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De oogstmeisjes
Londen, 2004. Journaliste Frankie groeide op bij haar oma Violet, tot de omstandigheden hen uit elkaar dreven. Inmiddels heeft ze haar grootmoeder, een beroemdheid in de society-wereld, al jaren niet meer gezien. Tot ze de opdracht krijgt een reportage over Violet te schrijven. Dan komt ze erachter dat bepaalde gebeurtenissen uit het verleden angstvallig door haar oma verborgen worden gehouden.
Somerset, 1940. Na een tragedie tijdens de Blitz ontvlucht de zeventien-jarige Violet Londen en sluit zich aan bij The Women's Land Army. Als 'oogstmeisje' wordt ze tewerkgesteld op het landgoed Winterbourne Orchard. Ondanks het zware werk en een tirannieke baas sluit ze hechte vriendschappen met de andere meisjes, tot er op een avond iets verschrikkelijks gebeurt, wat voor altijd verborgen moet blijven…
Somerset, 1940. Na een tragedie tijdens de Blitz ontvlucht de zeventien-jarige Violet Londen en sluit zich aan bij The Women's Land Army. Als 'oogstmeisje' wordt ze tewerkgesteld op het landgoed Winterbourne Orchard. Ondanks het zware werk en een tirannieke baas sluit ze hechte vriendschappen met de andere meisjes, tot er op een avond iets verschrikkelijks gebeurt, wat voor altijd verborgen moet blijven…
455 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
1303 people are currently reading
1625 people want to read
About the author
Nikola Scott
4 books127 followersNikola Scott started out in book publishing and worked as a crime fiction editor in America and England for many years. Turning her back on blood-spattered paperback covers and dead bodies found in woods, she sat down at her kitchen table one day to start her first novel — and hasn’t stopped writing since. Obsessed with history and family stories (‘How exactly did you feel when your parents gave the house to your brother?’) she is well-known – and feared – for digging up dark secrets and turning them into novels.
She is the author of the internationally bestselling MY MOTHER'S SHADOW, SUMMER OF SECRTS and THE ORCHARD GIRLS. Her fourth novel, THE LIFE I STOLE, about a young woman determined to become a doctor in 1950s England, is out now. All her novels have been translated widely around the world.
Nikola lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two boys (and a kitchen table).
Visit www.nikolascott.com for more information, or find Nikola on Instagram @nikolascottauthor, Twitter @nikola_scott and Facebook @NikolaScottAuthor.
Once a month, Nikola sends out a popular newsletter about writing, reading, book news, freebies and loads of therapeutic baking. Join in here if you’d love to be a part of it all: bit.ly/NikolaScottNews
She is the author of the internationally bestselling MY MOTHER'S SHADOW, SUMMER OF SECRTS and THE ORCHARD GIRLS. Her fourth novel, THE LIFE I STOLE, about a young woman determined to become a doctor in 1950s England, is out now. All her novels have been translated widely around the world.
Nikola lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two boys (and a kitchen table).
Visit www.nikolascott.com for more information, or find Nikola on Instagram @nikolascottauthor, Twitter @nikola_scott and Facebook @NikolaScottAuthor.
Once a month, Nikola sends out a popular newsletter about writing, reading, book news, freebies and loads of therapeutic baking. Join in here if you’d love to be a part of it all: bit.ly/NikolaScottNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
August 13, 2021
London 2004: Frankie didn't akways have it easy. Growing up motherless, she was raised by her grandmother, who loved her - and betrayed her. For years, the rift between them seemed irrepairable.
Somerset 1040: When seventeen year old Violet's life is ripped apart by the London Blitz, she runs away and joins the Women's Land Army. She wants nothing more than to leave her grief behind. But as well as the terror of enemy air raids, the land girls at Winterbourne Orchards face a powerful enemy closer to home.
I quite like a dual timeline story and this one doesn't disappoint. I loved both Frankie and Violet, they wwere both strong characters. Fraankie has a new job at The London Post. Violet had joined the Women's Land Army and worked at Winterbourne Orchards. Full of intrigue and historical information. The dual timeline is woven seamlessly together. It was hard to read at times due to the dementia Violet had. I really enjoyed this book but I think I prefered the part set in 1940 just a little bit better.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #NikolaScott for my ARC of #TheOrchardGirls in exchange for an honest review.
Somerset 1040: When seventeen year old Violet's life is ripped apart by the London Blitz, she runs away and joins the Women's Land Army. She wants nothing more than to leave her grief behind. But as well as the terror of enemy air raids, the land girls at Winterbourne Orchards face a powerful enemy closer to home.
I quite like a dual timeline story and this one doesn't disappoint. I loved both Frankie and Violet, they wwere both strong characters. Fraankie has a new job at The London Post. Violet had joined the Women's Land Army and worked at Winterbourne Orchards. Full of intrigue and historical information. The dual timeline is woven seamlessly together. It was hard to read at times due to the dementia Violet had. I really enjoyed this book but I think I prefered the part set in 1940 just a little bit better.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #NikolaScott for my ARC of #TheOrchardGirls in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2021
This was a compelling, historical narrative that shone a light on the less glamourous side of the war. Focusing on the land girls, I had always imagined them as per the propaganda: shiny, happy girls that settle into their new family whilst working the land. However, Scott portrays the darker side of the working conditions, probably forever tainting my concept of this group of hard-working women.
A dual timeline, this book follows Frankie and her grandmother. In present day, Frankie has moved to a new job at the fast-paced newspaper The London Post. However, when on the first day it is revealed that the company is having a re-structure, we see the stakes are raised between the journalists. Old friends move away from Frankie and loyalties are tested, especially when it is revealed that Frankie has some quite high connections. Under pressure to get a story from her reclusive, media-distant grandmother, Frankie has to stand up against her new boss, even if it means her job is at risk.
Yet, as we start to know Violet, we realise that her relationship with Frankie has become rather distant. Through Frankie’s narrative, the reasons for this estrangement become sadly clear. Frankie and Violet have to put their differences aside as her grandmother needs her more and more. From this tentative relationship, Frankie starts to learn more about Violet’s role as a land girl, complementing the narrative switching to 1940.
I think I was more interested in the 1940 narrative, although I liked how Scott interlinked the two together, particularly in the closing chapters. Escaping the London Blitz and her mother, Violet heads down to Somerset to work the land. As a land girl, she makes close friends with her fellow workers, but they are not actually united for work reasons, but because of the farmer, who is a tyrant with chilling behaviours. Learning more about Violet’s land girl experiences, we see how the girls were mistreated – denied pay, denied rewards and targeted by other critics. It created a rather sad and isolating experience, something I had never considered before.
As I read more of this book, I found I was increasingly immersed in the story. It was clear that something bad happens on the farm but Scott takes a while to establish the circumstances first. The characters in the 1940 narrative were all rather interesting and I think it is clear that the writer has undertaken a lot of research for this period. Violet’s character is admirable as she strives to make a difference and I loved the relationship that is developed between her and Marigold.
I could not have predicted how this beautifully-written story would unfold. Although there are some obvious developments because of the historical period, I loved how readers get to learn so much about Violet’s time on the farm. It was so interesting to read and I found I grew frustrated when the narrative switched to present day, so keen was I to find out what happened next to Violet!
This is my first read from Scott and I was certainly not disappointed. It was a vivid piece of writing and definitely one of my favourite of this genre so far this year. I felt a bit empty when the story had finished and thought that more escapades could have been detailed about the war period. However, with a book that is nearly 500 pages long already, I can understand why the writer did not extend this further!
This novel is perfect for readers interested in the Second World War and who like the historical narrative broken up with present day interludes. Don’t be dissuaded by the length of the story as, once you get started, you’ll barely notice the number of pages and will consume the chapters eagerly.
With thanks to Headline Review, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A dual timeline, this book follows Frankie and her grandmother. In present day, Frankie has moved to a new job at the fast-paced newspaper The London Post. However, when on the first day it is revealed that the company is having a re-structure, we see the stakes are raised between the journalists. Old friends move away from Frankie and loyalties are tested, especially when it is revealed that Frankie has some quite high connections. Under pressure to get a story from her reclusive, media-distant grandmother, Frankie has to stand up against her new boss, even if it means her job is at risk.
Yet, as we start to know Violet, we realise that her relationship with Frankie has become rather distant. Through Frankie’s narrative, the reasons for this estrangement become sadly clear. Frankie and Violet have to put their differences aside as her grandmother needs her more and more. From this tentative relationship, Frankie starts to learn more about Violet’s role as a land girl, complementing the narrative switching to 1940.
I think I was more interested in the 1940 narrative, although I liked how Scott interlinked the two together, particularly in the closing chapters. Escaping the London Blitz and her mother, Violet heads down to Somerset to work the land. As a land girl, she makes close friends with her fellow workers, but they are not actually united for work reasons, but because of the farmer, who is a tyrant with chilling behaviours. Learning more about Violet’s land girl experiences, we see how the girls were mistreated – denied pay, denied rewards and targeted by other critics. It created a rather sad and isolating experience, something I had never considered before.
As I read more of this book, I found I was increasingly immersed in the story. It was clear that something bad happens on the farm but Scott takes a while to establish the circumstances first. The characters in the 1940 narrative were all rather interesting and I think it is clear that the writer has undertaken a lot of research for this period. Violet’s character is admirable as she strives to make a difference and I loved the relationship that is developed between her and Marigold.
I could not have predicted how this beautifully-written story would unfold. Although there are some obvious developments because of the historical period, I loved how readers get to learn so much about Violet’s time on the farm. It was so interesting to read and I found I grew frustrated when the narrative switched to present day, so keen was I to find out what happened next to Violet!
This is my first read from Scott and I was certainly not disappointed. It was a vivid piece of writing and definitely one of my favourite of this genre so far this year. I felt a bit empty when the story had finished and thought that more escapades could have been detailed about the war period. However, with a book that is nearly 500 pages long already, I can understand why the writer did not extend this further!
This novel is perfect for readers interested in the Second World War and who like the historical narrative broken up with present day interludes. Don’t be dissuaded by the length of the story as, once you get started, you’ll barely notice the number of pages and will consume the chapters eagerly.
With thanks to Headline Review, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2023
I-am dat 4 ⭐, dar pentru mine cred ca a fost mai mult un 3.5 ⭐ A fost o lectura ok, destul de captivanta, insa a avut multe scene de care nu stiam cum sa scap si sa trec mai departe. Mi s-a parut ca povestea a scartait de multe ori, iar finalul a venit prea brusc. Iar cele doua planuri narative (1940 vs. 2004) au fost destul de ambiguu alternate. In sensul ca mi-a atras mai mult atentia ce s-a întâmplat in trecut, decat in prezent. In prezent, autoarea aduce multe personaje fade, discutii care nu cred ca isi aveau rostul. Mi-ar fi placut sa fie o carte mai scurta si sa mai taie din detalii inutile. Mi-a placut de Violet, dar a avut multe momente in care a fost naiva. Iar relatia dintre ea si Frankie...nu stiu, dar mi s-a parut ca nu a fost cum mă așteptam. Dar cititi-o, nu o evitati. Este ok, doar ca pentru mine nu a fost o carte de top.
October 7, 2024
Nota 3.5
La volumul acesta m-a atras titlul si coperta in prima instanta. Ulterior mi-a captat atentia povestea lui Violet, curajul, razvratirea ei, durerea si puterea ei. Pe de alta parte povestea lui Frankie m-a cam dezamagit, prea naiva, credula, facand greseli prostesti, din punctul meu de vedere a stricat finalul, facandu-l abtupt si absurd pe alocuri.
La volumul acesta m-a atras titlul si coperta in prima instanta. Ulterior mi-a captat atentia povestea lui Violet, curajul, razvratirea ei, durerea si puterea ei. Pe de alta parte povestea lui Frankie m-a cam dezamagit, prea naiva, credula, facand greseli prostesti, din punctul meu de vedere a stricat finalul, facandu-l abtupt si absurd pe alocuri.
October 30, 2022
Een dikke ontspannende drie
September 4, 2021
1 enjoyed this book although the references to dementia made me feel a little uncomfortable as having close relatives suffer with this disease brought it all back. But, i loved the rest of this story very much. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 12, 2023
התלבטתי אם לקרוא את הספר הזה, כי מיציתי ספרים שנעים בין ההווה לעבר בתקופת מלחמת העולם השנייה וחושפים סודות מהעבר. אני שמחה שבכל זאת התעקשתי לקרוא, כי זה ספר מרתק.
פרנקי היא עיתונאית צעירה שעוברת ללונדון אחרי שקיבלה עבודה בעיתון הלונדון פוסט. היא נשלחת לסקר אירוע צדקה ושם היא פוגשת את סבתה, ויולט. פרנקי ניתקה בכעס את הקשר עם ויולט לפני עשור, ועכשיו - כשהיא מגלה שוויולט החלה לסבול מדמנציה - היא מחליטה לחדש את הקשר ולטפל בוויולט.
במקביל העלילה נעה לעבר של ויולט כפועלת חקלאית בצבא הפועלות שהוקם באנגליה בתקופת מלחמת העולם השנייה, כדי למלא את חסרונם של הגברים שגוייסו. זהו פן פחות מוכר של התקופה, ובכך הספר חידש ועניין יותר מספרים אחרים בסגנון.
סיפור העבר מרתק וכתוב מצויין.
בהווה, סיפור הקשר של פרנקי וויולט כתוב בצורה מרגשת ונוגעת ללב.
החלק החלש בספר הוא העלילה שעוסקת במקום העבודה של פרנקי. כל פעם כשהגעתי לקטע בנושא, התחשק לי לדלג. בעיני תככי מערכת העיתון, לא תרמו כלום לעלילה.
בסך הכל ספר מאוד מעניין שנהניתי לקרוא.
פרנקי היא עיתונאית צעירה שעוברת ללונדון אחרי שקיבלה עבודה בעיתון הלונדון פוסט. היא נשלחת לסקר אירוע צדקה ושם היא פוגשת את סבתה, ויולט. פרנקי ניתקה בכעס את הקשר עם ויולט לפני עשור, ועכשיו - כשהיא מגלה שוויולט החלה לסבול מדמנציה - היא מחליטה לחדש את הקשר ולטפל בוויולט.
במקביל העלילה נעה לעבר של ויולט כפועלת חקלאית בצבא הפועלות שהוקם באנגליה בתקופת מלחמת העולם השנייה, כדי למלא את חסרונם של הגברים שגוייסו. זהו פן פחות מוכר של התקופה, ובכך הספר חידש ועניין יותר מספרים אחרים בסגנון.
סיפור העבר מרתק וכתוב מצויין.
בהווה, סיפור הקשר של פרנקי וויולט כתוב בצורה מרגשת ונוגעת ללב.
החלק החלש בספר הוא העלילה שעוסקת במקום העבודה של פרנקי. כל פעם כשהגעתי לקטע בנושא, התחשק לי לדלג. בעיני תככי מערכת העיתון, לא תרמו כלום לעלילה.
בסך הכל ספר מאוד מעניין שנהניתי לקרוא.
June 30, 2021
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Oh I do so love a dual timeline tale, particularly those set during WW2, and even moreso when there is a tangible thread through which the interwoven stories move seamlessly. While it took me a while to become fully immersed within the story, before things became really interesting, once it did I was completely absorbed. THE ORCHARD GIRLS really crept up on me as I didn't know what to expect but this foray into the past through a mind that is slowly declining is so beautifully written that I was swept smoothly between the past and the present.
London and Somerset 1940: Seventeen year old Violet Etherington yearns to break free of the constraints from which her mother has her tethered. There may be a war on, but that's no reason to let social niceties slide and abandon any future prospects of a husband, for which a woman like Violet is bred. Her mother has lined up the boorishly dull Edward Forester and Violet cannot think of anything worse. So when they attend a society wedding at the Wentworth, she finds herself having to dance with Edward much to the delight of her mother. But when Edward asks if they may have a moment as he has something of importance to say, Violet panics and rushes out into the night with her cousins Romy and Duffy.
But the streets of London in September 1940 was not a safe place to be and as an air raid siren sounds, the three of them rush to find the nearest shelter. They could see the orange glow of the whole East End ablaze and still the Germans were coming back for more. But that night would be a turning point for Violet, changing her and her outlook from there on in.
In the wake of tragedy, Violet's mother decides that they are moving to Yorkshire for the remainder of the war...however long that will be. But Violet doesn't want to go to Yorkshire, so with Duffy's help she makes her escape to the country and joins the Women's Land Army, settling at Winterbourne Orchards in Somerset.
Under the pseudonym of Lily Burns, Violet accepts her new normal, which is far from the smiling posters she'd seen plastered across London, and she soon discovers the harsh reality of working under the brutal hand of overseer Mr Hardwick. The conditions in which the girls must live are near appalling, on straw beds in a cold and draughty barn in which they are locked every night. Not to mention the impossible requirements Hardwick imposes on them, changing the rules as he goes so that they never see the light at the end of the tunnel. He punishes them all for the fault of one, withholding their pay, their mail and making them work late so that they miss their days off. He threatens them that if they complain he will only make it worse for them.
The only light the women have is little 8 year old Marigold, whose family own the orchards that Hardwick oversees. She joins them daily saying little but enjoying their company and even working alongside them. The little girl is starved of love and human companionship in the wake of the death of her older brother Oliver in the battlefields. Her other brother Guy has returned after an injury invalided him out to run Winterbourne Orchards though all he does is shout at her while her mother barely notices her existence.
Then one night, the workers and the Land Girls gather for a celebration to mark the end of the harvest and a much-needed rest. But a tragedy is to come as Violet recognises the stuttering drone of enemy aircraft making their way across the skies towards them. Bonfires are doused and lights extinguished but it's too late as bombs rain down on the fields surrounding them. Will they get out of this alive?
London 2004: It's Frankie O'Brien's 28th birthday though she doesn't really celebrate them anymore. Not since her grandmother Violet Etherington and her father Harry's attempts to outdo the other in celebrations for her. And definitely not for the past ten years since she walked out of her grandmother's house in Belgravia for the last time. But today, she celebrates with her friends Con and Bea as the three of them are starting their new jobs at The London Post. Little do they know what to really expect of the shamelessly cut-throat business.
As soon as her new boss Hugo learns of her link to reclusive socialite Violet Etherington, he demands she get an interview with her as well as the dirt on one of her friends, recently the focus of a highly publicised and messy divorce. When she fails, he has Con throw something together but puts her name to it not as Frankie O'Brien...but as Francesca Etherington. It's clear from the start that Hugo wants to captialise on Frankie's link to Violet and the Etherington name.
But Frankie has bigger concerns after meeting her grandmother again after the ten year estrangement. Although their relationship is strained at best, Frankie cannot help but notice changes in her staunch and stoic grandmother when she sees flashes of panic along with a vague and vacant look on her face. But nothing prepares her for what she sees when she lets herself into Cavendish House after Violet was found wandering vaguely in the park. Notes posted everywhere as if to serve a reminder to her grandmother should she forget. Close the blinds, shoes here, put milk in fridge, one teabag only, turn off hob. And then signs on doors to various rooms - my room, bathroom. And the truth slowly dawns on Frankie. No. Not her grandmother. Not her strong capable grandmother.
Despite their strained relationship, Frankie moves back into Cavendish House. She reinstates the housekeeper her grandmother had let go for fear that she would notice the changes in her and she organises for someone to be with her at the times when Frankie is in the office. When she comes across a photo of four women identifying them as Kit, Joan, Red and Lily, Frankie recognises her grandmother immediately but not the names on the back. She tries coaxing the information out of her grandmother's lifelong friend Jools but she refuses to say anything.
And then the unthinkable happens. Hugo sees the photo and recognises its value and demands Frankie write a story on the Land Girls and her grandmother's time with them, dredging up as many secrets as she can. And if she doesn't, then Con will. But Frankie wants to protect her grandmother and honour her wishes to keep her failing mind out of the public eye. How can she do that when her job security relies on her delving into the secrets of the past and bringing them to light in the present?
But nothing will prepare Frankie for what she is about to discover...
As much as I enjoyed THE ORCHARD GIRLS, reading about the cut-throat behaviour of the media newsroom angered me on Frankie's behalf as much as Hardwick's appalling and brutal treatment of the Land Girls made my skin crawl. The injustice of both aspects made for uncomfortable reading at times but it was Violet's decline into the early stages of dementia that were the most difficult. I doubt there is a person on earth who hasn't been touched or affected by dementia and memory related frailties. It is so widespread and so completely devastating. While I didn't care for the newsroom politics and bitchiness, I found myself completely absorbed within Violet's story both in the past and the present. And what was the secret she and her friends had guarded for over six decades?
The story unfolds through Violet and Frankie's narrative in 1940 and 2004 respectively and is expertly woven together seamlessly. The rich cast of characters throughout both timelines are well developed and add a real depth to the story. There were particularly some love-to-hate characters which gave it that edge and keeps you turning the pages. Full of intrigue and historical detail, THE ORCHARD GIRLS is a gem of a book. It expertly handles the difficult subject of dementia as well as some other darker elements throughout with sensitivity.
Superbly written, THE ORCHARD GIRLS is my first time reading this author and I would put her up there with Lorna Cook and Kathleen McGurl with her cross-genre of contemporary women's fiction and historical.
I would like to thank #NikolaScott, #Netgalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #HeadlineFiction for an ARC of #TheOrchardGirls in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Oh I do so love a dual timeline tale, particularly those set during WW2, and even moreso when there is a tangible thread through which the interwoven stories move seamlessly. While it took me a while to become fully immersed within the story, before things became really interesting, once it did I was completely absorbed. THE ORCHARD GIRLS really crept up on me as I didn't know what to expect but this foray into the past through a mind that is slowly declining is so beautifully written that I was swept smoothly between the past and the present.
London and Somerset 1940: Seventeen year old Violet Etherington yearns to break free of the constraints from which her mother has her tethered. There may be a war on, but that's no reason to let social niceties slide and abandon any future prospects of a husband, for which a woman like Violet is bred. Her mother has lined up the boorishly dull Edward Forester and Violet cannot think of anything worse. So when they attend a society wedding at the Wentworth, she finds herself having to dance with Edward much to the delight of her mother. But when Edward asks if they may have a moment as he has something of importance to say, Violet panics and rushes out into the night with her cousins Romy and Duffy.
But the streets of London in September 1940 was not a safe place to be and as an air raid siren sounds, the three of them rush to find the nearest shelter. They could see the orange glow of the whole East End ablaze and still the Germans were coming back for more. But that night would be a turning point for Violet, changing her and her outlook from there on in.
In the wake of tragedy, Violet's mother decides that they are moving to Yorkshire for the remainder of the war...however long that will be. But Violet doesn't want to go to Yorkshire, so with Duffy's help she makes her escape to the country and joins the Women's Land Army, settling at Winterbourne Orchards in Somerset.
Under the pseudonym of Lily Burns, Violet accepts her new normal, which is far from the smiling posters she'd seen plastered across London, and she soon discovers the harsh reality of working under the brutal hand of overseer Mr Hardwick. The conditions in which the girls must live are near appalling, on straw beds in a cold and draughty barn in which they are locked every night. Not to mention the impossible requirements Hardwick imposes on them, changing the rules as he goes so that they never see the light at the end of the tunnel. He punishes them all for the fault of one, withholding their pay, their mail and making them work late so that they miss their days off. He threatens them that if they complain he will only make it worse for them.
The only light the women have is little 8 year old Marigold, whose family own the orchards that Hardwick oversees. She joins them daily saying little but enjoying their company and even working alongside them. The little girl is starved of love and human companionship in the wake of the death of her older brother Oliver in the battlefields. Her other brother Guy has returned after an injury invalided him out to run Winterbourne Orchards though all he does is shout at her while her mother barely notices her existence.
Then one night, the workers and the Land Girls gather for a celebration to mark the end of the harvest and a much-needed rest. But a tragedy is to come as Violet recognises the stuttering drone of enemy aircraft making their way across the skies towards them. Bonfires are doused and lights extinguished but it's too late as bombs rain down on the fields surrounding them. Will they get out of this alive?
London 2004: It's Frankie O'Brien's 28th birthday though she doesn't really celebrate them anymore. Not since her grandmother Violet Etherington and her father Harry's attempts to outdo the other in celebrations for her. And definitely not for the past ten years since she walked out of her grandmother's house in Belgravia for the last time. But today, she celebrates with her friends Con and Bea as the three of them are starting their new jobs at The London Post. Little do they know what to really expect of the shamelessly cut-throat business.
As soon as her new boss Hugo learns of her link to reclusive socialite Violet Etherington, he demands she get an interview with her as well as the dirt on one of her friends, recently the focus of a highly publicised and messy divorce. When she fails, he has Con throw something together but puts her name to it not as Frankie O'Brien...but as Francesca Etherington. It's clear from the start that Hugo wants to captialise on Frankie's link to Violet and the Etherington name.
But Frankie has bigger concerns after meeting her grandmother again after the ten year estrangement. Although their relationship is strained at best, Frankie cannot help but notice changes in her staunch and stoic grandmother when she sees flashes of panic along with a vague and vacant look on her face. But nothing prepares her for what she sees when she lets herself into Cavendish House after Violet was found wandering vaguely in the park. Notes posted everywhere as if to serve a reminder to her grandmother should she forget. Close the blinds, shoes here, put milk in fridge, one teabag only, turn off hob. And then signs on doors to various rooms - my room, bathroom. And the truth slowly dawns on Frankie. No. Not her grandmother. Not her strong capable grandmother.
Despite their strained relationship, Frankie moves back into Cavendish House. She reinstates the housekeeper her grandmother had let go for fear that she would notice the changes in her and she organises for someone to be with her at the times when Frankie is in the office. When she comes across a photo of four women identifying them as Kit, Joan, Red and Lily, Frankie recognises her grandmother immediately but not the names on the back. She tries coaxing the information out of her grandmother's lifelong friend Jools but she refuses to say anything.
And then the unthinkable happens. Hugo sees the photo and recognises its value and demands Frankie write a story on the Land Girls and her grandmother's time with them, dredging up as many secrets as she can. And if she doesn't, then Con will. But Frankie wants to protect her grandmother and honour her wishes to keep her failing mind out of the public eye. How can she do that when her job security relies on her delving into the secrets of the past and bringing them to light in the present?
But nothing will prepare Frankie for what she is about to discover...
As much as I enjoyed THE ORCHARD GIRLS, reading about the cut-throat behaviour of the media newsroom angered me on Frankie's behalf as much as Hardwick's appalling and brutal treatment of the Land Girls made my skin crawl. The injustice of both aspects made for uncomfortable reading at times but it was Violet's decline into the early stages of dementia that were the most difficult. I doubt there is a person on earth who hasn't been touched or affected by dementia and memory related frailties. It is so widespread and so completely devastating. While I didn't care for the newsroom politics and bitchiness, I found myself completely absorbed within Violet's story both in the past and the present. And what was the secret she and her friends had guarded for over six decades?
The story unfolds through Violet and Frankie's narrative in 1940 and 2004 respectively and is expertly woven together seamlessly. The rich cast of characters throughout both timelines are well developed and add a real depth to the story. There were particularly some love-to-hate characters which gave it that edge and keeps you turning the pages. Full of intrigue and historical detail, THE ORCHARD GIRLS is a gem of a book. It expertly handles the difficult subject of dementia as well as some other darker elements throughout with sensitivity.
Superbly written, THE ORCHARD GIRLS is my first time reading this author and I would put her up there with Lorna Cook and Kathleen McGurl with her cross-genre of contemporary women's fiction and historical.
I would like to thank #NikolaScott, #Netgalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #HeadlineFiction for an ARC of #TheOrchardGirls in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 23, 2022
This was not a good book. The story was barely about the war, nothing good about the big secret, didn't have a decent love story (even though Frankie was the product of it!); the story drug on and on. I hate to quit on a book but was struggling with almost 4 hours of reading time left to get to the end. Do not recommend.
July 6, 2021
Having enjoyed Nikola’s books before, it has been a long wait for a new book but worth it. The Orchard Girls doesn’t disappoint.
Beginning in 1940’s London during the blitz, young, and rather naive debutante Violet Etherington makes a decision that will have devastating consequences and is one that she will never forget. Trying to escape her overbearing mother and to feel as though she is doing something worthwhile, she signs up to join the Women’s Land Army as Lily Burns. The work and living conditions are hard, and they face hostility from the village. Even in the country, they can’t escape the war, and before their time at Winterborne Orchard in Somerset is at an end, Violet and her WLA friends will be the holders of a terrible secret.
Told over two timelines, by Violet and her granddaughter Frankie, the story of Violet’s past is gradually revealed, and what a tumultuous one it is. In the present day, newspaper journalist Frankie O’Brien has been rumbled as Violet’s granddaughter by her editor and has the unenviable task of being under extreme pressure to get a story from her by now, reclusive elderly grandmother, who is rather well known for her campaigning career. However it is clear that Violet’s state of mind is not up to dealing with her past and Frankie also has to come to terms with her own troubled relationship with Violet.
The two timelines are seamlessly woven together but of the two main characters Violet was my favourite. Her time with the WLA certainly gave her strength of character from the unworldly young girl that first joined up, whereas in contrast I found Frankie less able to stand up for herself and suffering with her own confidence issues. I really hoped that she wasn’t going to throw Violet under a bus for the sake of a story even if her job was under threat. I did feel sorry for her, as she wasn’t given an easy time by her colleagues but I did hope that she would just stand up to her awful boss and say No.
The Orchard Girls is a sweeping story with depth and a little darkness that I found totally engrossing. Violet and her Land Army friends were the stars of the show for me and the research required to tell their story clearly shows through – it was clear that being a Land Army worker was no easy choice with challenging working conditions! There are many themes covered, some troubling – including dementia, however they are done with sensitivity. As ever, Nikola Scott writes superbly with characters so beautifully drawn and a vivid sense of place. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Beginning in 1940’s London during the blitz, young, and rather naive debutante Violet Etherington makes a decision that will have devastating consequences and is one that she will never forget. Trying to escape her overbearing mother and to feel as though she is doing something worthwhile, she signs up to join the Women’s Land Army as Lily Burns. The work and living conditions are hard, and they face hostility from the village. Even in the country, they can’t escape the war, and before their time at Winterborne Orchard in Somerset is at an end, Violet and her WLA friends will be the holders of a terrible secret.
Told over two timelines, by Violet and her granddaughter Frankie, the story of Violet’s past is gradually revealed, and what a tumultuous one it is. In the present day, newspaper journalist Frankie O’Brien has been rumbled as Violet’s granddaughter by her editor and has the unenviable task of being under extreme pressure to get a story from her by now, reclusive elderly grandmother, who is rather well known for her campaigning career. However it is clear that Violet’s state of mind is not up to dealing with her past and Frankie also has to come to terms with her own troubled relationship with Violet.
The two timelines are seamlessly woven together but of the two main characters Violet was my favourite. Her time with the WLA certainly gave her strength of character from the unworldly young girl that first joined up, whereas in contrast I found Frankie less able to stand up for herself and suffering with her own confidence issues. I really hoped that she wasn’t going to throw Violet under a bus for the sake of a story even if her job was under threat. I did feel sorry for her, as she wasn’t given an easy time by her colleagues but I did hope that she would just stand up to her awful boss and say No.
The Orchard Girls is a sweeping story with depth and a little darkness that I found totally engrossing. Violet and her Land Army friends were the stars of the show for me and the research required to tell their story clearly shows through – it was clear that being a Land Army worker was no easy choice with challenging working conditions! There are many themes covered, some troubling – including dementia, however they are done with sensitivity. As ever, Nikola Scott writes superbly with characters so beautifully drawn and a vivid sense of place. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 1, 2021
This story was a strong 3 stars for me.
With a slow build up, my interest started about 150 pages in, and this is where it gets to the real grit of the story.
Introduced within 2 timelines, Violets story begins as a young land girl during WW2 where she lives and works under a fake ID just to escape her sharp tongued mother and the scary blitz back home in London.
Violet learns so much during her time working, it is certainly not all fun and games like those films make us believe.
A cast of wonderful strong females come together, and through difficult and cruel times, they find love in eachother, friendship and understanding.
It's not long before Violets wild side is explored, and ends up being tangled in something complicated that even she can't handle more of.
Meanwhile in present day 2004 - violet and her granddaughter Frankie struggle to rekindle their relationship.
I don't feel the book necessarily needed a dual voice, loved Violets story and much preferred the 1940s chapters.
Some thrilling scenes, dramatic in all the right places, really worth reading for fans of WW2 based fiction.
With a slow build up, my interest started about 150 pages in, and this is where it gets to the real grit of the story.
Introduced within 2 timelines, Violets story begins as a young land girl during WW2 where she lives and works under a fake ID just to escape her sharp tongued mother and the scary blitz back home in London.
Violet learns so much during her time working, it is certainly not all fun and games like those films make us believe.
A cast of wonderful strong females come together, and through difficult and cruel times, they find love in eachother, friendship and understanding.
It's not long before Violets wild side is explored, and ends up being tangled in something complicated that even she can't handle more of.
Meanwhile in present day 2004 - violet and her granddaughter Frankie struggle to rekindle their relationship.
I don't feel the book necessarily needed a dual voice, loved Violets story and much preferred the 1940s chapters.
Some thrilling scenes, dramatic in all the right places, really worth reading for fans of WW2 based fiction.
June 11, 2021
This beautifully written novel is so expertly plotted that the reader is swept smoothly and seamlessly from 1940’s London and Somerset to present day London and back again. Full of intrigue, fascinating historical detail and brilliant characterisation, I had no idea what was coming next. I loved Violet and Frankie and the exploration of their complicated relationship, routing for both of them all the way to the unexpected and gratifying end. A truly fabulous novel!
April 18, 2023
3.5⭐️ I enjoyed this one, but it didn’t wow me. I wanted more about Frankie’s father and a bit more of a twist I guess. Still enjoyable though 😊
October 22, 2021
I tried really hard to get into this book. I read reviews from others that said the book had a slow start, so I continued reading. But, I gave up half way through the book - it never grabbed my attention & never kept my interest.
September 8, 2022
I loved "Summer of Secrets" and was hoping to love this one. I'm sorry to say that I didn't. I have given it 3 stars, but that's me being kind. I would probably give it more like 2.5 if I could.
September 4, 2021
Nikola Scott is a relatively new author, her books have been on my ‘must read’ list for a long time, but alas this is the first of her books I have read. I am at a loss as to why it has taken me so long to finally read this author, her writing is so beautiful and enriching, I love the way she meticulously entwines the two eras which creates a poignant and sweeping tale of loss and love.
I found it very easy to fall under the spell of The Orchard Girls, its gentle pacing pulled me into the story from the first page. I have always loved time-slip novels, which is one of the reason’s I was very eager to read this and with it partly set during WW2 this sounded like my kind of book and I am so happy to say that The Orchard Girls did not disappoint.
The Orchard Girls is told across two timelines with Violet in the 1940s and Frankie in the present day, I love the way that both women are connected and how each of their stories is told, the way that each era interlinks with the other is so clever and beautifully done. Some duel timeline novels can feel a little jumbled but this one is perfectly written you just fall into the story and the lives of these two amazing women.
The story opens in the 1940s during the London Blitz, we follow Violet who yearns to do something worthy and help the war effort – plus to escape her dragonish mother so she joins the Women’s Land Army, but as her family is very well known she joins under a false name as Lily. I love the description of how hard life was as a Land Girl, it wasn’t the easiest way to help the war effort plus not to mention the way the villagers treat them which I thought was awful – these young women are doing something to help and they get treated in such a hostile way. As Violet makes friends with her fellow Land Army girls something happens and they are all left holding on to a terrible secret. Now, I’m not going to divulge that as it is crucial to both parts of the story.
Present-day Violet granddaughter Frankie is a journalist whose editor has got wind of a story that has got Frankie on the job, she must infiltrate her grandmother mind and retrieve the shocking truth of her past, a job which is harder said than done as Violet has locked away her past never to be remembered again. Violet has become a reclusive shutting herself away, there is a lot of questions over Violet’s state of mind, and there are fractions between the two woman. Frankie’s intruding behaviours was very hard to read, I found her hard to warm to at first, I know she was only trying to do her job but still. Once you learn her own story and the factors behind her relationship with her grandmother she soon becomes very endearing.
This isn’t the typical historical fiction, there are lots of underlying themes which run side by side to the story for example dementia which I found very emotional to read, especially as we lost my grandmother to this awful decease, but Nikola Scott has written those moments with the utmost sensitivity and care.
Overall The Orchard Girls is a highly emotional and engaging read, which will leave its mark upon your heart well after closing the last page. Well worth a read for any who loves historical fiction and duel timelines.
I found it very easy to fall under the spell of The Orchard Girls, its gentle pacing pulled me into the story from the first page. I have always loved time-slip novels, which is one of the reason’s I was very eager to read this and with it partly set during WW2 this sounded like my kind of book and I am so happy to say that The Orchard Girls did not disappoint.
The Orchard Girls is told across two timelines with Violet in the 1940s and Frankie in the present day, I love the way that both women are connected and how each of their stories is told, the way that each era interlinks with the other is so clever and beautifully done. Some duel timeline novels can feel a little jumbled but this one is perfectly written you just fall into the story and the lives of these two amazing women.
The story opens in the 1940s during the London Blitz, we follow Violet who yearns to do something worthy and help the war effort – plus to escape her dragonish mother so she joins the Women’s Land Army, but as her family is very well known she joins under a false name as Lily. I love the description of how hard life was as a Land Girl, it wasn’t the easiest way to help the war effort plus not to mention the way the villagers treat them which I thought was awful – these young women are doing something to help and they get treated in such a hostile way. As Violet makes friends with her fellow Land Army girls something happens and they are all left holding on to a terrible secret. Now, I’m not going to divulge that as it is crucial to both parts of the story.
Present-day Violet granddaughter Frankie is a journalist whose editor has got wind of a story that has got Frankie on the job, she must infiltrate her grandmother mind and retrieve the shocking truth of her past, a job which is harder said than done as Violet has locked away her past never to be remembered again. Violet has become a reclusive shutting herself away, there is a lot of questions over Violet’s state of mind, and there are fractions between the two woman. Frankie’s intruding behaviours was very hard to read, I found her hard to warm to at first, I know she was only trying to do her job but still. Once you learn her own story and the factors behind her relationship with her grandmother she soon becomes very endearing.
This isn’t the typical historical fiction, there are lots of underlying themes which run side by side to the story for example dementia which I found very emotional to read, especially as we lost my grandmother to this awful decease, but Nikola Scott has written those moments with the utmost sensitivity and care.
Overall The Orchard Girls is a highly emotional and engaging read, which will leave its mark upon your heart well after closing the last page. Well worth a read for any who loves historical fiction and duel timelines.
June 14, 2021
The Orchard Girls crept up on me. I started reading without knowing what to expect, and before long I was completely hooked. The story is told from two timelines, Somerset in 1940 and London in 2004. 1940 sees socialite Violet rebel against the constraints of her lifestyle after a quick decision has devastating repercussions for her. Running away from home, she joins the Women’s Land Army under a pseudonym. She happily accepts the discomfort of the role, until she sees the bigger picture and how her fellow women are suffering.
Fast forward to 2004 and we meet Frankie, Violet’s granddaughter who has been transferred to work as a journalist for a large circulation newspaper. Frankie has been estranged from Violet for over 10 years, and their relationship is strained when they are thrown back together. Despite their damaged relationship, Frankie soon realises that Violet is having memory issues and needs help.
I found this to be a difficult read at times, I’d be surprised if there are many people who haven’t been affected by dementia and memory related frailties. I found myself completely absorbed by this story and particularly enjoyed the slow release of the dark secret that Violet and her friends had guarded for over 60 years. The descriptions of life in the Land Army were gritty and I found myself hoping that this was not the case for all women, seeking out a way to contribute to the war effort.
In 2005, I stopped reading newspapers and glossy magazines, the modern-day story line confirmed that I had made the right decision. The push to get a story at the expense of Violet’s privacy was distasteful and exactly what I loathe about the mainstream media. Scandal sells!
Following both timelines, I found a rich cast of characters, each adding real depth to the story. Personally, I found Jools to be the stand-out character, her joie de vivre mixed with a burning desire for equality, made her quite special. I could happily go on and on about this book, but I avoid spoilers so will draw a line here. I must add that this is a gem of a book. It expertly handles difficult subjects and never feels mired by the darker elements.
Fast forward to 2004 and we meet Frankie, Violet’s granddaughter who has been transferred to work as a journalist for a large circulation newspaper. Frankie has been estranged from Violet for over 10 years, and their relationship is strained when they are thrown back together. Despite their damaged relationship, Frankie soon realises that Violet is having memory issues and needs help.
I found this to be a difficult read at times, I’d be surprised if there are many people who haven’t been affected by dementia and memory related frailties. I found myself completely absorbed by this story and particularly enjoyed the slow release of the dark secret that Violet and her friends had guarded for over 60 years. The descriptions of life in the Land Army were gritty and I found myself hoping that this was not the case for all women, seeking out a way to contribute to the war effort.
In 2005, I stopped reading newspapers and glossy magazines, the modern-day story line confirmed that I had made the right decision. The push to get a story at the expense of Violet’s privacy was distasteful and exactly what I loathe about the mainstream media. Scandal sells!
Following both timelines, I found a rich cast of characters, each adding real depth to the story. Personally, I found Jools to be the stand-out character, her joie de vivre mixed with a burning desire for equality, made her quite special. I could happily go on and on about this book, but I avoid spoilers so will draw a line here. I must add that this is a gem of a book. It expertly handles difficult subjects and never feels mired by the darker elements.
July 6, 2021
I love books that take me on a journey to the past. Especially a past that I had little knowledge about and this book did that for me. I really enjoyed this story. I especially loved the switching between the time periods and learning about Violet's past I do not think every author has that ability to do that skillfully enough to make a story interesting so this aspect for me was good. Frankie was a very interesting I think readers will connect with her personality on many levels. This is the type of story that should play out on the screen as a movie or a TV series. Fans of Historical Fiction would be thrilled with the detail of the time period. I am certainly appreciative of the learning that I gained with this story that I now have a renewed interest in learning more about life during the war years.
All in all a great story, A must read.
All in all a great story, A must read.
June 7, 2022
This was my first Nikola Scott novel and I thought it was a truly wonderful read. It was highly emotional throughout, very engaging and it’s certainly left its mark on me despite me having closed the book.
Scott meticulously writes a duel timeline, split between 1940 and 2004 and entwines both sweeping stories of poignant loss and love.
The 1940’s storyline follows Violet and her experiences as a land girl at Winterbourne Orchards which shifted my knowledge and opened my eyes to the unseen horrors of that era considerably. The 2004 story follows Frankie and her difficulties of being accepted in a new role as a journalist.
If you enjoy historical fiction and duel timelines then this is well worth a read!
Scott meticulously writes a duel timeline, split between 1940 and 2004 and entwines both sweeping stories of poignant loss and love.
The 1940’s storyline follows Violet and her experiences as a land girl at Winterbourne Orchards which shifted my knowledge and opened my eyes to the unseen horrors of that era considerably. The 2004 story follows Frankie and her difficulties of being accepted in a new role as a journalist.
If you enjoy historical fiction and duel timelines then this is well worth a read!
November 10, 2021
Een score van 3.5
Het verhaal was in mijn ogen iets te langdradig en traag op gang komend. Meer naar het einde toe vond ik het beter en vandaar ook nog de 3.5
Ik had meer verwacht van het boek maar het leest wel heel vlot
Wel een aanrader als je graag past present verhalen leest
Het verhaal was in mijn ogen iets te langdradig en traag op gang komend. Meer naar het einde toe vond ik het beter en vandaar ook nog de 3.5
Ik had meer verwacht van het boek maar het leest wel heel vlot
Wel een aanrader als je graag past present verhalen leest
December 25, 2023
This was an excellent read! I love ed the characters, and there were several important twists right up to the end. It was a great picture of WWII women at work in the Land Army and also a great picture of a young woman's struggle to find her way in modern journalism.
June 5, 2023
Love books where women deal and survive adversity.
July 16, 2025
Wel 3,5 sterren waard. Goed verhaal, mooi en vlot geschreven. Maar op sommige momenten een beetje langdradig
September 9, 2021
Dit boek was niks voor mij.mega irritante "bij-personen", een obstinate oma en het verleden verhaal vond ik unheimisch.
July 26, 2024
I liked the story and the writer's voice. I was never on the edge of my seat or felt like I couldn't put the book down. It was an enjoyable read. Historical fiction regarding Great Britain during WWll.
May 14, 2021
I adored Nikola Scott's 'Summer of Secrets' so I was delighted to be given the chance to read an advance copy of 'The Orchard Girls'.
This is an excellent dual timeline page-turner switching between WW2 London and Somerset and modern-day London - brought together beautifully with some deft and clever story-telling. People who love historical fiction naturally tend to prefer the historical bit, I too found the story set in the past had a very slight edge but I enjoyed both narrators and plots immensely - especially the way they entwined. Nikola Scott's writing is more twisty than a twisty thing - full of delicious: 'oh, it's him!' 'and 'oh no, not hims'. I particularly loved the portrayal of life as a land-girl - The Orchard Girls demonstrates it wasn't all rosy-cheeked young women having a fine old time in the countryside. Sometimes the work was brutal, and those in charge even more so... And in the modern-day section, I especially loved reading about the pressures of working in the media, and of course main character, Violet's, troubles. I remember Summer of Secrets was really spot-on about difficult family relationships, The Orchards Girls was too, and I will always love Nikola Scott's wonderful use of language. Massively recommended. Not just for historical fiction fans.
This is an excellent dual timeline page-turner switching between WW2 London and Somerset and modern-day London - brought together beautifully with some deft and clever story-telling. People who love historical fiction naturally tend to prefer the historical bit, I too found the story set in the past had a very slight edge but I enjoyed both narrators and plots immensely - especially the way they entwined. Nikola Scott's writing is more twisty than a twisty thing - full of delicious: 'oh, it's him!' 'and 'oh no, not hims'. I particularly loved the portrayal of life as a land-girl - The Orchard Girls demonstrates it wasn't all rosy-cheeked young women having a fine old time in the countryside. Sometimes the work was brutal, and those in charge even more so... And in the modern-day section, I especially loved reading about the pressures of working in the media, and of course main character, Violet's, troubles. I remember Summer of Secrets was really spot-on about difficult family relationships, The Orchards Girls was too, and I will always love Nikola Scott's wonderful use of language. Massively recommended. Not just for historical fiction fans.
June 10, 2021
I was excited by the blurb as I do enjoy a duel time-line novel, especially those set during WWII. I think it's the historical facts which crop up during the telling that really captures my interest. So I was delighted to find The Orchard Girls telling the story of a group of Women's Land Army girls.
The story flips between 1940 Somerset where socialite Violet has run away from her overbearing mother and joined the WLA, and modern day London where Violet's granddaughter Frankie, a journalist, is piecing together her grandmother's story for an article she does not want to write.
It took me a time to become truly immersed in the story, and I found Violet's story far more interesting than Frankie's modern day excavation of the truth. The historical details made the story for me.
The story flips between 1940 Somerset where socialite Violet has run away from her overbearing mother and joined the WLA, and modern day London where Violet's granddaughter Frankie, a journalist, is piecing together her grandmother's story for an article she does not want to write.
It took me a time to become truly immersed in the story, and I found Violet's story far more interesting than Frankie's modern day excavation of the truth. The historical details made the story for me.
February 13, 2024
No, sorry, not for me
This was the one novel about a story from back in the time of WW2 that simply didn't cut it for me.
The story telling is incredibly dull, the action is slow and characters are plainly put, forgettable. Nothing relevant happens. By mid-book, the reader only gets hints about what could happen. Both Violet and Frankie, the main characters, are boring even when they don't get along.
So, mid-book I decided that my life is way too short to be wasting it on Nikola Scott. Needless to say, can't recommend this book.
This was the one novel about a story from back in the time of WW2 that simply didn't cut it for me.
The story telling is incredibly dull, the action is slow and characters are plainly put, forgettable. Nothing relevant happens. By mid-book, the reader only gets hints about what could happen. Both Violet and Frankie, the main characters, are boring even when they don't get along.
So, mid-book I decided that my life is way too short to be wasting it on Nikola Scott. Needless to say, can't recommend this book.
July 2, 2021
I adored Nikola Scott's Summer of Secrets when I read it a few years ago so was thrilled to discover she'd written another dual timeline book. Secrets abound in The Orchard Girls too, in a story which switches seamlessly between London in 2004 and wartime Somerset.
The novel opens in September 1940 and finds society girl Violet Etherington railing against the future that's been mapped out for her. As with many families of the time, finances are tight and so Violet's overbearing mother is determined she should marry the rich but crushingly dull Edward Forster. Violet, however, is horrified at the thought, even when her cousin, Romy suggests she might find things easier as the head of her own household. Right from the start of The Orchard Girls, it's made clear how little control women had over their lives and when Violet pleads with Romy and Duffy - Romy's half-brother - to help her escape an awkward wedding reception to go dancing and drinking, it might usually have just been a short-term reprieve. This is wartime, though and London is under attack as the Blitz begins to wield its heavy toll on buildings and citizens alike. Her world changes in an instant and distraught with guilt, she makes a decision which changes everything.
Through the passage of time, I think we all have a tendency to look on the past with rose-tinted glasses and that's perhaps particularly true of the Second World War years which are thought of as a period when communities pulled together and everybody did their bit for the war effort. However, the truth wasn't always quite as edifying and Violet's experiences in the Women's Land Army paint a more authentic picture than some of the images of bucolic idyll we may be more used to. The first point of note is that she can't even join up under her own name and so becomes Lily Burns instead as Duffy assists her in securing a position working on an orchard in Somerset.
Life is changing for Violet's granddaughter, Frankie is 2004 too. The newspaper she worked on has recently been taken over by the London Post where the mercurial editor-in-chief, Hugo informs new and old journalists that restructuring will be necessary and that each staff member will be subject to an evaluation process. Frankie is immediately put in a difficult situation when it becomes evident that Hugo has researched her background and is aware she is Violet Etherington's granddaughter. It quickly becomes apparent that although Violet was a stalwart figure in the young Frankie's early life, something happened which caused them to become estranged. Nevertheless, her recollections suggest that whatever occurred, they were once close and she has much to be grateful to her grandmother for. As they tentatively reunite, Frankie begins to realise that Violet is starting to lose her memory and decides to move in with her, despite still resenting her grandmother's previous actions.
I thought the similarities between the two women were cleverly woven into the storyline - both are in positions where they feel helpless but both show strength of character. Frankie has to confront Violet's memory loss and subsequently her unpredictable mood swings while also trying to cope with colleagues who resent Hugo's perceived favoritism towards her and his persistent demands that she cash in on her name and connections to write an explosive story about her well-known grandmother.
Meanwhile, the chapters set in the past are especially moving as Violet - or Lily - finally discovers what it means to have friends. The bond that forms between the Land Girls is heartwarming as they unite to endure the backbreaking work in the face of open hostility by those who consider them women of uncertain morals. The misogynistic attitudes of the period mean that many people look on them with suspicion and it's an opinion shared by their horrible boss, Mr Hardwick, who makes their lives a misery. The Orchard Girls doesn't flinch from portraying the bleaker side of life for some Land Girls and it's an important reminder of how courageous women like this were, working to the point of exhaustion for little reward and even less respect.
Frankie hopes that being reminded of her younger days might help to bring back the Violet she still longs for but the demands of then and now hang over them all. As the Land Girls face the full horror of the war on a terrible night that changes everything, I tore through the pages shocked by what occurs here and intrigued to see what the dramatic revelations would eventually mean for Violet and for Frankie.
The Orchard Girls is a beautifully written, evocative novel with exceptional characterisation. The wartime chapters present a realistic, fascinating and moving portrait of the time while the modern day sections are also heartbreaking as both women gradually come to terms with Violet's dementia. Nikola Scott perceptively reflects the fear and uncertainty of such a distressing diagnosis but this is also an emotional reminder that the wartime generation had their moment too; they were once everything young people can be and more as they had to do it in the throes of wartime when they needed to be brave and resilient too. An engrossing, heartwarming and honest story about friendship and family, The Orchard Girls is an absolute treat of a novel - I loved it!
The novel opens in September 1940 and finds society girl Violet Etherington railing against the future that's been mapped out for her. As with many families of the time, finances are tight and so Violet's overbearing mother is determined she should marry the rich but crushingly dull Edward Forster. Violet, however, is horrified at the thought, even when her cousin, Romy suggests she might find things easier as the head of her own household. Right from the start of The Orchard Girls, it's made clear how little control women had over their lives and when Violet pleads with Romy and Duffy - Romy's half-brother - to help her escape an awkward wedding reception to go dancing and drinking, it might usually have just been a short-term reprieve. This is wartime, though and London is under attack as the Blitz begins to wield its heavy toll on buildings and citizens alike. Her world changes in an instant and distraught with guilt, she makes a decision which changes everything.
Through the passage of time, I think we all have a tendency to look on the past with rose-tinted glasses and that's perhaps particularly true of the Second World War years which are thought of as a period when communities pulled together and everybody did their bit for the war effort. However, the truth wasn't always quite as edifying and Violet's experiences in the Women's Land Army paint a more authentic picture than some of the images of bucolic idyll we may be more used to. The first point of note is that she can't even join up under her own name and so becomes Lily Burns instead as Duffy assists her in securing a position working on an orchard in Somerset.
Life is changing for Violet's granddaughter, Frankie is 2004 too. The newspaper she worked on has recently been taken over by the London Post where the mercurial editor-in-chief, Hugo informs new and old journalists that restructuring will be necessary and that each staff member will be subject to an evaluation process. Frankie is immediately put in a difficult situation when it becomes evident that Hugo has researched her background and is aware she is Violet Etherington's granddaughter. It quickly becomes apparent that although Violet was a stalwart figure in the young Frankie's early life, something happened which caused them to become estranged. Nevertheless, her recollections suggest that whatever occurred, they were once close and she has much to be grateful to her grandmother for. As they tentatively reunite, Frankie begins to realise that Violet is starting to lose her memory and decides to move in with her, despite still resenting her grandmother's previous actions.
I thought the similarities between the two women were cleverly woven into the storyline - both are in positions where they feel helpless but both show strength of character. Frankie has to confront Violet's memory loss and subsequently her unpredictable mood swings while also trying to cope with colleagues who resent Hugo's perceived favoritism towards her and his persistent demands that she cash in on her name and connections to write an explosive story about her well-known grandmother.
Meanwhile, the chapters set in the past are especially moving as Violet - or Lily - finally discovers what it means to have friends. The bond that forms between the Land Girls is heartwarming as they unite to endure the backbreaking work in the face of open hostility by those who consider them women of uncertain morals. The misogynistic attitudes of the period mean that many people look on them with suspicion and it's an opinion shared by their horrible boss, Mr Hardwick, who makes their lives a misery. The Orchard Girls doesn't flinch from portraying the bleaker side of life for some Land Girls and it's an important reminder of how courageous women like this were, working to the point of exhaustion for little reward and even less respect.
Frankie hopes that being reminded of her younger days might help to bring back the Violet she still longs for but the demands of then and now hang over them all. As the Land Girls face the full horror of the war on a terrible night that changes everything, I tore through the pages shocked by what occurs here and intrigued to see what the dramatic revelations would eventually mean for Violet and for Frankie.
The Orchard Girls is a beautifully written, evocative novel with exceptional characterisation. The wartime chapters present a realistic, fascinating and moving portrait of the time while the modern day sections are also heartbreaking as both women gradually come to terms with Violet's dementia. Nikola Scott perceptively reflects the fear and uncertainty of such a distressing diagnosis but this is also an emotional reminder that the wartime generation had their moment too; they were once everything young people can be and more as they had to do it in the throes of wartime when they needed to be brave and resilient too. An engrossing, heartwarming and honest story about friendship and family, The Orchard Girls is an absolute treat of a novel - I loved it!
October 2, 2022
disappointing
Read good reviews if this book. Felt it was a bit tedious and not terribly well done. I appreciated learning more of the farm girls but felt the effort to make a mystery too forced.
Read good reviews if this book. Felt it was a bit tedious and not terribly well done. I appreciated learning more of the farm girls but felt the effort to make a mystery too forced.
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