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The Disorder of Longing
When her husband arrives home carrying a crate of colorful orchids, Ada Caswell Pryce thinks he is bringing her a gift, a peace offering during an unhappy time in their marriage; little does she know how much these strange looking flowers are going to change her life.
By Boston standards of the 1890’s, Ada is not a good wife. Strong-willed and beautiful, she longs for the days at university when she was free to be herself. Her husband Edward is intent on curbing her wild behavior, but she thwarts him at every turn -- she drinks wine with the housekeepers, gives feminist books to her maid, and sneaks out for midnight horseback rides along the Charles River.
To treat Ada’s “hysteria,” Edward restricts her daily activities and her relationships, then carefully choreographs her sexuality. Unable to bear another day of her stultifying and demeaning existence, Ada secretly plots ways to leave. Ultimately, it is her husband’s all-consuming passion for collecting rare orchids that provides Ada with a daring opportunity for escape.
Once free, Ada’s lust for adventure takes her through the dangerous slums of New York, across the high seas of the Atlantic, and finally deep into the lush jungles of Brazil.
By Boston standards of the 1890’s, Ada is not a good wife. Strong-willed and beautiful, she longs for the days at university when she was free to be herself. Her husband Edward is intent on curbing her wild behavior, but she thwarts him at every turn -- she drinks wine with the housekeepers, gives feminist books to her maid, and sneaks out for midnight horseback rides along the Charles River.
To treat Ada’s “hysteria,” Edward restricts her daily activities and her relationships, then carefully choreographs her sexuality. Unable to bear another day of her stultifying and demeaning existence, Ada secretly plots ways to leave. Ultimately, it is her husband’s all-consuming passion for collecting rare orchids that provides Ada with a daring opportunity for escape.
Once free, Ada’s lust for adventure takes her through the dangerous slums of New York, across the high seas of the Atlantic, and finally deep into the lush jungles of Brazil.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Natasha Bauman
1 book6 followersDesire for rare orchids inspires the dangerous obsessions of a young wife and her repressive husband in Victorian-era Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 1, 2021
This is a book that’s essentially about sex. And orchids.
Ada spends a lot of time thinking about sex. Sex that she’s had. Sex that she wants. Why she wants sex. You get the picture.
This is unfortunate since the era this book is set in, particularly in high society Boston, isn’t conducive to women having their own lives and ideas, let alone an openly fulfilling sex life.
That’s Ada’s predicament. She comes up with a unique way to escape her boring life. Literally.
It’s a fun read. You’re firmly on Team Ada the whole time, little nymph that she is…
Ada spends a lot of time thinking about sex. Sex that she’s had. Sex that she wants. Why she wants sex. You get the picture.
This is unfortunate since the era this book is set in, particularly in high society Boston, isn’t conducive to women having their own lives and ideas, let alone an openly fulfilling sex life.
That’s Ada’s predicament. She comes up with a unique way to escape her boring life. Literally.
It’s a fun read. You’re firmly on Team Ada the whole time, little nymph that she is…
November 2, 2010
An exquisitely written book, full of longing and despair -an apt description of most highly situated Victorian women. Truly a must-read.
March 21, 2011
This is a novel about sex. Well, orgasm, really. The female orgasm, and that as it was viewed in the heyday of late Victorian extremism. The plot unfurls in Boston, where the protagonist, Ada, marries wealthy Edward Pryce after being one of a handful of women allowed to attend and graduate from Boston University, where she is peripherally involved with feminist ideology and attends meetings with the Blackwell Sisters. Ada’s mother, a Boston Brahmin (unusually spelled throughout the novel for some reason as “Brahman”), simply didn’t want an overeducated spinster daughter underfoot for the rest of her life. Interested in sex and Shakespeare (in that order), Ada opts for marriage. (What, after all, could she do with Shakespeare?)
The marriage thrives for a year or so until Edward’s interests are captured by two things – a book entitled Karezza:Ethics of Marriage by Alice Bunker Stockham (originally published in 1903, the book and tantric sexual method it espouses are real and still available, in which married couples are urged to engage in sexual intercourse without orgasm in order to achieve a higher spiritual bond), and orchids. Edward insists on mutually orgasmless sex and obsessively collects orchids, building an entire greenhouse to shelter the collection he hopes will establish his supremacy amid Boston’s’ wealthy male orchid collectors. (Edward is rich, but no Brahmin, so apparently he must strive to create this peculiar niche for himself.)
To that end, “orchid hunters” are employed to comb the jungles of Brazil in search of rare varieties. As Ada struggles with epic sexual frustration, she meets three of these hunters at a dinner and is entranced by the idea of herself as an orchid hunter. Later, one of the hunters is murdered in Brazil, and a survivor, an African American man named William (whose connections to the famous African Meeting House on Joy Street on Beacon Hill are unclear, although he’s always there when he isn’t in Brazil), asks Ada’s help in proving that Edward arranged the murder in order to secure a rare orchid.
From here a rather deliberate suspension of disbelief is necessary. Ada is imprisoned in her home and subject to doctor-performed vibrator sessions as punishment for her failure at karezza, for walking alone in Boston Common and for enjoying a tipsy lunch with her maids. The horrors to which she is subjected are historically legitimate. But Ada’s escape and subsequent cross-dressed adventures hunting orchids in Brazil in the company of William and the Brazilian, Jao, strain credulity a bit.
Not that it matters if you enjoy a richly-imagined view into the life of an intelligent and intensely sexual woman determined to enjoy freedoms denied her gender. While orgasm is the leitmotif, such issues as birth control, abortion, homosexuality and racism are also addressed fluidly, without polemic, and the strange orchid-collecting motif is interesting. Bauman’s feminist analysis of late-Victorian upper class gender mores is a racy, rollercoaster read!
The marriage thrives for a year or so until Edward’s interests are captured by two things – a book entitled Karezza:Ethics of Marriage by Alice Bunker Stockham (originally published in 1903, the book and tantric sexual method it espouses are real and still available, in which married couples are urged to engage in sexual intercourse without orgasm in order to achieve a higher spiritual bond), and orchids. Edward insists on mutually orgasmless sex and obsessively collects orchids, building an entire greenhouse to shelter the collection he hopes will establish his supremacy amid Boston’s’ wealthy male orchid collectors. (Edward is rich, but no Brahmin, so apparently he must strive to create this peculiar niche for himself.)
To that end, “orchid hunters” are employed to comb the jungles of Brazil in search of rare varieties. As Ada struggles with epic sexual frustration, she meets three of these hunters at a dinner and is entranced by the idea of herself as an orchid hunter. Later, one of the hunters is murdered in Brazil, and a survivor, an African American man named William (whose connections to the famous African Meeting House on Joy Street on Beacon Hill are unclear, although he’s always there when he isn’t in Brazil), asks Ada’s help in proving that Edward arranged the murder in order to secure a rare orchid.
From here a rather deliberate suspension of disbelief is necessary. Ada is imprisoned in her home and subject to doctor-performed vibrator sessions as punishment for her failure at karezza, for walking alone in Boston Common and for enjoying a tipsy lunch with her maids. The horrors to which she is subjected are historically legitimate. But Ada’s escape and subsequent cross-dressed adventures hunting orchids in Brazil in the company of William and the Brazilian, Jao, strain credulity a bit.
Not that it matters if you enjoy a richly-imagined view into the life of an intelligent and intensely sexual woman determined to enjoy freedoms denied her gender. While orgasm is the leitmotif, such issues as birth control, abortion, homosexuality and racism are also addressed fluidly, without polemic, and the strange orchid-collecting motif is interesting. Bauman’s feminist analysis of late-Victorian upper class gender mores is a racy, rollercoaster read!
March 14, 2012
Interesting of several levels for me because 1) i love orchids, 2)the tribulation of Victorian era women is fascinating to my feminist side, and 3)part of it takes place in Bahia, Brasil where I spent time over 30 yrs ago. If any of these things interest you, pick this one up. Its also a good story. Would make a GREAT MOVIE....adventure, love, sex, exotic and contrasting locales, with a great female lead and some excellent male roles too.
May 19, 2009
I like the story, and ending was good. But I was a little uncomfortable through out the book...the sexual content was a bit too much for me. And although I idenified with the character some, I found it frustrating.
May 7, 2025
I found this book slow moving at first, and I was creeped out by the husband's insistence on sex as a spiritual fulfillment without orgasm and the list of offenses that poor Ada committed. She was his property as much as the orchids were.
I loved Ada. Her struggle to maintain her dignity and independence with all the rules and the ingenuity she found to flout them were a triumph of the human spirit. I loved the symbolism of the orchids in this story -- something that is often compared to women's genitalia that Edward loved and coveted, all while treating his wife's anatomy as something to control and ignore at his will.
I found Dr. Casey and his methods of treating women's hysteria a humiliating and demoralizing idea. Orgasm through consensual sex within a marriage was bad but using a vibrator on a woman to cure her of independent thought was good? So CREEPY, and yet based on reality at the time.
This book includes rape. So, don't read if that is a trigger for you.
There is a LOT of sex in this book. I was fine with it, but I think it needs to be mentioned in case others don't want that in their reading selections.
I loved Ada. Her struggle to maintain her dignity and independence with all the rules and the ingenuity she found to flout them were a triumph of the human spirit. I loved the symbolism of the orchids in this story -- something that is often compared to women's genitalia that Edward loved and coveted, all while treating his wife's anatomy as something to control and ignore at his will.
I found Dr. Casey and his methods of treating women's hysteria a humiliating and demoralizing idea. Orgasm through consensual sex within a marriage was bad but using a vibrator on a woman to cure her of independent thought was good? So CREEPY, and yet based on reality at the time.
This book includes rape. So, don't read if that is a trigger for you.
There is a LOT of sex in this book. I was fine with it, but I think it needs to be mentioned in case others don't want that in their reading selections.
December 1, 2019
This book was beautifully written, although it is highly frustrating to any feminist to read. It is set in abolitionist times, and contains many triggers (sexual violence, slurs, sexism, graphic content, physical abuse and violence), so it is no light read. However, it is worth it in the end. My heart smiles at small details, and I feel that this book was written authentically from the time it is stationed. I feel that the second part was much too short in comparison to the first part and it’s exhausting elements, but I am satisfied. I do recommend this read, and I am happy that I found it in my local book shop. I learned many things while enjoying a realistic portrayal of Ada’s life. The flashbacks on her days in college added great detail; everything had a reason and a place. I agree with some other reviewers. The sexual description was a bit much at times, but I got use to it except one jarring moment near the end of the book. Overall, a good read. Very frustrating for the first half. Made me passionately angry.
July 1, 2019
Interesting but disappointing.
May 23, 2021
2021 review:
The Disorder of Longing
I am reading this unusual and wonderful novel for a second time.
The artful cover, orchids, Boston and historical fiction—some of my favorite things!
Orchids are beautiful, exotic, resemble female genitalia symbolizing overwhelming and unattainable desire and fulfillment.
Fiction is by definition a made up story. The author is not required to write historically accurately.
Ada is a Victorian yet her behavior seems that of a modern day woman.
However, as much as times have changed in the 21st-century, some aspects remain the same.
Women still face challenges, prejudices misconceptions, cultural and social limitations as in Victorian times.
I loved the character Ada. She is bright, passionate, vulnerable, non-traditional and driven to discover a means to live a true to herself, deeply experienced, meaningful life.
The author delves into such issues as sexism, racism, classicism, motherhood, abortion, female sexuality and identity and more. She seamlessly weaves these issues into the narrative.
I identified strongly with Ada. I savored every word, page, chapter.
This is the only novel written by Natasha Bauman. How I wish for another!
2009 review:
A Victorian/contemporary mix. Orchid hunting, wife imprisonment & torture, adventure & flawless character portrayal, fascinating story line & pretty prose. These are all of the elements that I look for in a novel of historical fiction. This is a lovely piece of literature. I would pair it with Elaine di Rollo's A Proper Education for Girls as two gems for the women's literature/historical fiction reader.
The Disorder of Longing
I am reading this unusual and wonderful novel for a second time.
The artful cover, orchids, Boston and historical fiction—some of my favorite things!
Orchids are beautiful, exotic, resemble female genitalia symbolizing overwhelming and unattainable desire and fulfillment.
Fiction is by definition a made up story. The author is not required to write historically accurately.
Ada is a Victorian yet her behavior seems that of a modern day woman.
However, as much as times have changed in the 21st-century, some aspects remain the same.
Women still face challenges, prejudices misconceptions, cultural and social limitations as in Victorian times.
I loved the character Ada. She is bright, passionate, vulnerable, non-traditional and driven to discover a means to live a true to herself, deeply experienced, meaningful life.
The author delves into such issues as sexism, racism, classicism, motherhood, abortion, female sexuality and identity and more. She seamlessly weaves these issues into the narrative.
I identified strongly with Ada. I savored every word, page, chapter.
This is the only novel written by Natasha Bauman. How I wish for another!
2009 review:
A Victorian/contemporary mix. Orchid hunting, wife imprisonment & torture, adventure & flawless character portrayal, fascinating story line & pretty prose. These are all of the elements that I look for in a novel of historical fiction. This is a lovely piece of literature. I would pair it with Elaine di Rollo's A Proper Education for Girls as two gems for the women's literature/historical fiction reader.
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June 2, 2009Part I was in some respects too overtly sexual and Ada's mindset seemed as restless and as movable as her sexual desires. This made it at once easy to identify with such a ranging array of characteristics, but mostly more difficult to integrate a protagonist that was so constantly changing with no disernable self. However, his scatter-shot devolepment is expertly countered by Part II in which Ada flourishes spiritually in senusous South America, making the inexpertise and inresovlable nature of Part I utterly neccesary to fully bring this transformation and self-discovery to light.
June 4, 2010
This book had a lot of potential.
I'll admit, the quality of the book material attracted me at first.
The hardbound I have is beautiful, intricate pictures and font printed upon feathered paper.
The first half of the book was compelling, the idea of going against the norm always makes an interesting story. But I was disappointed by the last few chapters. I felt that after the husband's confessional threat to power and aggression, the ending was rushed and not much of a conclusion or solution to it.
Still, Bauman creates great settings and visuals of the orchids.
I'll admit, the quality of the book material attracted me at first.
The hardbound I have is beautiful, intricate pictures and font printed upon feathered paper.
The first half of the book was compelling, the idea of going against the norm always makes an interesting story. But I was disappointed by the last few chapters. I felt that after the husband's confessional threat to power and aggression, the ending was rushed and not much of a conclusion or solution to it.
Still, Bauman creates great settings and visuals of the orchids.
October 28, 2017
I very much loved this book. At first, I didn't care much for it. Ada seemed overly sexual and the story moved slowly, but Ada's development was interesting, complex, and powerful. The societal rules and expectations of a woman's sexuality were both intriguing and disturbing and the comparisons between Victorian America and Brazil were colorful and fun to read about. By the time I finished the novel, I was happy with the ending and wishing there had been just a few more pages. A truly powerful novel.
June 28, 2012
I liked this book overall. I did learn a thing or two about orchids. The beginning of the book I felt was a little slow and I didn't feel the need to keep reading and keep turning the pages to find out what happens. I think people can figure out what is going to happen by the description the book gives and I think the beginning is drawn out. The end I thought was more of a page turner and more exciting.
February 13, 2010
I admit that I stuck with this book-which was a bit tedious at first, because I was snow-bound and had little choice. But then I realized that the tedium was on purpose because it was exactly that life that Ada wanted to escape from. When she does escape, it's like a whole other book and I much enjoyed the second half.
September 26, 2012
I initially picked up The Disorder of Longing, by Natasha Bauman, because the book flap mentioned hysteria, and that’s a topic that will soon come up in my Abnormal Psych course. After reading this novel though, I can say that it took me for turns I was not prepared to take and for that reason I enjoyed it. Perhaps after my next class I will have more to say on this topic…
December 31, 2015
I have stacks of books to read, but one night I grabbed this and couldn't put it down. Fascinating, a page turner; offers insights into the oppression of women and off family practices, the language and plot great. I gripper to my mind. It was her first novel, but Bauman is an accomplished writer. Look forward to her future books.
January 20, 2008
The heroine, Ada Pryce, is memorable. Bauman's characters are rich and complex. Very well-researched and evocative, especially concerning the role of women in the Victorian era. If you're into historical fiction, this book is for you. Did I mention there's sex, too?
December 7, 2008
The story of an adventurous, sensuous woman who finds a way to escape from an age and society where women's lives are constrained and limited. It's a beautiful story, with wonderful language and imagery that gets inside your veins
March 5, 2009
Fascinating to learn something about the orchid hunters and Bostonian collectors of the late 19th century, but the style was a bit heated - perhaps meant to evoke the time but coming off a bit too much like a period romance novel.
August 27, 2011
AGGGH! I want to pull my hair out: what happened with Jao?!?!
Beyond that, though, this book was brilliant. Such a deep insight into what it might have been like to be an independent-minded woman at the time.
Beyond that, though, this book was brilliant. Such a deep insight into what it might have been like to be an independent-minded woman at the time.
October 23, 2012
I really liked this book. It was fun learning about the flowers and I loved the adventure of Ada's life. She was a strong willed woman in a time when women were just supposed to sit and look pretty. I highly recommend this book.
May 25, 2013
I really find myself going back to this book. It was something I picked up in the bargain bin in a grocery store and started reading because I was bored, but I never thought that it would make such an impact on me.
February 29, 2016
I read this book on a whim and could not put it down. It is the story of a women's strength and how she overcomes the strict Victorian extremism of the day. And discovers her own sexuality as well. I loved the description of the orchids.
August 18, 2008
Very well-researched historical novel about nineteenth-century Boston and a courageous New Woman.
August 28, 2008
Well written but the story didn't hold much of my interest.
January 21, 2016
Liked it, didn't love it. Interesting story, but not superb writing style.
May 24, 2010
14th book of 2010
October 24, 2010
I really liked this book and the spirit of the main character. She just wasn't going conform and I love it! I also am fond of it because it took place in Boston and that's my home.
June 30, 2011
Very different type of book than I was used to but somehow sucked me in and I really enjoyed the journey of reading it . . . and thankful that I am a woman today and not when this book is based.
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April 25, 2015I would not recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews