Steller's Orchid

by Thomas McGuire

In 1924, John Lars Nelson travels to the Shumagin Islands in the Gulf of Alaska. He tells people he is doing a botanical survey, but the real goal of his quest is a mysterious orchid described by a naturalist in 1741 and never again seen. During his journey, John Lars hitches a ride on a schooner whose bootlegger captain has a hidden past. John Lars also meets a young Aleut woman, Natasha Christiansen. She becomes his guide and leads him to question the validity of everything he thought he knew. Together, they reach Nagai Island where the search for the orchid comes to a violent conclusion.

200 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2019

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful find for me. It’s a historical novel primarily depicting Alaska in the early 1920s but also includes history beginning with the Russian Bering expedition in the mid 18th century. The novel’s device of the orchid goes back to the events of that expedition. Alaska, still Wild West in 1924, has Americans from the lower 48, people of recent European backgrounds and even some Chinese. All of these people have greatly impacted Native American life in mostly negative ways.

Steller’s Orchid begins with the narrator, a drifting student at Yale University. John Lars is hired by two people with “murky” credentials. His employers have a background in early 20th century China and claim to have some of Steller’s original letters. This sets off a search for the hitherto unfound Steller’s orchid. Poor naive John Lars is seduced by the shady lady as well as by the orchid. Susan Orlean’s 1998 book The Orchid Thief describes orchid collectors as obsessive fanatics still. I loved the descriptions of botanizing and collecting plants in the 1920s.

McGuire’s book depicts strange connections in this isolated land. Everyone has a “history” and everyone knows about each other. It’s filled with beautiful images of forest, sea and water. Those who are inexperienced need to grow up and become aware and competent to take care of themselves.

Different groups scrape by, often by illegally poaching protected animals, selling opium and illegal rotgut and generally abusing nature and the native people. There is physical threat to our narrator and the native woman who is trying to help him. Is the famed orchid a chimera and is it really worth something? The mystery becomes dramatic and the feel for this period in Alaska unbeatable.

[Ant Atoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inventive storyline! And the descriptions of the places in the far reaches of Alaska are very accurate - I can attest to that from having been to them myself. Really a great read.

[David Cohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGuire has given us a remarkable book: a gripping, deftly-told tale of intrigue and a somber philosophical musing, both wrapped up in an exquisite and eloquent love letter to the wilds of Alaska. I kept rushing through pages to find out what happened next, only to force myself to go back and revel in the quiet magic of McGuire's words: "A few stars were shining, more every minute. I tried to catch the moment at which a pinprick of light became visible against the darkening sky. Somewhere a flock of birds landed on the water with a sound like tearing silk." When I finally did set the book down at the end, I felt the need to sit a while in silence, to think and reflect and do justice to the beauty of both the words and the message its story contained.

[Ariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this gem at Fireside Books while passing through Palmer. I picked it up as a gift to give a friend based on the botanical nod to the storyline, but decided to read it first before sending it on. It was such a pleasant surprise to find a lovely story and Alaskan adventure. Lots of memorable quotes on life in the North that were worth saving. I always enjoy reading Alaskana during the long Alaskan winters. This is definitely a book you’ll enjoy whether you live in Alaska or have just always wanted to go. Finding Steller’s Orchid is exactly the reason to frequent local bookstores & avoid the Goodreads algorithms or Best Seller lists. This was a much better choice to read than what’s among the generic masses.

[Deborah Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in a long time!

I loved this book. I've spent a lot of time in the Arctic which, apparently, is quite similar to the Aleutians, as far as vegetation. So I loved walking among the flowers and over the spongy grasses. I found the story intriguing, and the characters — for the most part — compelling, whether modern or historic. I found the back and forth between today and years ago wonderful. Highly recommend!

[Anthony Crupi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellently written story woven through the time and adventure of Alaska spirit. Add this novel to your top-shelf of favorite books.

[Dave Atcheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well written Alaskan tale. I highly recommend it.