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Beneath the Apple Leaves
From the author of Daughter of Australia comes a sweeping, heartfelt historical novel that follows a family of German immigrants who trade city living for the harsh realities of Pennsylvania farm life.
In 1914, Andrew Houghton s family is one of hundreds eking out an existence in the coal mines of southwestern Pennsylvania. Though he longs to be a veterinarian, he s fated for a life underground, picking rock alongside his father.
That destiny changes when his aunt, Eveline Kiser, arranges for her husband to secure Andrew an apprenticeship on the railroad. Wilhelm Kiser, a German immigrant, has found his American dream in Pittsburgh, with a well-paying job as a brakeman, and a secure pension. But on Andrew s first week, an incident goes tragically wrong, leaving him severely injured, his dreams shattered. Wracked with guilt, Wilhelm finally agrees to his wife s pleas to leave Pittsburgh s smog behind. With Andrew in tow, they swap their three-story row house for a rough-and-tumble farm.
Life in rural Pennsylvania is not as idyllic as Eveline imagined. The soil is slow to yield and their farmhouse is in disrepair. But there is one piece of beauty in this rugged land. Lily Morton is quick-witted and tough on the outside, but bears her own secret scars inside. Andrew s bond with her will help steer them through all the challenges to come, even as anti-German sentiment spreads across America with the outbreak of World War I.
Beneath the Apple Leaves is a vivid, deeply moving portrait of family its hardships, triumphs, and passions and a powerfully authentic evocation of life on the land and the hearts that sustain it.
In 1914, Andrew Houghton s family is one of hundreds eking out an existence in the coal mines of southwestern Pennsylvania. Though he longs to be a veterinarian, he s fated for a life underground, picking rock alongside his father.
That destiny changes when his aunt, Eveline Kiser, arranges for her husband to secure Andrew an apprenticeship on the railroad. Wilhelm Kiser, a German immigrant, has found his American dream in Pittsburgh, with a well-paying job as a brakeman, and a secure pension. But on Andrew s first week, an incident goes tragically wrong, leaving him severely injured, his dreams shattered. Wracked with guilt, Wilhelm finally agrees to his wife s pleas to leave Pittsburgh s smog behind. With Andrew in tow, they swap their three-story row house for a rough-and-tumble farm.
Life in rural Pennsylvania is not as idyllic as Eveline imagined. The soil is slow to yield and their farmhouse is in disrepair. But there is one piece of beauty in this rugged land. Lily Morton is quick-witted and tough on the outside, but bears her own secret scars inside. Andrew s bond with her will help steer them through all the challenges to come, even as anti-German sentiment spreads across America with the outbreak of World War I.
Beneath the Apple Leaves is a vivid, deeply moving portrait of family its hardships, triumphs, and passions and a powerfully authentic evocation of life on the land and the hearts that sustain it.
516 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2017
222 people are currently reading
1351 people want to read
About the author
Harmony Verna
4 books86 followersThroughout her twenty year career in communications, Harmony Verna has worked with all media facets: radio, television, magazines, newspapers, public relations, advertising and marketing. As a freelance writer, she has written scripts for the Food Network and articles for Modern Bride Magazine, Connecticut Woman Magazine and more. DAUGHTER OF AUSTRALIA was a final round selection for the James Jones First Novel Contest. Verna lives in Newtown, Connecticut, with her husband and their three young boys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 6, 2017
The promise Andrew Houghton gave his father that day down in the coal mine remained in his mind as he grew older. Andrew wanted to go to college to become a veterinarian, but the day his father was killed in the mine disaster which killed over ninety men, his destiny changed – Andrew’s promise to his father would be broken. His mother was devastated and retreated into herself – finally she could stand it no more. The contact with her sister Eveline Kiser happened behind Andrew’s back, but before he knew it, he was on a train to meet up with his aunt and her family in Pittsburgh while his mother returned to her homeland…
Within a week of Andrew meeting with his new family and starting his apprenticeship on the trains with his uncle, Wilhelm Kiser, worse was to happen. After his recovery Andrew was sad and depressed but his love of his nephews and their devotion to him helped him through. And when Wilhelm came home and informed his wife of bad news, he also told her he was taking them to rural Pennsylvania where they now owned a run-down farm. Would their lives improve? Or would things worsen?
With America joining the war, the sentiment toward German immigrants was harsh and cruel. Wilhelm withdrew, becoming angry and aggressive. But when Lily Morton turned up one day, her helpful, bright nature was a balm to everyone, especially Eveline and Andrew. Lily lived on a nearby farm and had always loved the farm’s gigantic apple tree and climbed its limbs, resting between the boughs and eating the fruit. But would her presence be enough? What would happen to the family in a harsh, unforgiving climate? And what were the secrets that seemed buried just below the surface?
Beneath the Apple Leaves is another emotional, heartfelt historical saga from the amazing Harmony Verna. Her debut novel, Daughter Of Australia, blew me away and now Beneath the Apple Leaves has done the same. A powerful story about German immigrants, the hardships; hopes and tragedies; love and determination to not be buried in sadness – this author is now permanently on my “watch-out-for” list. Very highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read and review.
Within a week of Andrew meeting with his new family and starting his apprenticeship on the trains with his uncle, Wilhelm Kiser, worse was to happen. After his recovery Andrew was sad and depressed but his love of his nephews and their devotion to him helped him through. And when Wilhelm came home and informed his wife of bad news, he also told her he was taking them to rural Pennsylvania where they now owned a run-down farm. Would their lives improve? Or would things worsen?
With America joining the war, the sentiment toward German immigrants was harsh and cruel. Wilhelm withdrew, becoming angry and aggressive. But when Lily Morton turned up one day, her helpful, bright nature was a balm to everyone, especially Eveline and Andrew. Lily lived on a nearby farm and had always loved the farm’s gigantic apple tree and climbed its limbs, resting between the boughs and eating the fruit. But would her presence be enough? What would happen to the family in a harsh, unforgiving climate? And what were the secrets that seemed buried just below the surface?
Beneath the Apple Leaves is another emotional, heartfelt historical saga from the amazing Harmony Verna. Her debut novel, Daughter Of Australia, blew me away and now Beneath the Apple Leaves has done the same. A powerful story about German immigrants, the hardships; hopes and tragedies; love and determination to not be buried in sadness – this author is now permanently on my “watch-out-for” list. Very highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read and review.
August 8, 2020
1914 and Andrew longs to be a veterinarian and not end up like his father as a coalminer in Pennsylvania. It is what his father wants for him too. But then circumstances intervene and Andrew ends up exactly where he and his father did not want him to be, underground in the coal mines. When Aunt Eveline arranges an apprenticeship with his uncle Wilhelm on the railroad, Andrew hopes life is looking up. But tragedy intervenes again. Wracked with guilt Wilhelm finally gives in to his wife’s desire for a rural life and the family leave Pittsburgh behind and head to a broken down farm. But life has more tragedy in store for this family. With the advent of World War 1 and anti-German sentiment running high, Wilhelm Kiser and his family as well as other people of German ancestry strike a lot of prejudice and problems. One of their neighbours, Lily Morton knows all about prejudice and being judged by others. She knows what it is like to be an outcast because of her family and also what it is like for her and her sister Claire to suffer abuse. There is also an underlying secret in the Morton family that separates them from others. But Andrew sees only good in Lily. What does the future hold in store for Andrew and the Kiser family and the Lily and the Morton family? Can they ever find release from tragedy and unhappiness?
While the characters of Andrew and Lily are very easy to sympathise with, especially Andrew who is lovely strong but sensitive man, the life portrayed here is very harsh - a life not for the fainthearted. It seems one disaster after another confront them. I found this a heartbreaking read, and there were times when I simply had to put the book down for a while. Not because it was not interesting but because it was too raw and painful to read some of the dire situations these characters had to deal with. It covers some traumatic topics. There is a lot of prejudice, anger, hate, loss and abuse. But there are also moments of joy and love.
So, not sure I would say I enjoyed it but I did capture my interest throughout. I had to know what happened to Andrew, the Kiser family and the Mortons. There is nothing idealistic about this book. It is firmly grounded in the harsh reality of the times. Sometimes it did perhaps seem that too many disasters happened to these families. But maybe that is what like was like for some back then. Maybe it is for some of our people on the land today too. Overall, it is a story of hardship and loss, but also of family, friendship and love. One I would recommend as it reminds us how hard life has been in the past for some people and the things they have had to put up with and the things some today still have to contend with.
While the characters of Andrew and Lily are very easy to sympathise with, especially Andrew who is lovely strong but sensitive man, the life portrayed here is very harsh - a life not for the fainthearted. It seems one disaster after another confront them. I found this a heartbreaking read, and there were times when I simply had to put the book down for a while. Not because it was not interesting but because it was too raw and painful to read some of the dire situations these characters had to deal with. It covers some traumatic topics. There is a lot of prejudice, anger, hate, loss and abuse. But there are also moments of joy and love.
So, not sure I would say I enjoyed it but I did capture my interest throughout. I had to know what happened to Andrew, the Kiser family and the Mortons. There is nothing idealistic about this book. It is firmly grounded in the harsh reality of the times. Sometimes it did perhaps seem that too many disasters happened to these families. But maybe that is what like was like for some back then. Maybe it is for some of our people on the land today too. Overall, it is a story of hardship and loss, but also of family, friendship and love. One I would recommend as it reminds us how hard life has been in the past for some people and the things they have had to put up with and the things some today still have to contend with.
June 30, 2017
Raw,emotional and written as only a Pittsburgh native author could. I am a Pittsburgh native as well! There were mentions of towns,a creek and the descriptions of the land and area as only a Pittsburgh native would know.This book took place in the teens in Allegheny,Westmoreland and Fayette counties. The discrimination against the Germans in this area at the time was just terrible. The raw emotions of this very realistic book will put you through the wringer! This book will take you from the harsh conditions of the coal mines in Fayette county where Andrew longs to be a veterinarian with money saved to the rural Pennsylvania railroad where his aunt has arranged an apprenticeship for him after his father's death in the mines and his mother's mental illness brought on by his death. His mother leaves him behind as she returns to her native country.A tragic accident leaves him maimed on his first week of work. They leave the smog of Pittsburgh for a ramshackle farm. Life is not idealistic though for the family. The rough and tumble land will suck you dry if you let it, it takes without giving much back. Look at the failed crops in the fields. The Spanish Influenza took over 6,000 lives in Pittsburgh about 1 percent of the population at the time.
This is a beautifully told heart wrenching story that will stay with me,as a Pittsburgh native for a long time!
Pub Date 27 Jun 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a beautifully told heart wrenching story that will stay with me,as a Pittsburgh native for a long time!
Pub Date 27 Jun 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 30, 2021
Εξαιρετικό γράψιμο, καταπληκτικοι χαρακτήρες ωραία ιστορία, σε ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον χρονικό πλαίσιο.... Όχι κάτι πρότότυπο αλλά πολύ ωραία Δομημένο... Το διαβάζεις μονορούφι.... Φυσικά δώστε του χρόνο
March 15, 2018
https://lovebooksloveread.blogspot.gr...
Ένα υπέροχο ταξίδι έλαβε τέλος!Για άλλη μια φορά η Harmony Verna δημιούργησε εξαιρετικούς χαρακτήρες αποδίδοντας εκπληκτικά όλο το ''σκηνικό'' της δύσκολης εκείνης εποχής ! Τα πρέπει τα θέλω το καθήκον το χρέος..Άπειρα τα συναισθήματα που περνάνε από μπροστά σου!Πρωταρχικό ρόλο παίζει η αγάπη σε όλες της τις μορφές,ακολουθεί το συναίσθημα της φιλίας και της ανθρωπιάς που είναι διάχυτο παντού.Όπως στην πραγματικότητα όμως έτσι και στην ιστορία δεν μπορούν να λείπουν οι κακοί...Αναφωνείς πικραίνεσαι και εξοργίζεσαι μ΄αυτούς..Ζητάς απεγνωσμένα τη πολυπόθητη λύτρωση των ηρώων.Αγάπησα βαθιά και αμετάκλητα τον Άντριου.Ήρωας που θα μου μείνει αξέχαστος! Τραγικές φιγούρες ο Γουίλελμ και στην πορεία η Έβελιν μάτωσα μαζί τους!Μέσα από κάποιες δυσάρεστες καταστάσεις έρχεται ο συμβιβασμός..Ότι πιο δύσκολο! Κάποιοι θα τα καταφέρνουν και κάποιοι άλλοι όχι.Όλα έχουν το τίμημά τους. Μυστικά σκοτεινά που έρχονται στο φως και σοκάρουν ,αξίες μια ολόκληρης ζωής καταρρίπτονται μπροστά σου.Μέσα από τις επιθυμίες και τις σκέψεις των ηρώων έρχεται και η μεταμέλεια τη ζεις μέχρι το μεδούλι,αλλά ήδη για κάποιους είναι πολύ αργά! Εκρηκτικό και καθηλωτικό ανάγνωσμα που συγκινεί βαθιά από τις πρώτες του σελίδες.Ο τρόπος της συγγραφής του,οι ρεαλιστικές περιγραφές του τότε και η απίθανη πλοκή του, το καθιστά μοναδικό στα μάτια μου.Ένα βιβλίο που τα έχει όλα στον υπερθετικό βαθμό!Ανακαλύψτε το!
Ένα υπέροχο ταξίδι έλαβε τέλος!Για άλλη μια φορά η Harmony Verna δημιούργησε εξαιρετικούς χαρακτήρες αποδίδοντας εκπληκτικά όλο το ''σκηνικό'' της δύσκολης εκείνης εποχής ! Τα πρέπει τα θέλω το καθήκον το χρέος..Άπειρα τα συναισθήματα που περνάνε από μπροστά σου!Πρωταρχικό ρόλο παίζει η αγάπη σε όλες της τις μορφές,ακολουθεί το συναίσθημα της φιλίας και της ανθρωπιάς που είναι διάχυτο παντού.Όπως στην πραγματικότητα όμως έτσι και στην ιστορία δεν μπορούν να λείπουν οι κακοί...Αναφωνείς πικραίνεσαι και εξοργίζεσαι μ΄αυτούς..Ζητάς απεγνωσμένα τη πολυπόθητη λύτρωση των ηρώων.Αγάπησα βαθιά και αμετάκλητα τον Άντριου.Ήρωας που θα μου μείνει αξέχαστος! Τραγικές φιγούρες ο Γουίλελμ και στην πορεία η Έβελιν μάτωσα μαζί τους!Μέσα από κάποιες δυσάρεστες καταστάσεις έρχεται ο συμβιβασμός..Ότι πιο δύσκολο! Κάποιοι θα τα καταφέρνουν και κάποιοι άλλοι όχι.Όλα έχουν το τίμημά τους. Μυστικά σκοτεινά που έρχονται στο φως και σοκάρουν ,αξίες μια ολόκληρης ζωής καταρρίπτονται μπροστά σου.Μέσα από τις επιθυμίες και τις σκέψεις των ηρώων έρχεται και η μεταμέλεια τη ζεις μέχρι το μεδούλι,αλλά ήδη για κάποιους είναι πολύ αργά! Εκρηκτικό και καθηλωτικό ανάγνωσμα που συγκινεί βαθιά από τις πρώτες του σελίδες.Ο τρόπος της συγγραφής του,οι ρεαλιστικές περιγραφές του τότε και η απίθανη πλοκή του, το καθιστά μοναδικό στα μάτια μου.Ένα βιβλίο που τα έχει όλα στον υπερθετικό βαθμό!Ανακαλύψτε το!
September 23, 2021
Fans of Susan Meissner will enjoy this tale of a family that overcomes hardship and tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
June 28, 2017
This is simply a gorgeous novel! The characters grab your heart and never let go as they struggle to find love and hope. A saga that follows a family of immigrants who trade city living for the harsh realities of Pennsylvania farm life. And when faced with anti-German sentiment during the outbreak of World War I, it seems as if this will break them at last. But love is enduring, and grows. BENEATH THE APPLE LEAVES is the type of book you never want to end.
October 2, 2018
I thought this looked like a cozy fall read, I was wrong. While it still had a great story there was sooo much heartbreaking things happening to this family. I was not prepared but there was a little happiness in the end.
January 19, 2018
Μετά την "Κόρη της Αυστραλίας", οι εκδόσεις Κλειδάριθμος έφεραν στη χώρα μας ένα ακόμα μυθιστόρημα με την υπογραφή της Harmony Verna. Ένα μυθιστόρημα που μιλάει για την αλήθεια του Α' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, όχι όπως τον βίωσαν όσοι βρέθηκαν στο πεδίο της μάχης, αλλά εκείνοι που βρέθηκαν αντιμέτωποι με τις συνέπειές του μέσα στην τραγική καθημερινότητα της ίδιας τους της ζωής. Γιατί, ένας πόλεμος, δεν έχει συνέπειες κι επιπτώσεις μόνο σε όσους παλεύουν για να τον κερδίσουν και να στεφθούν ένδοξοι νικητές ενώ αιματηρού αγώνα, αλλά και για όλους εκείνους που δίνουν μια διαφορετική, καθημερινή μάχη, ίσως την πιο σκληρή όλων, εκείνη της επιβίωσης και της διεκδίκησης του δικαιώματος της πραγμάτωσης των ονείρων και των πιο κρυφών τους επιθυμιών.
Ο Άντριου Χόουτον, γιος οικογένειας ανθρακωρύχων, μοιάζει καταδικασμένος ν' ακολουθήσει την πορεία του πατέρα του, δουλεύοντας σκληρά κάτω από το έδαφος και παλεύοντας για να επιβιώσει. Όμως, η θεία του, Έβελιν Κάιζερ, και ο Γερμανός σύζυγός της καταφέρνουν να του εξασφαλίσουν μια θέση μαθητευόμενου στις σιδηροδρομικές γραμμές. Κι εκεί που ο Άντριου σκέφτεται πως η τύχη τού χαμογέλασε, την πρώτη του κιόλας μέρα στη δουλειά, έχει έναν σοβαρό τραυματισμό που δεν του επιτρέπει να εργαστεί και που τον αναγκάζει να φύγει ��ια την επαρχία. Η αγροτική ζωή διόλου εύκολη δεν είναι, και για ν' αποδώσει καρπούς απαιτεί χρόνο, υπομονή και αφοσίωση, όμως ο Άντριου βρίσκει παρηγοριά στο πρόσωπο της Λίλι Μόρτον, μια νεαρή κοπέλα με έντονη προσωπικότητα που κερδίζει αμέσως την καρδιά του. Η σχέση τους γίνεται όλο και πιο δυνατή όσο περνάει ο καιρός, αλλά ο Α' Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος έρχεται ν' ανατρέψει για μία ακόμα φορά τις ισορροπίες, με τους Κάιζερ να μπαίνουν στο στόχαστρο όλων λόγω της καταγωγής τους.
Η Harmony Verna, όπως έχουμε αναφέρει και στο παρελθόν, έχει μια μοναδική ικανότητα να μας ταξιδεύει στο χώρο και στο χρόνο. Η ενδελεχή της έρευνα είναι εμφανής σε κάθε νέο έργο της, και το "Κάτω από τα φύλλα της μηλιάς" δεν αποτελεί εξαίρεση. Βασισμένη σε ιστορικά γεγονότα, δημιουργεί μια ολότελα δική της ιστορία που, όμως, δεν θυμίζει προϊόν μυθοπλασίας, καθότι απόλυτα ρεαλιστική και αληθοφανής, εστιάζοντας στην ουσία και στην σκληρή αλήθεια των πραγμάτων και των εκάστοτε καταστάσεων με τις οποίες έρχονται αντιμέτωποι οι ήρωές της. Όλα αυτά, συνδυασμένα άψογα με την γλαφυρή περιγραφικότητα που την χαρακτηρίζει, και που βοηθάει στην αποτύπωση των εικόνων της φύσης και της ζωής στην αγροτική επαρχία του Παλμ, συμβάλλουν στο να ζωντανέψει το τοπίο και οι άνθρωποι που το συνθέτουν αυτό κι εμείς, ως αναγνώστες, μπορούμε όχι μόνο να δούμε με τα μάτια της ψυχής μας εικόνες που κλέβουν την καρδιά μας, αλλά ν' ακούσουμε τους μελωδικούς ήχους της εξοχής, να μυρίσουμε τα όμορφα αρώματά της, να νιώσουμε τον ήλιο να σιγοκαίει πάνω στο δέρμα μας.
Το εντυπωσιακότερο όλων, όμως, είναι το πως κατάφερε η συγγραφέας να διαχειριστεί μια πλοκή τόσο πλούσια σε γεγονότα. Μια πλοκή που πολύ εύκολα θα μπορούσε να είναι φλύαρη ή να μην βγάζει νόημα, που να χαρακτηρίζεται από πληθώρα αφηγηματικών κενών, πράγμα που επ' ουδενί δεν συμβαίνει στην προκειμένη περίπτωση. Αντίθετα, η Verna, έχει καταφέρει να ισορροπήσει την κάθε λεπτομέρεια και να την φέρει σε απόλυτη αρμονία με τον γεμάτο ένταση, παλμό και πάθος ρυθμό της αφήγησής της, παρασύροντάς μας σ' ένα αγωνιώδες ταξίδι που κάνει την καρδιά μας να χτυπάει ξέφρενα. Και στο ταξίδι αυτό συνοδοιπόροι μας οι ήρωές της, τόσο καλοδουλεμένοι και με βάθος, τόσο ζωντανοί και αληθινοί, άνθρωποι σαν κι εμάς, άνθρωποι της διπλανής πόρτας, άνθρωποι που αν είχαμε γεννηθεί σ' έναν άλλο τόπο και μιαν άλλη εποχή θα μπορούσαμε να είμαστε εμείς οι ίδιοι. Αυτό μας επιτρέπει να τους κατανοήσουμε καλύτερα, να συμπάσχουμε μαζί τους και να μοιραστούμε τα άγχη και τους προβληματισμούς τους.
Μια ιστορία που έχει τα σκοτεινά και τα φωτεινά της σημεία, όπως ακριβώς και η ίδια η ζωή. Μια ιστορία που ξεδιπλώνει και αναλύει την ψυχοσύνθεση των ανθρώπων που βιώνουν τον πόλεμο, τις δυσκολίες και τις απώλειες που αυτός επιφέρει, αλλά που την ίδια στιγμή παλεύουν ν' αποδείξουν ποιοι είναι, ποιες είναι οι αξίες τους, και που αγωνίζονται για το δικαίωμά τους στην πίστη και στο όνειρο, με όσα δεινά κι αν έρχονται αντιμέτωποι. Μια ιστορία που η λογική συγκρούεται με το συναίσθημα, η ηθική με το πάθος, το λογικό με το παράλογο, το καλό με το κακό. Μια ιστορία που μιλά για την αλήθεια της ζωής και των ανθρώπων, για τις επιλογές και τα μονοπάτια εκείνα που καλούμαστε να επιλέξουμε αν θ' ακολουθήσουμε ή αν θ' αναζητήσουμε άλλα. Μια ιστορία που σε καθηλώνει, σε συναρπάζει, σε συγκινεί και, τελικά, κλέβει ένα κομμάτι της καρδιάς σου.
Ο Άντριου Χόουτον, γιος οικογένειας ανθρακωρύχων, μοιάζει καταδικασμένος ν' ακολουθήσει την πορεία του πατέρα του, δουλεύοντας σκληρά κάτω από το έδαφος και παλεύοντας για να επιβιώσει. Όμως, η θεία του, Έβελιν Κάιζερ, και ο Γερμανός σύζυγός της καταφέρνουν να του εξασφαλίσουν μια θέση μαθητευόμενου στις σιδηροδρομικές γραμμές. Κι εκεί που ο Άντριου σκέφτεται πως η τύχη τού χαμογέλασε, την πρώτη του κιόλας μέρα στη δουλειά, έχει έναν σοβαρό τραυματισμό που δεν του επιτρέπει να εργαστεί και που τον αναγκάζει να φύγει ��ια την επαρχία. Η αγροτική ζωή διόλου εύκολη δεν είναι, και για ν' αποδώσει καρπούς απαιτεί χρόνο, υπομονή και αφοσίωση, όμως ο Άντριου βρίσκει παρηγοριά στο πρόσωπο της Λίλι Μόρτον, μια νεαρή κοπέλα με έντονη προσωπικότητα που κερδίζει αμέσως την καρδιά του. Η σχέση τους γίνεται όλο και πιο δυνατή όσο περνάει ο καιρός, αλλά ο Α' Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος έρχεται ν' ανατρέψει για μία ακόμα φορά τις ισορροπίες, με τους Κάιζερ να μπαίνουν στο στόχαστρο όλων λόγω της καταγωγής τους.
Η Harmony Verna, όπως έχουμε αναφέρει και στο παρελθόν, έχει μια μοναδική ικανότητα να μας ταξιδεύει στο χώρο και στο χρόνο. Η ενδελεχή της έρευνα είναι εμφανής σε κάθε νέο έργο της, και το "Κάτω από τα φύλλα της μηλιάς" δεν αποτελεί εξαίρεση. Βασισμένη σε ιστορικά γεγονότα, δημιουργεί μια ολότελα δική της ιστορία που, όμως, δεν θυμίζει προϊόν μυθοπλασίας, καθότι απόλυτα ρεαλιστική και αληθοφανής, εστιάζοντας στην ουσία και στην σκληρή αλήθεια των πραγμάτων και των εκάστοτε καταστάσεων με τις οποίες έρχονται αντιμέτωποι οι ήρωές της. Όλα αυτά, συνδυασμένα άψογα με την γλαφυρή περιγραφικότητα που την χαρακτηρίζει, και που βοηθάει στην αποτύπωση των εικόνων της φύσης και της ζωής στην αγροτική επαρχία του Παλμ, συμβάλλουν στο να ζωντανέψει το τοπίο και οι άνθρωποι που το συνθέτουν αυτό κι εμείς, ως αναγνώστες, μπορούμε όχι μόνο να δούμε με τα μάτια της ψυχής μας εικόνες που κλέβουν την καρδιά μας, αλλά ν' ακούσουμε τους μελωδικούς ήχους της εξοχής, να μυρίσουμε τα όμορφα αρώματά της, να νιώσουμε τον ήλιο να σιγοκαίει πάνω στο δέρμα μας.
Το εντυπωσιακότερο όλων, όμως, είναι το πως κατάφερε η συγγραφέας να διαχειριστεί μια πλοκή τόσο πλούσια σε γεγονότα. Μια πλοκή που πολύ εύκολα θα μπορούσε να είναι φλύαρη ή να μην βγάζει νόημα, που να χαρακτηρίζεται από πληθώρα αφηγηματικών κενών, πράγμα που επ' ουδενί δεν συμβαίνει στην προκειμένη περίπτωση. Αντίθετα, η Verna, έχει καταφέρει να ισορροπήσει την κάθε λεπτομέρεια και να την φέρει σε απόλυτη αρμονία με τον γεμάτο ένταση, παλμό και πάθος ρυθμό της αφήγησής της, παρασύροντάς μας σ' ένα αγωνιώδες ταξίδι που κάνει την καρδιά μας να χτυπάει ξέφρενα. Και στο ταξίδι αυτό συνοδοιπόροι μας οι ήρωές της, τόσο καλοδουλεμένοι και με βάθος, τόσο ζωντανοί και αληθινοί, άνθρωποι σαν κι εμάς, άνθρωποι της διπλανής πόρτας, άνθρωποι που αν είχαμε γεννηθεί σ' έναν άλλο τόπο και μιαν άλλη εποχή θα μπορούσαμε να είμαστε εμείς οι ίδιοι. Αυτό μας επιτρέπει να τους κατανοήσουμε καλύτερα, να συμπάσχουμε μαζί τους και να μοιραστούμε τα άγχη και τους προβληματισμούς τους.
Μια ιστορία που έχει τα σκοτεινά και τα φωτεινά της σημεία, όπως ακριβώς και η ίδια η ζωή. Μια ιστορία που ξεδιπλώνει και αναλύει την ψυχοσύνθεση των ανθρώπων που βιώνουν τον πόλεμο, τις δυσκολίες και τις απώλειες που αυτός επιφέρει, αλλά που την ίδια στιγμή παλεύουν ν' αποδείξουν ποιοι είναι, ποιες είναι οι αξίες τους, και που αγωνίζονται για το δικαίωμά τους στην πίστη και στο όνειρο, με όσα δεινά κι αν έρχονται αντιμέτωποι. Μια ιστορία που η λογική συγκρούεται με το συναίσθημα, η ηθική με το πάθος, το λογικό με το παράλογο, το καλό με το κακό. Μια ιστορία που μιλά για την αλήθεια της ζωής και των ανθρώπων, για τις επιλογές και τα μονοπάτια εκείνα που καλούμαστε να επιλέξουμε αν θ' ακολουθήσουμε ή αν θ' αναζητήσουμε άλλα. Μια ιστορία που σε καθηλώνει, σε συναρπάζει, σε συγκινεί και, τελικά, κλέβει ένα κομμάτι της καρδιάς σου.
January 21, 2019
Αυτό δεν ήταν ένα απλό βιβλίο ήταν το ταπεινός και καταφρονημενος με τον ξανθοπουλο και το αμάρτησα για το παιδί μου με την Μάρθα βουρτση. Έχουμε και λέμε ένας μόνο χείρας μια ηρωίδα προϊόν βιασμού του πατέρα της από την αδερφή της, ξαδέρφη της με νοητικά προβλήματα από τα χτυπήματα του πατέρα, η ηρωίδα φυσικά και θα βιαστεί και θα μείνει έγκυος από τον γαμπρό και ακόμα έναν που την πούλησε επειδή έχασε τα χαρτιά η διπλανή οιικογενεια είχε ένα γιο με νοητική στεριση και μια κόρη καραφλη από όστρακα δύο δίδυμα νεκρά και ο θείος του κρεμαστήκε σε δέντρο. και μέσα σε όλα αυτά είναι γερμανοι κατά την περίοδο του πολέμου Γερμανίας Αμερικής και φυσικά πεινάνε.... Ρε δε με παρατάτε λέω εγώ....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2017
https://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogsp...
Having read and LOVED Harmony’s debut novel, ‘Daughter of Australia’ I did not hesitate to embark on another journey with her. Would it, however, live up to her first inspiring saga? I can say without the shadow of a doubt, it was right up there beside her first amazing novel. As Harmony states in her acknowledgements,
‘The seeds of this book came from my mother ... who shared the stories - the sorrows and the joys - of growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania ... I am humbled and proud of the strength and sacrifices of my German ancestors’.
‘Beneath the Apple Leaves’ is another emotional roller coaster ride, that is the epitome of what good historical drama is all about. This will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings as Harmony takes you on a journey to another place and time. Yet another powerful drama that incorporates not only the plight of German immigrants during World War I, but topics ranging from the hardships of life on the land, family love and loss, terrible tragedies and great moments of hope and joy.
“It’s too much for any of us. We’re all drowning. Like the whole world is drowning!”
This book is indeed most beautifully scripted from the enduring love story to the emotional heartbreak of unbearable losses. There will be times when you feel, surely fate will cut them some slack for these much deserving characters; but as the war ensues and deliberate harassment and persecution is rife, you begin to wonder if you will get a happy ending. If things could go wrong, invariably they seemed to.
“They’re good people. Love this country as much as the Simpsons. Except they don’t have to attack people to prove it.”
Yet despite, or in fact because of this, these characters will pull at your heartstrings. You just have to read through hoping against hope that life will be kinder to these deserving souls. Will love endure ‘beneath the apple leaves’?
‘With ax in hand, Andrew stared at the enormity of the ancient apple tree. The limbs, old, had witnessed too much suffering. And they seemed to ask to be relieved, to say good-bye. A wind blew and rustled the branches, the leaves waving in surrender.’
This is another amazing journey that Harmony takes you on and you will be swept away as becoming emotionally invested in these characters, especially the stoic Andrew. Such a finely crafted story I cannot recommend highly enough - historical drama of immigrants in early 1900s Pennsylvania.
‘For life began anew, grew again, beneath the apple leaves.’
Having read and LOVED Harmony’s debut novel, ‘Daughter of Australia’ I did not hesitate to embark on another journey with her. Would it, however, live up to her first inspiring saga? I can say without the shadow of a doubt, it was right up there beside her first amazing novel. As Harmony states in her acknowledgements,
‘The seeds of this book came from my mother ... who shared the stories - the sorrows and the joys - of growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania ... I am humbled and proud of the strength and sacrifices of my German ancestors’.
‘Beneath the Apple Leaves’ is another emotional roller coaster ride, that is the epitome of what good historical drama is all about. This will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings as Harmony takes you on a journey to another place and time. Yet another powerful drama that incorporates not only the plight of German immigrants during World War I, but topics ranging from the hardships of life on the land, family love and loss, terrible tragedies and great moments of hope and joy.
“It’s too much for any of us. We’re all drowning. Like the whole world is drowning!”
This book is indeed most beautifully scripted from the enduring love story to the emotional heartbreak of unbearable losses. There will be times when you feel, surely fate will cut them some slack for these much deserving characters; but as the war ensues and deliberate harassment and persecution is rife, you begin to wonder if you will get a happy ending. If things could go wrong, invariably they seemed to.
“They’re good people. Love this country as much as the Simpsons. Except they don’t have to attack people to prove it.”
Yet despite, or in fact because of this, these characters will pull at your heartstrings. You just have to read through hoping against hope that life will be kinder to these deserving souls. Will love endure ‘beneath the apple leaves’?
‘With ax in hand, Andrew stared at the enormity of the ancient apple tree. The limbs, old, had witnessed too much suffering. And they seemed to ask to be relieved, to say good-bye. A wind blew and rustled the branches, the leaves waving in surrender.’
This is another amazing journey that Harmony takes you on and you will be swept away as becoming emotionally invested in these characters, especially the stoic Andrew. Such a finely crafted story I cannot recommend highly enough - historical drama of immigrants in early 1900s Pennsylvania.
‘For life began anew, grew again, beneath the apple leaves.’
August 19, 2019
http://georgette60.blogspot.com/2019/...
Ένα όμορφο ταξίδι στο χρόνο και στο χώρο του Α.Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου σε μία επαρχιακή πόλη της Αμερικής.Η ικανότητα της συγγραφέως και η επιμελής έρευνά της φαίνεται από την αρχή του έργου της.Μιά πλοκή πλουσίων γεγονότων με ζωντανούς και αληθοφανείς χαρακτήρες που κινούνται και αναδεικνύονται κατά την ροή της ιστορίας και συγκρούονται με τον εσωτερικό τους κόσμο.Ανθρώπινες σχέσεις και που αναλόγως των συγκυριών όπου διανύουν την ζωή τους,άλλοτε θρυμματίζονται κάτω από το δικό τους βάρος και άλλοτε ευδοκιμούν δίνοντας μία νότα αισιοδοξίας.Αδυσώπητος ο αγώνας τους για την επιβίωση και παρ’όλο που ο πόλεμος δεν μαίνεται δίπλα τους εν τούτοις τους αγγίζει με πολλούς τρόπους και γίνεται η διαχείρισή του δύσκολη.Εξαίσιες και γλαφυρές οι περιγραφές ειδικά της φυσικής τοπογραφίας και γενικά της αγροτικής ζωής.
ΑΝΤΡΙΟΥΣ. Ελπίδα και πόθος για μια διαφορετική ζωή αλλά εξαιτίας των γεγονότων τα όνειρά του καταπνίγονται και πρέπει ν’αναζητήσει εκ νέου έναν άλλο εαυτό.
ΛΙΛΥ.Θα γνωρίσει ν’αγαπάει και να εκτιμά τον ευατό της?
ΕΒΕΛΙΝ.Η επιθυμία της γίνεται πραγματικότητα αλλά το μέλλον αβέβαιο.
ΓΟΥΙΛΕΛΜ.Θλιβερή μορφή λόγω καταστάσεων?λόγω ιδιοσυγκρασίας?
Αυτοί και οι υπόλοιποι χαρακτήρες θα σας ταξιδέψουν ΚΑΤΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΦΥΛΛΑ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΛΙΑΣ δίνοντας το δικό τους συμβολικό μήνυμα και εισπράττοντας διάχυτα και αλληλοσυγκρουόμενα συναισθήματα.
Ένα όμορφο ταξίδι στο χρόνο και στο χώρο του Α.Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου σε μία επαρχιακή πόλη της Αμερικής.Η ικανότητα της συγγραφέως και η επιμελής έρευνά της φαίνεται από την αρχή του έργου της.Μιά πλοκή πλουσίων γεγονότων με ζωντανούς και αληθοφανείς χαρακτήρες που κινούνται και αναδεικνύονται κατά την ροή της ιστορίας και συγκρούονται με τον εσωτερικό τους κόσμο.Ανθρώπινες σχέσεις και που αναλόγως των συγκυριών όπου διανύουν την ζωή τους,άλλοτε θρυμματίζονται κάτω από το δικό τους βάρος και άλλοτε ευδοκιμούν δίνοντας μία νότα αισιοδοξίας.Αδυσώπητος ο αγώνας τους για την επιβίωση και παρ’όλο που ο πόλεμος δεν μαίνεται δίπλα τους εν τούτοις τους αγγίζει με πολλούς τρόπους και γίνεται η διαχείρισή του δύσκολη.Εξαίσιες και γλαφυρές οι περιγραφές ειδικά της φυσικής τοπογραφίας και γενικά της αγροτικής ζωής.
ΑΝΤΡΙΟΥΣ. Ελπίδα και πόθος για μια διαφορετική ζωή αλλά εξαιτίας των γεγονότων τα όνειρά του καταπνίγονται και πρέπει ν’αναζητήσει εκ νέου έναν άλλο εαυτό.
ΛΙΛΥ.Θα γνωρίσει ν’αγαπάει και να εκτιμά τον ευατό της?
ΕΒΕΛΙΝ.Η επιθυμία της γίνεται πραγματικότητα αλλά το μέλλον αβέβαιο.
ΓΟΥΙΛΕΛΜ.Θλιβερή μορφή λόγω καταστάσεων?λόγω ιδιοσυγκρασίας?
Αυτοί και οι υπόλοιποι χαρακτήρες θα σας ταξιδέψουν ΚΑΤΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΦΥΛΛΑ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΛΙΑΣ δίνοντας το δικό τους συμβολικό μήνυμα και εισπράττοντας διάχυτα και αλληλοσυγκρουόμενα συναισθήματα.
July 25, 2018
This story is set in 1914 in Pennsylvania in the United Staes. Andrew's father is a coalminer who takes his son into the mine and makes him promise never to work in it. His father has great ideas for Andrew, planning to send him to college to become a veterinain. However, when he dies in an explosion in the mine, Andrew's life changes dramatically. Her mother goes back to Poland and he goes to live with his a husband Wilhelm Kiser.
With a promise of working in the railway,Andrew is going to work as a brakeman as his uncle. However, in the first day he sufferes a terrible accident that changes the prospects of his future life. His uncle decides to move to the countryside, Eveline's longing desire.
However when they arrive to their new home, they realise that the life in the countryside is not as idyllic as they think: hard-work and a harsh coming winter, the leaking roof of the farmhouse and the almost non existent grass. On the other side, they meet Lily Morton, a soulful girl that is going to help them to settle down and steal Andrew's heart.
When the war starts in Europe, the German descendatn families start suffering the implications of their origin and people's discrimination because of that.
Showing the reality of the time, the author brings us a beautiful story of endurance and love, of sacrifice and loyalty, ofw hat people are capable to do for their family even in the darkest of times.
mail: ana.ovejero@gmail.com
instagram: ananbooks
twitter:@ananbooks1
With a promise of working in the railway,Andrew is going to work as a brakeman as his uncle. However, in the first day he sufferes a terrible accident that changes the prospects of his future life. His uncle decides to move to the countryside, Eveline's longing desire.
However when they arrive to their new home, they realise that the life in the countryside is not as idyllic as they think: hard-work and a harsh coming winter, the leaking roof of the farmhouse and the almost non existent grass. On the other side, they meet Lily Morton, a soulful girl that is going to help them to settle down and steal Andrew's heart.
When the war starts in Europe, the German descendatn families start suffering the implications of their origin and people's discrimination because of that.
Showing the reality of the time, the author brings us a beautiful story of endurance and love, of sacrifice and loyalty, ofw hat people are capable to do for their family even in the darkest of times.
mail: ana.ovejero@gmail.com
instagram: ananbooks
twitter:@ananbooks1
April 25, 2018
Why do women authors have to be too sexually explicit?
She had a fairly good story, not anything new, but ruined it with too much detail which was not necessary
She had a fairly good story, not anything new, but ruined it with too much detail which was not necessary
October 9, 2022
Wondrous Joy !
A great read about a young,courageous, man who lost his arm in a tragic,train accident.
His uncle blamed himself for the above and spent his life wanting forgiveness.
The man went to live on a run down farm with his new family and made his life into something incredible with the help of his nephews and his aunt
He also met the love of his life "Lily girl."
This story takes place during WWI and life was hard in the small community they lived in.Anyone with a German name was fair game.
You will find this an easy read and will be hoping for a great outcome,as the characters are easy to feel.for.
A great read about a young,courageous, man who lost his arm in a tragic,train accident.
His uncle blamed himself for the above and spent his life wanting forgiveness.
The man went to live on a run down farm with his new family and made his life into something incredible with the help of his nephews and his aunt
He also met the love of his life "Lily girl."
This story takes place during WWI and life was hard in the small community they lived in.Anyone with a German name was fair game.
You will find this an easy read and will be hoping for a great outcome,as the characters are easy to feel.for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2017
This is a Goodreads win review. This charming book is about German immigrants who move to Pennsylvania away for the city and out in the country.
January 12, 2020
This book is a great historical fiction. Slow at some points but very well written and worth the read if you like the historical fiction genre.
December 11, 2019
A beautiful and emotional novel about a family and its hardships and triumphs.
June 25, 2019
3 αστέρια για το βιβλίο αυτό που θα μπορούσε να έχει και τον τίτλο "Η εποποιία των Γερμανών μεταναστών στην Αμερική κατά τον πρώτο παγκόσμιο πόλεμο". Δεν ήταν κακό αλλά δεν σε συνέπαιρνε κιόλας. Η γραφή ήταν συμπαθητική και σου δημιουργούσε όμορφες εικόνες, αλλά μου έλειπαν στοιχεία για να το θεωρήσω πλήρες και ολοκληρωμένο και κυρίως το θέμα της στάσης και της θεώρησης της οικογένειας Κάιζερ απέναντι στη χώρα που τους είχε δεχθεί. Η συγγραφέας έδινε πολύ καλά και περιέγραφε την ψυχολογική κατάσταση των ηρώων σε σχέση με τη ζωή τους, τη δουλειά τους, την οικογένειά τους, τους δεσμούς αίματος, αλλά αυτό που ήταν βασικό στοιχείο της ιστορίας, δηλαδή η ψυχική στάση των μελών της οικογένειας Κάιζερ απέναντι στην Αμερική και στην επιθετική στάση των κατοίκων της πόλης στην οποία διέμεναν. Αυτό το ένιωσα ως έλλειψη και αν η συγγραφέας είχε αναλύσει αυτό το κομμάτι θα το είχα βρει πολύ πιο ενδιαφέρον και ολοκληρωμένο.
July 2, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The struggle to find love, happiness, and fulfillment of dreams is at the heart of this very well written novel of German immigrants finding their way in the Pennsylvania countryside. Andrew Houghton has no choice but to go down into the mines in order to support himself and his mother. She, however, is determined that her son will have the life he wants. Emotionally raw and poignant, this is a book to be savored slowly.
The struggle to find love, happiness, and fulfillment of dreams is at the heart of this very well written novel of German immigrants finding their way in the Pennsylvania countryside. Andrew Houghton has no choice but to go down into the mines in order to support himself and his mother. She, however, is determined that her son will have the life he wants. Emotionally raw and poignant, this is a book to be savored slowly.
September 26, 2017
Loved it! First book I've read by Harmony Verna and looking forward to her others. Loved her writing style. Not overly descriptive and a perfect flow. The characters and story line held in the early 1900's during the first war. She had me captivated and I had a hard time putting it down.
November 19, 2021
More a 1.5
There are way too many bad things happening to the characters in this book.
I suppose it can be realistic but were the writing to be positive, the characters endearing and hardship conquered, it would have been a lot easier to read this one. I was eager for it to end, actually.
There are way too many bad things happening to the characters in this book.
I suppose it can be realistic but were the writing to be positive, the characters endearing and hardship conquered, it would have been a lot easier to read this one. I was eager for it to end, actually.
April 10, 2018
I finished it. It was a bit overwrought in language and plot for my taste.
July 23, 2020
I had high hopes for this book, but couldn't finish it. The story started out fine, but just got worse and worse and it went on. This book just wasn't for me.
June 1, 2017
Harmony Verna weaves a raw and emotional tale of love and loss in her latest novel Beneath The Apple Leaves.
After losing his father in the mines, Andrew Houghton leaves his dreams behind and resigns himself to a life underground to provide for his mother and his self. Andrew’s mother, dismayed and disillusioned from her loss, is determined to save her son from a life of misery and back breaking work. Without Andrew’s knowledge she secures a position for her son as a railroad trainee under the supervision of her sister’s husband Wilhelm Kiser. Out of time and options Andrew accepts and is determined to make the best of his new job and a family he has never met. Leaving the coal patches behind Andrew heads to a new job and a new life in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Beginning this new existence is hard at first. The city is different from the coal community he left behind and Wilhelm is nothing like his father. Determined to learn fast and work hard Andrew is just starting to get comfortable when a catastrophic train accident severely injures his left arm leaving him an amputee. Guilt, distraction and anti-German sentiment due to the WW I leave Wilhelm unable to perform his job competently. When Wilhelm is fired he buys a farm and packs up Andrew and family and heads to the country in hopes of a new life.
Unfortunately difficulties abound on the farm in rustic Pa. The house has seen its better days as well as the land they hope to farm. Supplies are low and Wilhelm is forced to spend most of his reserves to buy animals, equipment and supplies. Andrew is frustrated with his body once strong and must learn to change and adapt in order to pull his weight and accomplish tasks. However, despite the fears and predicted failures not all is pain and drudgery. As the Kiser’s settle in Andrew meets and is immediately smitten with his neighbor Lily Morton. As time goes by Lily proves to be an asset to the Kiser family and a balm to Andrew’s heart. But Lily harbors secrets of her own. Secrets she fears could destroy any chance she and Andrew have of finding love.
Harmony Verna has created a novel full of raw emotion in Beneath The Apple Leaves with memorable characters the reader won’t soon forget. Andrew, whose heart was easily given was by far my favorite character. Sensitive, strong and caring Andrew gave all that he had to everyone holding nothing back. His love and devotion to Lily was pure and strong. It was a joy to watch their relationship grow and develop. Lily was my second favorite character with a heart as big as Andrew’s. The secrets she carried may have bent her, but they never broke her. Her love for Andrew and her sister Claire was sweet and delicate leaving me privileged to see it develop and unfold. And through the good times and bad, the Kiser family grew and developed into the people they needed to be in order to survive all the challenges rural life threw at them. Last, but not least is Frank Morton, my least favorite character. If ever a despicable character was created, it lived in the likes of Frank Morton. From the moment he appeared in the book I knew there was going to be heartbreak and trouble. Aside from memorable characters and a strong storyline the book did contain some cursing and some sexual content. Something to note for the reader.
Beneath The Apple Leaves by Harmony Verna is a powerful and impassioned story of love and loss with memorable characters that will stay with you long after you turn the last page
I would like to thank Kensington Books via NetGalley for an advanced copy of Beneath The Apple Leaves for a fair and honest review.
Book Matron
After losing his father in the mines, Andrew Houghton leaves his dreams behind and resigns himself to a life underground to provide for his mother and his self. Andrew’s mother, dismayed and disillusioned from her loss, is determined to save her son from a life of misery and back breaking work. Without Andrew’s knowledge she secures a position for her son as a railroad trainee under the supervision of her sister’s husband Wilhelm Kiser. Out of time and options Andrew accepts and is determined to make the best of his new job and a family he has never met. Leaving the coal patches behind Andrew heads to a new job and a new life in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Beginning this new existence is hard at first. The city is different from the coal community he left behind and Wilhelm is nothing like his father. Determined to learn fast and work hard Andrew is just starting to get comfortable when a catastrophic train accident severely injures his left arm leaving him an amputee. Guilt, distraction and anti-German sentiment due to the WW I leave Wilhelm unable to perform his job competently. When Wilhelm is fired he buys a farm and packs up Andrew and family and heads to the country in hopes of a new life.
Unfortunately difficulties abound on the farm in rustic Pa. The house has seen its better days as well as the land they hope to farm. Supplies are low and Wilhelm is forced to spend most of his reserves to buy animals, equipment and supplies. Andrew is frustrated with his body once strong and must learn to change and adapt in order to pull his weight and accomplish tasks. However, despite the fears and predicted failures not all is pain and drudgery. As the Kiser’s settle in Andrew meets and is immediately smitten with his neighbor Lily Morton. As time goes by Lily proves to be an asset to the Kiser family and a balm to Andrew’s heart. But Lily harbors secrets of her own. Secrets she fears could destroy any chance she and Andrew have of finding love.
Harmony Verna has created a novel full of raw emotion in Beneath The Apple Leaves with memorable characters the reader won’t soon forget. Andrew, whose heart was easily given was by far my favorite character. Sensitive, strong and caring Andrew gave all that he had to everyone holding nothing back. His love and devotion to Lily was pure and strong. It was a joy to watch their relationship grow and develop. Lily was my second favorite character with a heart as big as Andrew’s. The secrets she carried may have bent her, but they never broke her. Her love for Andrew and her sister Claire was sweet and delicate leaving me privileged to see it develop and unfold. And through the good times and bad, the Kiser family grew and developed into the people they needed to be in order to survive all the challenges rural life threw at them. Last, but not least is Frank Morton, my least favorite character. If ever a despicable character was created, it lived in the likes of Frank Morton. From the moment he appeared in the book I knew there was going to be heartbreak and trouble. Aside from memorable characters and a strong storyline the book did contain some cursing and some sexual content. Something to note for the reader.
Beneath The Apple Leaves by Harmony Verna is a powerful and impassioned story of love and loss with memorable characters that will stay with you long after you turn the last page
I would like to thank Kensington Books via NetGalley for an advanced copy of Beneath The Apple Leaves for a fair and honest review.
Book Matron
February 7, 2023
Beneath the Apples Leaves is set in Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh during WWI. It starts out with Andrew Houghton's father, who is a coalminer, vowing that his son will never work down in the mines. However, he is killed in a mine explosion when Andrew is a teenager. Although he does work in the mines for a short time, he is saved from that fate by his mother's sister, Eveline, persuading her husband to hire him on as an apprentice working for the railroad. However, in his first week on the job, he falls from the train losing an arm in the accident.
At this same time, anti-German sentiment has become very strong in the United States even towards people of German heritage who are citizens. Eveline's husband, Wilhelm, is forced from his job because of his last name of Kiser. With nowhere else to turn, he buys a farm since that is what Eveline has always wanted. However, the farm is in bad condition.
Tragedies continue to happen to the family and Andrew---some of them due to harrassment brought on by anti-German sentiments among the people. However, in the midst of all their difficulties, there is one bright light---Lily, a young woman who lives on a neighboring farm. Lily has a tragic history which threatens to destroy her but she and Andrew form a bond. I won't go any further to avoid spoiling it for others.
Although I felt the writing style was a little rough, I loved the plot of the novel.
It was so sad to read another reminder of how here in the US, we have mistreated another group of people.
At this same time, anti-German sentiment has become very strong in the United States even towards people of German heritage who are citizens. Eveline's husband, Wilhelm, is forced from his job because of his last name of Kiser. With nowhere else to turn, he buys a farm since that is what Eveline has always wanted. However, the farm is in bad condition.
Tragedies continue to happen to the family and Andrew---some of them due to harrassment brought on by anti-German sentiments among the people. However, in the midst of all their difficulties, there is one bright light---Lily, a young woman who lives on a neighboring farm. Lily has a tragic history which threatens to destroy her but she and Andrew form a bond. I won't go any further to avoid spoiling it for others.
Although I felt the writing style was a little rough, I loved the plot of the novel.
It was so sad to read another reminder of how here in the US, we have mistreated another group of people.
June 28, 2017
Beneath the Apple Leaves, Harmony Verna
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, General fiction, Historical
I hadn't read Daughter of Australia, but liked the sound of this.
Its a terrific read, very packed full of events, characters and incidents that feel so real, and some heartbreaking sorrow. It does have a HEA for the main two characters though :-)
Its so intense, so heartbreaking at times, that I read this in three installments instead of my usual straight through. Though I desperately wanted to know what came next, some of the events really pulled at me, the story got so real, so emotional that I needed a break.
Its one I would happily reread too, one that will stay with me for a long time.
Its set in US at the beginning of WW1, a time when it seemed like every country was at each others throats, and as still happens the media whip up hatred, minorities get spurned at best, murdered at worst by righteous feeling so-called "patriots". Yet these people are doing nothing except living their lives, struggling along with everyone else. They didn't start the war, but they and their families reap the hatred engendered by it. Pretty much as immigrants and Muslims do today in so many countries. I'm ashamed to say the UK is one of them...fake stories, media exaggeration and lies, and people turn into mobs, lose their compassion, do things that many of them wouldn't have dreamed of before.
Of course in this atmosphere some flourish, fan the flames of hatred, turn things to personal advantage and profit, and Frank Morton is one such man. A dangerous and powerful man to be on the wrong side of, and he's got there by some evil methods. He's married to Lily's sister Claire, a lovely lady but very scared, slightly childlike, simple minded, it seems and Lily does all she can to protect her. They have such a sad story, little good in their life until Andrew and his family come to live there.
Andrew is a solid character, full of strength, morality, fairness and compassion he's a true Gentleman. I loved him all the way through, he was a wonderful man.
His father hates the mines and vows Andrew will have a different path. Sadly though his plans fail, an underground explosion kills him, and as happened back then the house came with the job, so it was Andrew to the mine or 30 days to move out.
Andrews mother arranges for him to apprentice with her sister's husband on the railways and she goes back to Holland.
After all those things happening you'd think Andrew might have some luck, but he gets the reverse, is badly injured in an accident leaving him permanently disabled. Wilhelm feels guilty and can't stand the shame, so he leaves the job he loved, and takes the family to the farm.
He was brought up on one but vowed never to go back, but Eveline has always wanted to raise their children in the country, rather than the smog ridden city. The farm though turns out to be a wreck and the only good thing to come out of the move is Lily.
Its a beautifully written, wonderful love story, but a very rocky road to get there. There's tragedies, harassment, deliberate vandalism, anti German sentiments when the US gets involved in the war. At times it feels like if it can go wrong it will.
In among that though are the gems, the elderly couple who deliver baked goods, of different races who understand mindless prejudice, the Muellers, another local family who've worked hard and now have a prospering farm, the friendship between Andrew and their son Pieter, and of course the very tender, emotional, gentle romance between Lily and Andrew.
Its very much a romance of the time, nothing outward, nothing seen for a long while when they both hide their feelings thinking the other is too good. Even when they do finally let their feelings show its still a few careful glances, subtle touches, and very chaste kisses. Very much what would happen in those days.
Its a rocky path though, with lots of misunderstandings and some outright lies and evil manipulations by Frank, who doesn't approve. Lily is his, he wants full control over her and uses her love for Claire to keep it. He really is a nasty, vicious piece of work. Sadly he's the sort that do well in war-times.
Stars: five, an amazing read, tender and beautiful romance, and played out in a very realistic setting, characters and events that feel very genuine.
Reaching the finish I was sad to see these people go, though very happy at the final ending.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
May 5, 2018
Andrew and lily. The story majorly revolves around them. Though this novel involves growing romance between Andrew and lily but it shows the insecurity of both the protagonists and the dark sides they don’t reveal to each other. What’s more important to focus is the life pre world war and the calamities faced by the working class. The novel opens with a tragic note: Andrew a bright young boy who was told to follow his passions of becoming a veterinarian, Moses his father in a coal mine disaster and is forced to work in the coal mine until his mom sends him to work in the rail road where he loses his arm. The story shows the struggle of Germans in America as before the war they were blamed and mistreated. The novel also sheds a light on domestic violence and the sufferings lily had to endure to protect her sister Claire. I loved the significance of apple tree in this novel, I won’t say much but I loved this novel, my eyes welled up on reading the ending. Simply pure and beautiful like Andrew and lily.
August 13, 2021
The characters in this story endure hardships that seem unendurable. Living and working in a mining community with all the mine dangers and evils of the mine company requires a spirit that can make and break men, women and children. When the main character is enabled to leave the mining world by joining the family of his mother's sister, the reader has hope for him, but it is dashed when he has a terrible fall from a train.
The family then moves from a fairly prosperous existence to a run-down farm in a community which is antagonistic to the Germans during the WWI years. There is so much personal tragedy in this community that one could get discouraged from continuing to read the story.
But the good works out for them after facing many terrible events. I felt as if no-0ne could be able to live through so much adversity and survive intact emotionally. But the characters are so engaging that I wanted to follow their trials and see them succeed, and they do. Almost too good to be true, but still satisfying to see them come through.
A good read!
The family then moves from a fairly prosperous existence to a run-down farm in a community which is antagonistic to the Germans during the WWI years. There is so much personal tragedy in this community that one could get discouraged from continuing to read the story.
But the good works out for them after facing many terrible events. I felt as if no-0ne could be able to live through so much adversity and survive intact emotionally. But the characters are so engaging that I wanted to follow their trials and see them succeed, and they do. Almost too good to be true, but still satisfying to see them come through.
A good read!
June 18, 2024
After Andrew’s father passes away in a tragic accident, he is sent to live with his aunt, where tragedy continues to follow.
Andrew’s father vowed that Andrew’s life would be better than his, he promised that his life would not be spent underground. However, when he died, all Andrew’s hope and dreams turned to dust. His father would’ve never guessed that his son would lose his arm in a railroad accident or that he’d feel worthless while working on the farm with his uncle. He'd never have foreseen the awful prejudice that would be directed towards the Germans during the war and the hardships that followed. Yet, it’s because Andrew endured so much that he prevailed and life becomes worthwhile when he finds love with the girl next door.
A very much enjoyed this book, however, took off a few stars as the writing can be moderately vulgar. I didn’t appreciate the detailed descriptions of sexual scenes and thought it was unnecessary. You can get your point across without being crass. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the story itself and gave it 3 stars.
Andrew’s father vowed that Andrew’s life would be better than his, he promised that his life would not be spent underground. However, when he died, all Andrew’s hope and dreams turned to dust. His father would’ve never guessed that his son would lose his arm in a railroad accident or that he’d feel worthless while working on the farm with his uncle. He'd never have foreseen the awful prejudice that would be directed towards the Germans during the war and the hardships that followed. Yet, it’s because Andrew endured so much that he prevailed and life becomes worthwhile when he finds love with the girl next door.
A very much enjoyed this book, however, took off a few stars as the writing can be moderately vulgar. I didn’t appreciate the detailed descriptions of sexual scenes and thought it was unnecessary. You can get your point across without being crass. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the story itself and gave it 3 stars.
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