Le bruissement des feuilles

by Karen Viggers, Aude Carlier (Translator)

L'éblouissant retour de l'auteure de La Mémoire des embruns.

Mikki, dix-sept ans, vit coupée du monde depuis l'incendie qui a coûté la vie à ses parents. Sous le joug de son frère Kurt, un chrétien fondamentaliste, elle travaille comme serveuse dans leur restaurant et le soir, se rêve en héroïne de romans. Lors d'une escapade secrète en forêt, elle fait la rencontre de Leon, un gardien de parc naturel tout juste installé en Tasmanie. Les deux jeunes gens se donnent alors une mission extraordinaire : sauver les diables de Tasmanie de l'extinction.

Au coeur de paysages somptueux, le combat inoubliable d'une jeune fille pour protéger la nature et se sauver elle-même.

Karen Viggers revient avec un grand roman, véritable hommage aux réserves naturelles d'Australie, et nous livre une formidable histoire d'amitiéet de solidarité.

Genres: Fiction, Tasmania, Book Club, Contemporary, Mystery, Australia, Family

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2019

About the author

Karen Viggers was born in Melbourne, Australia, and grew up in the Dandenong Ranges riding horses and writing stories. She studied Veterinary Science at Melbourne University, and then worked in mixed animal practice for seven years before completing a PhD at the Australian National University, Canberra, in wildlife health from which she published numerous scientific papers.

Since then she has worked on a wide range of Australian native animals in many different natural environments.

She lives in Canberra with her husband and two children. She works part-time in veterinary practice, provides veterinary support for biologists studying native animals, and writes most days. Karen’s first novel, The Stranding, was published by Allen & Unwin in 2008 and her second novel, The Lightkeeper’s Wife, also published by Allen & Unwin will be released in February 2011

Reviews

[Kylie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found The Orchardist's Daughter to be an absorbing read, and an interesting look into some critical conservation issues that Tasmania is fighting. We follow the lives of those living in a small logging town in southern Tasmania, including Leon, a park ranger, surrounded by those whose livelihoods his job threatens, and Miki, who runs the local takeaway with her brother Kurt. Leon finds himself as an outsider in a town full of bullies, and struggles to integrate, but his challenges are nothing compared to Miki's, whose overprotective brother has strict rules about her behaviour, and she finds herself trapped inside her own house with no friends. As Leon and Miki set about finding the courage to change their circumstances, we learn about the plight of the poor Tasmanian Devils, with their facial tumours killing them off at unprecedented rates, and the logging of the forests, with the potential to leave nothing for future generations.
Karen Viggers obviously has a great love for the area, it's flora and fauna, and this really comes to the fore in this story. She writes with great sympathy about a growing problem. However it was with the characters themselves I struggled with, most of which are cliched, some totally over the top. In fact the only characters I felt any affinity with were Leon and his Grandpa, and this let the story down a bit for me. but all in all I found the Orchardist's Daughter to be a good read, with a strong message to tell.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sixteen-year-old Mikaela moved to the small timber town with her older brother Kurt after their parents were lost in a house fire. Miki grieved for her parents, but Kurt made a home for them behind the fish’n’chip shop which they ran. Being the only takeaway shop in town they were reasonably busy – but Miki didn’t get out except with Kurt when they went to the forest on a Monday. He kept her closeted inside – for her safety he said. Miki didn’t argue; she didn’t want to make him angry.

When Leon arrived to start his position as a Parks Ranger, he knew he wanted to make this place his home. His Grandpa was in a nursing home nearby, but he knew no one else. He’d left his parents at their property on Bruny Island where he’d lived most of his life – he knew it was time to get away as he and his father didn’t see eye to eye. Leon’s run-down old home was next door to young ten-year-old Max and his family. He soon found himself kicking the footy around with Max, who needed to work on his confidence. And Leon joined the local football team to meet some of the locals. He wasn’t sure how long it would take to be accepted though…

Miki was lonely, especially when Kurt was away in Hobart. She had her beloved books which had belonged to her mother, but she wanted more. Could she find a way to leave the shop, even just for a walk? Her feelings about her brother were changing; his anger and aggression were mounting – she didn’t know what to do. But trouble was coming, and Miki needed to find strength and resilience. Could she?

The Orchardist’s Daughter by Aussie author Karen Viggers is a beautifully written story of dominance, a need for freedom other than in the pages of a book, determination and a deep love of nature. Set among the eucalypts of southern Tasmania, Miki’s affinity to the forest, the Tasmanian devils, the majestic soaring eagles who nested in the forest – plus Leon’s love of those same forests which were in his blood – then the tense, gritty and breathtaking finish – all made for an excellent novel which I highly recommend.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started really well! I liked Leon as a character and loved the Tasmanian setting. I could see a good mystery developing regarding Miki and Kurt. All good so far.

As the story proceeded and we met more characters the abuse appeared, which is okay as a part of the whole story, but in The Orchardist's Daughter it took over the whole narrative. Domestic abuse, child abuse, bullying - even some unpleasant passages about cruelty to dogs. I found myself skimming which means I am not actually enjoying the book, just hurrying to get to the end.

I can still see why many people loved it. The chapters about the Tasmanian bush were very interesting and there was a good story there, just story spoilt for me by an excess of unpleasant characters.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magnificent book written by Aussie author Karen Viggers. This was one of those books where once you started it you didn’t want to put it down, but as I was coming closer to the end, I did put it down for a bit as I didn’t want the story to end as it was such a good story.

Mikaela lived a lonely and isolated life with her parents and brother on the family farm. She was home schooled, so there was no interaction with other children. Her father had strong views on certain issues such as men worked hard on the land and a woman’s place was in the home tending to chores around the home. The day a fire ripped through the house was the sad day Mikaela and her brother Kurt lost their parents. From that day on Kurt took charge and looked after his sister and together they started over once more. They worked side by side in a fish and chip shop and living behind the shop meant they never had to travel far for work. Once again Mikaela felt isolated, in fact she felt like a prisoner as Kurt wouldn’t allow her to go out at all only to go to work or when it suited him other than that he locked the door whenever he went out.

As time passed Mikaela was desperate to get outdoors and enjoy some sunshine, but it was not to be until she found a way which she had to keep secret from Kurt. Mikaela knew her brother was up to something, but she couldn’t work out what it was. Eventually Mikaela would discover the horrible truth of why her brother had kept her locked up and the secrets he had been hiding.

This story is set in Tasmania a place I visited not so long ago and I must say the descriptions throughout this book are spot on. A truly beautiful setting for a beautifully written story a story which covers a diversity of important issues. This truly was a captivating and intriguing read and one in which I thoroughly loved. Highly recommended.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orchardist’s Daughter is the fourth novel by Australian veterinarian and author, Karen Viggers. Parks Ranger Leon Walker has finally left his parents on Bruny Island to take up a position in a small southern Tasmanian logging town. He can still head back to mum if she needs him, but he’s hoping he can make a difference to the public’s attitude to conservation. And here he can visit Grandpa, maybe get him talking about family history a bit.

In the eighteen months since Mikaela Muller’s parents died in the fire that took their farmhouse, she and her older brother Kurt have worked hard in their Takeaway shop. Miki really misses their orchard and being close to the forest, but they’re saving to be able to afford another farm. Meanwhile, she and Kurt have Mondays in the forest: they tend their hives, and Miki can spend time watching the wedge-tailed eagles and marvelling at the ancient Swamp Gum.

Kurt and Miki are worried about the advance of the loggers and their destructive machines, and Miki wishes she could spend more time in her forest, something that makes her feel so good, but when Kurt goes to Hobart, he locks her in. He doesn’t like her talking to customers, but she sees what’s going on in the town, and has friends, even if she’s unaware of them. Ten-year-old Max, Leon’s neighbour, is one of her favourites, bright and enthusiastic, but lately he’s been behaving out of character.

What a wonderful story Viggers gives the reader. Three separate narrative strands give events from the perspectives of Miki, Leon and Max. And while some aspects may be predictable, several underlying mysteries will keep the reader guessing, and there are a few turns before a thrilling climax and a realistic ending.

Viggers touches on age-old issues including domestic violence and bullying, but also presents several aspects of the debate over logging versus conservation, and the problem of Facial Tumour Disease in Tasmanian Devils. The depth of her research into these subjects is apparent on every page, as is her love for Tasmania’s forests and her unique wildlife. Viggers also has a gift for descriptive prose: “a bushy beard like a nest of lichen draped from his chin” is just one example.

Her characters are certainly not stereotypes: they all display very human faults and weaknesses along with their generosity and good intentions. No doubt of particular appeal to many readers will be Grandpa, Max, Geraldine and Lily Moon. Readers unfamiliar with the work of this talented author will certainly be checking out her backlist after reading this brilliant novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen&Unwin

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

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4.5 stars
‘She thought how the land was made of many things: forest and heath, mountains and streams, plains lakes, clouds, sky. The land had layers. Like people. Like trees. Every element complemented the others, and every element was different. She liked how things came together to make a whole. A landscape. A country. A world. Everything was here.’

The Orchardist’s Daughter is a book that I have been eagerly awaiting. This new novel from Australian storyteller Karen Viggers is a beautiful tribute to Tasmania, its unique wildlife, old growth forests and pristine environment. Underneath, The Orchardist’s Daughter is a story of disconnection, belonging, friendship and survival. I was absolutely taken by this book, from the opening to the closing moments.

There are some stunning novels that have been inspired by and set in Tasmania. Since a trip I made to Tasmania in 2010, I have developed a sense of connection to this beautiful part of Australia. I can’t get enough of stories set in Tasmania! The Orchardist’s Daughter well and truly met my reading needs.

There are three main characters that form the lifeblood of The Orchardist’s Daughter. There is Miki, a teenager on the cusp of adulthood trying to find her place in the world. Miki is silenced and constrained by the tight rein her overly protective brother has placed her. Miki’s life is defined by the simple of joy of exploring the outside world when circumstances allow and her love for the written word, in particular classic books (a sub narrative strand I relished). Then there is Leon, a newcomer who is hoping to make a fresh start in his new role as a conservation officer. Finally, the book is also told through the eyes of Max, a ten year old boy, who comes from a dysfunctional family, defined by violence. As the story progresses, Max also becomes the subject of a local bully. These are diverse characters, but Viggers demonstrates the skill to get inside each of their heads with ease. Although the initial connection between these three contrasting characters seemed quite uncertain, and I wasn’t sure where Viggers was going to go with her protagonists, the developments made in terms of the narrative quickly dissolved any reservations I had.

Aside from the strong characterisation prevalent in The Orchardist’s Daughter, there are a range of themes that are handled with care and professional insight by Karen Viggers. From isolation, belonging, connection, comfort and courage, this plays out against a heartbreaking and a scathing insight into violence, coercion, submission and bullying. These are emotional and hard hitting themes, but Karen Viggers treads delicate ground, offering an honest and eye opening portrayal of issues that we tend to ignore. In fact, the role of the bystander struck me quite hard in this piece. So many people of the local town sat by and knew about Miki’s predicament, but did nothing. The role of character’s such as Leon and Geraldine were important, acting as a catalyst to bring about a process of change and support to Miki. Likewise, Leon acts as a big brother or buddy figure for Max, just as he is dealing with one of the hardest experiences a juvenile can face, bullying. All of these themes receive expert treatment by Karen Viggers, it is never presented in a sentimental, or preaching way.

Another aspect that I absolutely adored and connected to on another level was the conservation focus of The Orchardist’s Daughter. Viggers draws our attention to the conundrum between logging, forestry techniques and preservation. She takes an introspective and well rounded look into small town community perceptions. Viggers raises the possibility of tourism versus logging as a source of income for these old timber communities. However, the thread that I enjoyed most was the emphasis on the plight of the Tasmanian Devil. Viggers’ focus on the facial tumour issues plaguing these native creatures and Miki’s implicit connection to saving these creatures struck a chord. If you are a nature lover, expect to be dazzled by the bounty of descriptions around other native fauna, and the vivid depiction of the local scenery surrounding the backdrop of The Orchardist’s Daughter.

There is also an undercurrent of mystery and intrigue that flows through The Orchardist’s Daughter. We know that Kurt, Miki’s brother, is a bad seed and up to no good. This reaches crisis point in the final chapters of the novel. My pulse was beating so hard in these suspense scenes, which was executed just perfectly by Karen Viggers.

Tasmania truly comes alive through the stunning mode of storytelling executed by Karen Viggers. The book also raises some important questions around community perceptions, bullying, family violence, loneliness and understanding. The Orchardist’s Daughter is a novel I would recommend without reservation, it is a remarkable yarn left that a strong mark on my heart.

‘Turning to face the mountains where the clouds hung steely and low, Miki saw the faint suggestion of a rainbow. Real, or imagined through the mist of her tears, it didn’t matter. All she knew was that the river running through her. Like waters of the river up in the mountains, was rich and deep with life, anticipation and hope.’

*I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

The Orchardist’s Daughter is book #44 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.
Evocative descriptions of Bruny Island and the Tasmanian landscape, made this an interesting read. I especially loved the description of the Skywalk excursion. With the exception of Leon, his grandfather, Miki, Max and Geraldine, there are a lot of largely unlikeable characters and portrayal of a harsh lifestyle. As often happens, children learn from the examples they have around them, either in their own family of other townsfolk. Jaden is one who has learned from others in town how to be a sadistic bully. Kurt is another who is cruel and thinks only of himself and Mooney one who takes out his frustrations on his poor wife. Domestic violence, bullying and cruelty to animals are some of the issues covered.
The majority of the men drink too much and swear like troopers, so the language gets a bit much and not just the f word. Despite those negatives there is a good story hiding in there of a man trying to fit into a new place and environment, a young woman trying to break free from the constraints of the life imposed upon her, and a confrontation between views of greenies and those living a hard existence while relying on the logging industry. The information about the Tasmanian Devils and their preservation when faced with the problem of Facial Tumour Disease shows the author has put plenty of research in and her descriptions show she knows her location well.
As a result I enjoyed certain aspect of this novel but other things not so much. Largely I thought it was a rather depressing view of the people. I would have liked a little more balance. Although they do rally together when a child goes missing and the book does end on a positive note. While I found this beautifully descriptive in parts and the characters believable, I was still glad to get to the end and hanging out for something more feel good to read. This is an atmospheric read that did keep me turning the pages and manages to include a mystery and tense, dramatic scenes towards the end. With thanks to Allen&Unwin for my ARC to read and review.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one novel that has been worth the wait and anticipation. The Orchardist’s Daughter is a study on bullying and its insidious transition into domestic violence. Set against the backdrop of a town divided, logger versus conservationist, the old growth forests of Tasmania and the disease afflicted Tasmanian devils give evidence to the effects that humans have had on this once pristine environment. The main characters that drive this story are Leon, Miki, and Max. Leon is new to town, a park ranger who comes from a long family line of loggers. He’s instantly regarded with suspicion, nicknamed “Parkie” and subjected to bullying from some of the local loggers. Max is his neighbour, a 10 year old boy who feels as though he can never measure up to his father’s expectations, relentlessly bullied by an older boy who just happens to be the police sergeant’s son. Miki, 18 years old, is kept prisoner by her brother Kurt, forced to work in their takeaway business for nothing, locked in the house, not allowed to even step foot out of the front door of their shop, much less talk to customers. The constraint begins to wear thin, and she starts to sneak out when Kurt is not home, getting a taste of life and a growing yearning to be free. The lives of these three people intersect and the growing tension within the town begins to mirror events within their own lives.

‘But there was something off-beat about Miki. She was young but old at the same time, shy but direct, surprisingly observant. She’d been home-schooled – perhaps that was why she was a bit odd. Maybe she’d spent time watching birds because she hadn’t had other children to play with.’

The characterisation within this novel is excellent. Three very different people drive the narrative, but there are all of these extra characters that come to life on the page as well. To me, it was as though the author has framed Leon as a sort of agent of agitation upon the town. He’s an outsider who moves in and observes what’s going on, noticing all of these really bad things that people are turning a blind eye to. This is a novel that gets your mind churning, stirring up all of these ideas that can be funnelled down into a single question: At what point does abuse become everyone’s business? In the case of Miki, everyone was quietly talking to each other about Kurt treating her badly and locking her in, yet very few people actually reached out to Miki to offer support. In the case of Liz, who was very obviously being beaten by her husband, no one stood up for Liz, not even the police. Jaden, the boy who was bullying Max, was observed regularly harassing and physically assaulting other kids, yet he was never called out for it. Leon knew his father was hitting his mother, so instead of calling his father out for it, he made sure he was home as much as possible because his father only ever hit his mother when they were at home alone. It’s an uncomfortable reflection, to consider just how much bad behaviour people let slide when something is ‘not their business’.

‘Geraldine had given her this book for a reason: Miki saw that now. Geraldine wanted to give her the world, and she wanted Miki to strive for it.’

For Miki, whose life was extremely limited, books provided a window to the world, but her brother would not allow her to use a library or buy more books, so she only had a few. Geraldine, an intuitive woman who works for the visitor centre, recognises that Miki is in a dire situation and begins to lend her books, strategically selected to help inform and empower Miki, in the hopes that she may become courageous enough to leave her brother. There was this wonderful connection between Miki and each book she read, and she did learn something from each one, about herself and her own life within the context of what she was missing out on. Kurt, Miki’s brother, was a real piece of work. Brought up in a misogynistic household, he treated Miki appallingly, but he was also hideously rude to his customers. There’s this section in the novel where he suffers an illness and I will openly say here that I was crossing my fingers hoping that he would die. He was that awful. Unfortunately, Miki left it too late to really see him for all that he was. Her memories of him from their childhood as the brother who had taught her so many things clouded her judgement and prevented her from taking a stand against his bullying.

The Orchardist’s Daughter is beautifully written, an intersection of nature and humanity, a study of both the good and the bad within people. It’s honest and brutal, gentle and poetic, a real joy to read and linger over.

‘She stood at the end of everything, suspended over nothing but air, looking out across the landscape to smudges of cloud sliding along contours. Even way up here she could hear the roar of the water. It felt like she was on the edge of something much larger than herself. The river brought movement and scale. She could see into its black depths. She wanted to know what was higher up, where the landscape had collected all of this water. What was up in those misty hills? What would it be like to walk there, to struggle through the undergrowth, then climb and climb through the present and the past, to understand what the river and the world were made of?’


Thanks is extended to Allen and Unwin for providing me with a copy of The Orchardist’s Daughter for review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leon's arrival in the small, southern Tasmanian logging town signifies a new beginning; new home, new job, new life. He's looking forward to seeing more of his Grandpa, who is living in a nearby old people's home, but he knows it won't be easy gaining acceptance here, as the new Parks Officer in a town economically reliant on the forest.

Next door, 10yo Max watches his new neighbour moving in with guarded interest. A sensitive kid, he gets lots of tough love from his mum, but it's the approval of his dad that he really yearns for, and rarely gets. When Leon suggests they get together to work on his footy skills, Max thinks this might be a way to become the son he thinks his dad wants.

Meanwhile at the local takeaway shop, Miki works quietly and efficiently under the watchful, disapproving eye of her older brother Kurt. She's lived in the area her whole life, but is a relative newcomer to the town. Her sheltered life may have left her short of experience until this point, but she is smart and kind, and although she may not know it, she has many people in the town taking notice and looking out for her. Her favourite day of the week is Monday, when the shop is closed and Kurt takes her into the forest where she can spend time with her favourite tree; an enormous swamp gum, 90m tall. But Tuesday always follows Monday, and that's her loneliest day - the day Kurt locks her in at home while he goes to Hobart for his mysterious 'business'.

At times heartbreaking, but at others uplifting, I loved this story of freedom. I so badly wanted everything to turn out well for Leon, Max and Miki, and although the ending wasn't happy for everyone, it was at least hopeful.

This was the first time I've read anything by Karen Viggers, so I'm looking forward to seeing what else she's done.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review.

[Leon Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘As she read, she felt like she was fighting the swordfish with the old man, the line cutting into her hands. She loved the swordfish as he did. She saw the changing colours and moods of the sky and the sea.’

The Orchardist’s Daughter is such a beautifully written novel. Through different characters lives I enjoyed the delivery of the premise that we all have different iterations of entrapment - some more tragic than others - that keep us from our desires; from our life objectives. This was the theme which flowed throughout the novel.

Loveable characters like Max and Miki drew us into their world. Both of innocence trying to make sense of the harsh reality of growing up in a harsh environment. 'Villains' and 'heroes' were also portrayed realistically throughout the novel.

Although there were predictable moments - which were enjoyable - there were a couple of surprises in the end to ensure a favourable outcome.

It was wonderful to be transported to the Tasmanian highlands to learn about the logging industry - both past and present, the plight of the Tasmanian Devil, the friction delt to National Parks staff who inevitably live alongside their counterparts. The magic of the old growth forests was detailed in such a way that I am sure I could smell the mountain fresh air as I turned the pages!

Overall I really enjoyed The Orchardist’s Daughter, I enjoyed Karen Viggers’ writing style and I can see this novel also becoming a bestseller.

I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review.

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

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The Orchardist's Daughter by Karen Viggers. (2019).

16 year old Miki grew up isolated and homeschooled on an apple orchard in Tasmania. After a tragedy, she and her brother Kurt are running a takeaway shop in a timber town. Miki longs to make connections and spend more time on her beloved forest but Kurt locks her up like a prisoner while he leads his own secret life. When Miki meets Leon, another outsider, things slowly begin to change. But Miki must discover her strength and spirit.

This novel has a very strong underlying theme of conservation of both flora and fauna throughout. It is obvious the author has a real passion for the subject and I found it quite interesting and saddening to learn of the horrible disease suffered by many Tasmanian Devils. The forestry was described beautifully and sounded simply stunning. On the dark side, this story is full of bullies; there's little boy bullies, men perpetrating domestic violence, logging workers who bully "greenies" and park rangers and perhaps the biggest bully of all is Miki's brother Kurt. However readers will be pleased to know that the narrative centres around the victims of these bullies finding the strength and courage to overcome their situations. A well-written absorbing read that I enjoyed.

[Chloe Groom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contains spoilers, but trust me, I'm doing you a favour.

The book begins with a tragedy, a house fire in which the protagonist Miki and her evil brother Kurt's parents are killed. The cause of the fire is a mystery and the family have been living a hermit-like lifestyle of unnamed religious observance in rural Tasmania. It's an interesting enough premise and one that reminded me of Tara Westover’s excellent memoir, 'Educated'. Readers might think that these are the themes that the book is going to explore and indeed, that might have led to a much better book. Unfortunately, things head in a different direction.

Instead the siblings move to a small Tasmanian logging town to inexplicably give up their religion (a decision of Kurt’s that is unexplained and is accepted by Miki without question, despite religion apparently having being the foundation of her life to to that point) and start running a fish and chip shop. This happens in chapter 3 and by this point the book is already falling apart. Miki is kept as a slave by her brother Kurt but even this theme is explored only in passing.

Some other characters emerge, none of whom are particularly believable or likeable, especially when they open their mouths. (The dialogue in this book is truly terrible, amongst the worst I've ever read, and renders the characters unsympathetic and unbelievable.) The new parks ranger Leon finds himself drawn into battle with the local loggers, particularly on the football field. You can see a moral victory of sorts coming when the loggers want to cut down a protected tree, but this inevitability is so obvious it hurts.

The characters in the town are utterly unlikeable and any difficult issues that arise have magical solutions that void the need for plot development or proper characterization. Have a problem with domestic violence? Don't worry, your neighbours will ignore it for years and then miraculously solve it by talking to your husband. Bullied by the policeman's son? No problem, that can be solved by talking to the school principal. Need to get rid of a bunch of birthday cards from a mysterious relative your sister knows nothing about? Of course, you should burn down the entire building the cards are housed in! And perhaps most laughably of all, if you're kept in slave-like conditions by your brother but he happens to go to jail for running a meth lab and marijuana plantation, not to worry, there's sure to be a mysterious benefactor who's left you a generous allowance in her will.

Karen Viggers can't be blamed for writing this book, but her editor and publisher should hang their heads in shame for putting it in reader's hands in this state. I'm particularly perturbed by the number of five star reviews for this book that appear with a disclaimer that the so-called unbiased reviewers were rewarded with a free copy of the book (not that I would want one; I returned my copy to the shop and told the bookseller that it was the worst book I've read in years, and he readily agreed!). The publisher has obviously gone all-out to get this on the shelves without a decent edit (i.e. rewrite with a completely different focus and plot). Allen and Unwin are actually marketing the book with a sticker on the front stating, "Read it. Love it. Or your money back." If you feel the same way as me, I urge you to take advantage of this offer!

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/...

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘How did you recover from a loss so large you could barely believe it?’

South-east Tasmania provides the setting for this novel. Here, in a small timber town divided between those who want logging to continue and those who want to preserve the remaining forest, we meet three main characters who need to find their own place in the world.

Mikaela (Miki) was 16 years old when her parents were killed in a fire. She’d been home-schooled by her mother on the family orchard. Miki’s isolation continued when she and her older brother Kurt moved into town where, eighteen months later, they are running a small takeaway business.
Miki is kept a virtual prisoner by Kurt, unable to leave the building where they live behind the takeaway, except when Kurt takes her to the forest on Mondays to tend their bee hives. She would love to spend more time in the forest, to see the wedge-tailed eagles and the beautiful old trees. She would love to meet other people, to experience the outside world. But Kurt says she must stay inside, under lock and key when he is away, for her own safety.

Leon has moved to the town from Bruny Island. He’s stayed on Bruny Island to protect his mother from his father, but now his father is fragile, and Leon thinks he can safely leave. He’s descended from a long line of loggers, but he’s a park ranger. His grandfather lives in a nursing home nearby, but Leon knows no-one else in the town. Leon is an outsider, viewed with suspicion (at best) and bullied by some of the loggers. He tries to fit in by joining the local football team.

Max is 10 years old. He lives next door to Leon and is struggling under the weight of his father’s expectations. It doesn’t seem to matter what Max does, it never seems good enough. And it doesn’t help when his parents argue. But things get out of hand when Max is threatened and bullied by the police sergeant’s son.

There are plenty of issues woven through this novel: bullying, domestic violence, insecurity and insidious secrets. There’s also a fine appreciation of the natural environment: from the beautiful old trees to the rare wedge-tailed eagles, and the tragedy of the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Ms Viggers realistically depicts the tension between conservationists and the loggers. The loggers are fighting for economic survival in an environment with limited employment prospects and will resist any attempt to restrict logging even though they recognise sustainability issues. And there’s Kurt. Miki’s brother has secrets of his own.

I loved this novel for several different reasons. I enjoyed the finely depicted main characters, the sensitive handling of some difficult issues, and Ms Viggers’s keen appreciation of the country in which the novel is set. And then there were Miki’s books (‘Jane Eyre’, ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘Tess of the D’urbervilles’) which had belonged to her mother, Leon’s shift from Bruny Island (where readers of ‘The Lightkeeper’s Wife will remember him) and Max’s struggle to protect what is important to him. I could not put the book down.

There’s courage in this novel: breaking free from the past is never easy. There’s hope, too, that the bullying and the violence will be eradicated as people recognise what is happening. I finished this novel wondering what the future would hold for Miki, Leon and Max.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Patty Killion · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Let's just star off with the prologue of The Orchardist's Daughter:

Sixteen-year-old Mikaela has grown up isolated and home-schooled on an apple orchard in southeastern Tasmania, until an unexpected event shatters her family. Eighteen months later, she and her older brother Kurt are running a small business in a timber town. Miki longs to make connections and spend more time in her beloved forest, but she is kept a virtual prisoner by Kurt, who leads a secret life of his own.

When Miki meets Leon, another outsider, things slowly begin to change. But the power to stand up for yourself must come from within. And Miki has to fight to uncover the truth of her past and discover her strength and spirit.

Set in the old-growth eucalypt forests and vast rugged mountains of southern Tasmania, The Orchardist's Daughter is an uplifting story about friendship, resilience and finding the courage to break free.

All in all I found the Orchardist's Daughter to be a good read..I especially enjoyed the background of Tasmania. I have been suddenly drawn to Australian authors and their books. I did enjoy how Karen Viggers story attempted to show both sides of the story to logging and conservation. She touches on domestic violence showing the typical story of how men verbally and physically abuse both their children and their wives.

[Mecomenloslibros María Valero · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3,5/5⭐️ 
 
Leon es un joven guardabosques que decide irse de su pueblo buscando su independencia, pero sobre todo para alejarse de los problemas que tienen sus padres (y que no desean solucionar ninguno de los dos) Al llegar a otro pequeño pueblo, enseguida se hace amigo de su vecino de al lado: Max, un niño que lo recibe con los brazos abiertos buscando una figura paternal que su padre no es capaz de ofrecerle. 
 
Y por otra parte tenemos a Miki, una chica de apenas 17 años que vive con su hermano y cuya vida se reduce única y exclusivamente a la tienda de ultramarinos y comida rápida que ambos regentan. Su hermano mayor es muy protector con ella, no le permite hablar ni siquiera con los clientes. Pero ella necesita libertad para poder pasear por el bosque que tanto le gusta. 
 
Una historia preciosa, que te traslada directamente a esos bosques de Tasmania que tan bien están descritos. He buscado las localizadaciones y me he enamorado del país😍Sin duda, lo mejor es la ambientación. Incluso la fauna de la zona está presente y he conocido especies de mamíferos que ni sabía que existían 😅. 
 
Por otra parte, los personajes también me han resultado fascinantes. Al final del libro la autora ha conseguido que conozcas a todos los habitantes de ese pequeño pueblo y que incluso llegues a entender o perdones sus fallos y meteduras de pata. 
 
Durante toda la lectura y a pesar de que a algunos personajes secundarios me daban ganas de decirles cuatro cosas por sus horrendos comportamientos, he tenido una sensación como de paz. Y sin duda ha sido porque de verdad sentía la proximidad a ese bosque con árboles viejos. 
 
Una historia que refleja la necesidad de buscar cada uno su lugar en este mundo, de encontrar la paz para vivir felices y hallar la libertad para poder luchar por nuestros sueños. 
 
Muy recomendable si buscáis una novela dulce y pausada y disfrutáis con la descripción de paisajes. 

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as part of my aim to read more local author's works. Because of the title (xxx daughter) I was also under the misconception it was a historical fiction about a woman living under a man's shadow. One of the main protagonists is living under a man's shadow of violence but it's set in contemporary Tasmania, and it almost becomes a story about misogyny that is so repeated through time and through many of the character's experiences, it is like it is frozen in time.
Tassie is known for it's Apple Orchards (The Apple Isle) which seems to be a link to the title and the novel is divided into Sections titled Seeds, Germination, Growth, Understory, linking to the Old Growth Forests of Tasmania that have been extensively logged since Colonisation.
It is a completely captivating novel dealing with larger themes of working people (loggers etc) and conservation, along with the conflict and violence,particularly amongst families that underpins it.
There so much in it to recommend but two gorgeous parts of the story are the character's, Miki's, love of reading and the discovery of books and the protection of a Wedge tailed eagle's nest. Took me back to my own discovery of one of these enormous tangled platforms high in the branches of a gum tree deep in The Bush near Canberra.
It's a thoroughly entertaining read, I got so much more from it than I bargained for. I'd really like to see it win a few prizes. It's excellent.
Looking forward to reading more of Karen Vigger's work.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book by Karen Viggers. I thought at the beginning that I could see how it would end, but it didn't turn out how I expected, which was a nice surprise. I loved the descriptions of the Tasmanian bush and the Tassie devils - I've not been to Tasmania before, but the descriptions made me feel like I was there.

Some of the themes of the story were quite heavy - domestic abuse, manipulation, bullying - but they were really well dealt with, and despite the sombre themes, the story had an optimistic feel. This is my first 5★ read for 2019. There were some slightly loose ends that made me hesitate about whether to give it 4.5★ or 5★, however it was more that the resolution of the various threads of the story presented more questions, so I'm sticking with 5★. And I'm wondering whether some questions have been left unanswered for a second book...

I've read one other of Karen Viggers' books - The Grass Castle - and I think I enjoyed it at the time (it was about 18 months ago that I read it, but I gave it 4★), but I think this one has more depth to it and I feel like the author has definitely developed in the 5 years since she wrote that one.

Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin for the uncorrected proof I received.

ETA: Like another book that I read recently entitled "The ____'s Daughter", the orchardist of the title in this one is hardly pivotal to the story, and I don't understand why the fathers' occupation of these women is worthy of inclusion in the title! If the woman in this title is going to be referred to as being someone else's family member, a more appropriate title would be "The Takeaway Shop Owner's Sister" - but I can understand that doesn't have quite the same ring to it!

[Dawn Emsen-Hough · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a great fan of this book - I just think it was a bland story with a "nothing" ending. Harsh words and I'm sure there will be people who love this book, just not for me.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orchardist’s Daughter is a rich, no-holds-barred portrait of life in a small Tasmanian community, covering issues from environmental protection to domestic violence and emotional abuse (note some material may be triggering). It’s a far heavier read than I expected, but Viggers imbues her realism with just the right dose of hope to be empowering.

Nearly eighteen year old Miki lives under her brother’s thumb, locked in their house and unable to influence anything about her life, even which station is on the TV. At the same time, Leon moves into their logging community as an instant outsider – who could be more loathed by loggers than a park ranger? Both characters have their Rubicons to cross, but it’s their interactions in the small town community that form the heart of this story.

Viggers beautifully (and at times excruciatingly) captures the pressures, perks and quirks of small town life with the same natural ease as Chris Hammer in Scrublands – the town and its inhabitants feel impressively real. The community forms both the cause of conflict and the means to support resolution, showing the complex nature of human interactions. I felt uncomfortable with the dominant masculine culture of the town and its inhabitants – there are very few fathers/adult men who are likeable – but Viggers is shining a spotlight on the toxic environments that do exist, and the ways they can (and must) be altered.

I must admit I spent most of this novel in a state of anxiety for both Miki and Leon, which is a testament to Viggers’ writing and pacing. The dramatic climax is visceral and violent, but not gratuitous – rather, it feels necessary after the pressure-cooker of the build up.

The plot is laced with tension and conflict – Miki’s struggle for independence, Leon’s battle for acceptance; loggers versus conservationists, poverty versus principle – but I was especially moved by the subplot of Leon’s young neighbor Max, who experiences bullying and peer pressure that draws him away from the innocence and joy of his childhood. I was invested in all of these conflicts, and none felt superficial or glossed over, as they might in the hands of an inferior storyteller. But with Viggers,we’re in good hands. Notably, she gives great power to older characters – Leon’s grandfather and Geraldine at the community centre both have dramatic influences on events (vague, but I don’t want to spoil things!) which I adored!

But Viggers’ writing really shines when she’s describing the landscape – Tasmania’s old growth forests come to life under her compassionate hand, from their sprawl to their destruction. I was lucky enough to hear Viggers in conversation last week and she admitted “I have to write what is true to me and what is in my heart… And I’m at my best when I’m in a natural environment.” Her love for animals leaps off the page too, drawing attention to the plight of Tasmanian devils and other rare species, as much as the neglect of domestic pets.

My only gripe was with the title – while Miki is the eponymous daughter, I felt that Leon shared the spotlight as the novel’s protagonist. In many ways he’s the catalyst for change in the community and without his arrival other plotlines wouldn’t have been possible.

But overall The Orchardist’s Daughter is a vital, honest look at community, the environment and courage that you won’t regret picking up.

I received a copy of The Orchardist’s Daughter from Allen and Unwin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Recommended if you liked: All the Birds, Singing

[Natty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recently at a writers festival, where Karen Viggers was included on a panel and the facilitator while describing The Orchardist's Daughter mentioned it was very ominous and sad without mentioning the themes of hope that definitely ran through the book... It struck me as odd, as while I was about 60 percent of the way through at this stage, I did not feel this way about the story at all... The writing did capture a sense that a storm was brewing amongst the town where it is set and the characters within it, but I do not think it was a sad tale - there is strength, courage and hope in this book and it had me hooked.

Karen writes with such description I could feel myself among the Tasmanian forests where you could hear the Tasmanian devils roaming around the tip or see the wedge-tailed eagles ( one of my favourite birds of prey) soar, you could smell the freshness of the rain and the mud, one would often drag inside from the logging yards.

I really really really enjoyed this book for its beauty of landscape and wildlife - something that I love seeing and being a part of whenever I can and because of the story of taking your chance and fighting for it.

Surprisingly it is my first by this author, but guaranteed will not be my last... Love it when you
discover someone new to add your bookshelf and tbr pile..

It is with thanks to Allen & Unwin for my free review copy in exchange for my honest review...

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

... So, an interesting author, and The orchardist’s daughter is an interesting, enjoyable book. It is set in a small logging town in Tasmania, and has quite a formal structure, starting with a Prologue, followed by four parts – Seeds, Germination, Growth, Understorey – and ending with an Epilogue. It is told third person through the perspective of three characters – Miki, the titular orchardist’s daughter who is 17 years old for most of the novel; Leon, a Park Ranger, who is 25 years old at the novel’s start; and Max, a 10-year-old boy who is Leon’s neighbour. Miki and Leon are relative newcomers to the town, Miki arriving with her older brother Kurt to run the town’s takeaway shop after they lose their home, farm and parents in a fire, and Leon moving from his Ranger job on Bruny Island to the mainland. All three are outsiders and serve to illuminate the tensions existing in the town... For my full review, please check my blog: https://whisperinggums.com/2019/04/05...

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un magnifique roman se déroulant en Tasmanie. Une ode à la nature, la littérature, la solidarité et l’amitié. 3 personnages attachants amenant chacun un thème d’actualité. Léon, Max, et Mickaela sont des protagonistes marquants.
L’ecriture de Karen Viggers est comme toujours poétique, visuelle et atmosphérique tout en mêlant le suspens. Ajoutant une pointe de drame sans en faire de trop car c’est avant tout un livre lumineux. C’est observer la nature qui nous entoure d’un œil tout à fait différent que cela soit les animaux, les arbres, le soleil, le vent, la pluie.
C’est partager un moment avec des diables de Tasmanie, deux chiennes, des wallabys. C’est aussi jouer au footy tout en s’inquiétant de ce que l’orage couvre.
Cela aurait été un coup de cœur si la fin avait été un tout petit peu plus développée mais j’ai passé un excellent moment de lecture.
À lire par tous les passionnés de la nature, de la lecture ou simplement si on a envie de faire la connaissance avec la Tasmanie.

[Laurenna 's Adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce roman a été une vraie surprise ! Je ne pensais pas apprécier autant ma lecture. Encore une fois je sors de ma zone de confort et j'ai fait une très belle découverte. Le Bruissement des feuilles, c'est un roman autour de la nature principalement. Nous suivons trois personnages principaux, Miki, Leon et Max. Trois personnages très différents mais qui vont se retrouver unis par le destin.

Leon est le nouveau garde forestier de ce petit village de Tasmanie. Il fuit un passé houleux, un père alcoolique qui frappe sa mère ; et veut se reconstruire un quotidien loin de ça. Il y retrouve son grand-père, un ancien bucheron avec un sacré tempérament. Dans ce village, il a un jeune voisin, Max, un petit garçon qui est amoureux des animaux, et de sa petite chienne particulièrement. Malheureusement, son père est assez violent et peu tolérant avec elle et ses futurs chiots. Il trouve en Leon un allié de la vie et c'est un très beau lien qui se créé avec lui. Puis, dans le seul restaurant du village, il y a Miki. Miki est une jeune fille de 17 ans, qui vit complètement isolée du monde depuis sa naissance. Ses parents avaient des croyances assez extrémistes et vivaient en autarcie du monde. Depuis leur décès, son frère Kurt la garde isolée, enfermée, sauf pour ce qui est de travailler dans leur restaurant. Elle ne vit que par procuration dans les quelques romans qu'elle possède, et échange très peu avec les villageois, surveillée par son frère. Ils sont tous deux très proches de la nature qui les entoure et vont très souvent se promener dans un bout de forêt bien à eux, observer des espèces protégées, et créer un lien avec eux. Miki semble avoir un vrai don, notamment avec les diables de Tasmanie, menacés par une étrange maladie. Elle qui vit si éloignée de la vraie vie va petit à petit voir un vent de liberté souffler dans sa vie.

C'est une très belle histoire qui parle d'isolation, mais surtout d'espoir, de liens, de solidarité et de nature. L'autrice nous dépeint un patrimoine naturel menacé en Tasmanie, avec les deux côtés d'une même pièce. J'ai été prise dans cette histoire sans crier gare. J'ai voyagé en Tasmanie, qui est pourtant si loin de chez moi. Je me suis vraiment attachée aux personnages et à cette histoire qui est pleine de rebondissements inattendus. Je pense que le fait d'avoir plusieurs points de vue et plusieurs intrigues secondaires est nécessaire pour qu'il n'y ait pas de longueurs dans ce roman. C'est une intrigue parfaitement menée par l'autrice. À découvrir !

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/happyvalley...

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of abuse in this book which took a long time to resolve.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I broke two of my rules (no books where the title mentions wife, daughter or girl and no books whose covers feature women in frocks from the back). I broke them because I want to read more by local authors. I don't regret the choice but I did return unfinished 3 Stella Prize shortlist titles this week, so I regret the precious reading time.

The setting, rural southern Tasmania, was the best part of this book. The characters are cliched and the twists well telegraphed and everything is explained. A lot.

[Marieta · Rating 5 out of 5]

La verdad es que no tengo mucho que comentar de esta novela, porque me enganchó tanto que apenas tomé notas para poder hacer la reseña.

Lo que si que os puedo decir es que a lo largo de la historia podréis encontrar referencias a clásicos de la literatura como Orgullo y Prejuicio. Sinceramente, eso me ha gustado y me ha sorprendido.

Reseña completa en: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2IZBUFn...

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more but I found myself skim reading to get to the end to see what happened. It just seemed to take forever. It seemed like a whole community of weak, bullying individuals with nobody standing up to them. Things were too easily resolved in the end which was neither likely nor convincing. The title was misleading too as the girl’s father being an orchardist had no bearing on the story or her personality.

[Anthony Panegyres · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Really liked the themes and setting. Becomes engrossing too. Personally felt it a touch heavy handed at times, but it’s still an absorbing and strong Australian novel. Little disappointed by the ending, which I can only describe as twee. Parts throughout though are truly beautiful.

[Lesley Moseley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have to count it as a DNF as when I started to read yesterday, just couldn't continue. Went to the last few chapters, and found I could pick it up, there. SOOOO glad I didn't waste days plowing through this unrelenting portrayal of despair and violence.