive. I highly recommend this satisfying read!
May 30, 2025
Good memories
Loved this story of Cumberland as I grew up there in Brunswick and St Simons and enjoyed many trips to the island, including when Secretary Udahl declared it a National Seashore. Dungeness was spooky, even more so after it burned. The horses were beautiful but intimidating! Plum Orchard was beautiful and I enjoyed learning its history.
Loved this story of Cumberland as I grew up there in Brunswick and St Simons and enjoyed many trips to the island, including when Secretary Udahl declared it a National Seashore. Dungeness was spooky, even more so after it burned. The horses were beautiful but intimidating! Plum Orchard was beautiful and I enjoyed learning its history.
July 21, 2017
Book Club Selection. Entertaining and well written. Enjoyed reading it.
June 2, 2021
Great book. Cumberland Island
June 16, 2021
Entertaining while historically enlightening.
September 22, 2022
Great story! Sad but true story of slaves on Cumberland Island .
January 3, 2024
Thoughtful look into life, family and historical context of an interesting region
February 9, 2024
This was a sad book to read as the topic is very sad. The imagery of Cumberland island is wonderful.
September 11, 2024
Excellent character development.
riveting plot
Heartwarming and heartbreaking
riveting plot
Heartwarming and heartbreaking
July 13, 2025
Loved this beautiful story. The characters were so real and the story of zabette was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved it so much and couldn’t put it down.
January 14, 2016
Plum Orchard, June Hall McCash’s second novel, is Page Turners’ selection this month. Because we are Georgia-based, we especially enjoy books that tell the history of our state. Set in the antebellum era on Cumberland Island, this novel is built on historic figures and events. The author is quick to say that it is a work of fiction, but her narrative rings true. It is a fascinating and page-turning account of Zabette Bernardey, a woman neither slave nor free. I am looking forward to our discussion tonight — there are so many things to discuss. Have you read Plum Orchard? What did you think?
Zabette’s story begins and ends on Cumberland Island. Born the daughter of a white plantation owner and his mulatto slave, Zabette is raised as a white girl by her French grandmother. Given advantages unknown to other children of slave/master unions, she lives in a world somewhere between the races. Treated with respect but distance by the slaves and with disdain and indifference by the white planters, Zabette’s life is dictated by the culture and laws of Georgia and by the need to hide her true identity. It is a story full of the bitter and the sweet.
McCash takes historical figures and adds very realistic motives and emotions. Most of the characters did indeed exist. Her research is meticulous, creating a book that transports the reader back in time. She captures the essence of island life for both blacks and whites during the early 18th century. The novel never glorifies the plantation system, yet it doesn’t demonize it either. Characters are dealt with an even hand, yet injustices and contradictions are exposed. One of the more sympathetic white characters believes she protects and provides for her people. And, in the context of the time, she does. But she never considers that owning a human could possibly be wrong. Zabette spent the years leading up to the Civil War in Groton, Connecticut where she lived in relative, if not actual freedom. Yet, her place was still dictated by the color of her skin. It is interesting that her children, who had limited contact with their father and were raised exclusively by their mother, chose to turn their backs on their creole roots, choosing to blend into white society.
I loved Plum Orchard, a story of the South told from a unique perspective. Please note that this book was published for the general market and does contain some adult situations and profanity.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
Great for book clubs.
Zabette’s story begins and ends on Cumberland Island. Born the daughter of a white plantation owner and his mulatto slave, Zabette is raised as a white girl by her French grandmother. Given advantages unknown to other children of slave/master unions, she lives in a world somewhere between the races. Treated with respect but distance by the slaves and with disdain and indifference by the white planters, Zabette’s life is dictated by the culture and laws of Georgia and by the need to hide her true identity. It is a story full of the bitter and the sweet.
McCash takes historical figures and adds very realistic motives and emotions. Most of the characters did indeed exist. Her research is meticulous, creating a book that transports the reader back in time. She captures the essence of island life for both blacks and whites during the early 18th century. The novel never glorifies the plantation system, yet it doesn’t demonize it either. Characters are dealt with an even hand, yet injustices and contradictions are exposed. One of the more sympathetic white characters believes she protects and provides for her people. And, in the context of the time, she does. But she never considers that owning a human could possibly be wrong. Zabette spent the years leading up to the Civil War in Groton, Connecticut where she lived in relative, if not actual freedom. Yet, her place was still dictated by the color of her skin. It is interesting that her children, who had limited contact with their father and were raised exclusively by their mother, chose to turn their backs on their creole roots, choosing to blend into white society.
I loved Plum Orchard, a story of the South told from a unique perspective. Please note that this book was published for the general market and does contain some adult situations and profanity.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
Great for book clubs.
June 6, 2023
I never would have found this book on my own, but my father-in-law brought it to me after it being recommended to him by a tour guide in Jekyll Island, Georgia. My overall thoughts on this book are that it’s just sad from start to finish. While many of the details are fictional, my understanding is the main characters and the general story line are true. This isn’t really a book to enjoy, but more of one to reflect and appreciate what enslaved people, especially women ensured.
What I liked:
•The writing style is beautiful & truly helps you picture the surroundings
•Learning more about what life might have looked like for an enslaved person who was an illegitimate child of a plantation owner
•The author including moments of joy the characters experienced & not solely focusing on their trauma
What I didn’t like:
•Reading about enslaved people is never going to be light & I feel like while this story touches on some terrible truths, it’s still not a full representation - some things seemed glossed over
Read if you like: your historical fiction to be really sad and well researched, books you buy in the gift shops of historical sites.
What I liked:
•The writing style is beautiful & truly helps you picture the surroundings
•Learning more about what life might have looked like for an enslaved person who was an illegitimate child of a plantation owner
•The author including moments of joy the characters experienced & not solely focusing on their trauma
What I didn’t like:
•Reading about enslaved people is never going to be light & I feel like while this story touches on some terrible truths, it’s still not a full representation - some things seemed glossed over
Read if you like: your historical fiction to be really sad and well researched, books you buy in the gift shops of historical sites.
March 9, 2019
Plum Orchard was a very interesting read, bringing fictional life to events that actually happened to a half white, half black woman born on a slave plantation off the coast of Georgia. I'm glad I read the book, although the conditions of slavery made me sad and angry most of the way through (as they should). Zabette is treated extremely well for being a slave, but at the end of the day she is still a slave and unable to choose anything for herself and still forced to do things she doesn't want to.
In addition, the story was an enlightening look into the lives of the women of that time period, slave and free alike. I enjoyed learning from it and walking through major events of the early to mid-1800s.
At times I felt like the story did not flow smoothly, and there were some spelling errors. But, for me, it was still worth the read.
In addition, the story was an enlightening look into the lives of the women of that time period, slave and free alike. I enjoyed learning from it and walking through major events of the early to mid-1800s.
At times I felt like the story did not flow smoothly, and there were some spelling errors. But, for me, it was still worth the read.
December 25, 2016
Since I'd recently visited Cumberland Island, I was excited to begin this book. What a treat to read about the places I've visited. The story, although fictional, dealt with real individuals and real places. It also dealt with real struggles and situations far beyond the usual ones we so often read about in pre-Civil War era books. The author developed her characters wonderfully. She exposed flaws and fears, but she never downplayed the decency of the characters. A very good read for anyone who loves the South, historical fiction, or just a darn fine book.
January 10, 2013
It was recommended by the bookstore owner who was a personal friend of John Grisham while visiting Amelia Island. It is set on the beautiful and historical island of Cumberland. It is historical fiction that tracts very close to the actual history of the island pre-civil war. The author's descriptions are vivid and made you feel like you were actually on the island.
June 28, 2014
Very good historical fiction about plantation life and civil war. Much of the story is based on lives of actual people and very interesting story--especially Zabette's story. Loved it and didn't want it to end.
January 28, 2015
CAUSE FOR REFLECTION
A wonderful descriptive historical novel that sets the scene to understand what life was like during the era of slavery. The characters easily become the real people they were. This is a perfect read before or after a trip to CUMBERLAND Island.
A wonderful descriptive historical novel that sets the scene to understand what life was like during the era of slavery. The characters easily become the real people they were. This is a perfect read before or after a trip to CUMBERLAND Island.
September 9, 2015
Good historical novel. I plan to visit Cumberland Island next month and the novel takes place there before and just after the civil war. reading this will help me picture the island as it was in those times.
July 18, 2013
I found this book very entertaining. Since much of the story was based on facts it really brought the history of the Cumberland Island to life.
October 12, 2013
Excellent historical fiction...loved the main female character, Zabette.
November 30, 2013
A very captivating book based on the early history of Cumberland Island. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
April 4, 2014
Loved it because of recent visit to Cumberland Island. Not necessarily a historical fiction buff.
December 4, 2014
I had just visited the area where this story takes place , so it was especially interesting to me.
March 11, 2015
Great read And loved the authors note at the end on the historical facts of the book. Looking forward to her book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews