The Blue Orchard

by Jackson Taylor

On the eve of the Great Depression, Verna Krone, the child of Irish immigrants, must leave the eighth grade and begin working as a maid to help support her family. Her employer takes inappropriate liberties, and as Verna matures, it seems as if each man she meets is worse than the last. Through sheer force of will and a few chance encounters, she manages to teach herself to read and becomes a nurse. But Verna's new life falls to pieces when she is arrested for assisting a black doctor with "illegal surgeries." As the media firestorm rages, Verna reflects on her life while awaiting trial. Based on the life of the author's own grandmother and written after almost three hundred interviews with those involved in the real-life scandal, The Blue Orchard is as elegant and moving as it is exact and convincing. It is a dazzling portrayal of the changes America underwent in the first fifty years of the twentieth century. Readers will be swept into a time period that in many ways mirrors our own. Verna Krone's story is ultimately a story of the indomitable nature of the human spirit—and a reminder that determination and self-education can defy the deforming pressures that keep women and other disenfranchised groups down.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Fiction, Historical, Adult Fiction, African American, Literary Fiction

416 pages, Hardcover

First published December 21, 2009

Reviews

[Christine Goldbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read this book! Promise me you will. Anyone in the Harrisburg political scene will enjoy the story of the Harvey Taylor era. The novel is based on the true story of the author's grandmother who was born in poverty and refused to sit back and allow life to run over her. Verna Krone was her name and she was nurse to Harrisburg's abortion doctor, a Negro physician who was friend to Harvey Taylor.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives an eye-opening view of life in and around Harrisburg PA from the 1920's until the end of Eisenhower's presidency. Very poor rural people, inner-city black people, politicians, businessmen, and rich society characters are present. The narrator is a person who really lived at this time in this place. The book is a novelized version of her life written by her grandson.

I think this novel might not be as entertaining for people who are not from central Pennsylvania, but I think most people would not mind the numerous geographical references.

I do think that anyone who is strongly opposed to abortion might find it very difficult to read this book. Nevertheless, maybe that is the person who really should read the book.

The author, Jackson Taylor worked for many years doing the research for the book, talking to many people, including members of his own family and also working in libraries and archives. I very much appreciate all his hard work and his telling a very important story on many levels.

[Florence Ditlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a rarely told story, unique as it sheds brilliant light on two major issues. Women struggling for equal rights concurrently as people of color strive to be treated as equals.
The author gets to the heart of this through Verna, who says, "If there is no way I'll make one." Her business partner just happens to be a black surgeon who mentors hundreds of people in Harrisburg, PA.
I also have delved into women surviving the last century (see Bakery Girls) and know the depth of his research. He is fortunate to have known Verna's obstacles and accomplishments to tell this accurate account!
Jackson Taylor says..."we need to do our very best thinking when telling and recording the stories of our families...to better comprehend the circumstances that shape the people we've known and loved and who've had influence over us."

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A combination of history, medicine, nursing, women's rights, civil rights, love and life. For me this was a true "page turner" that I couldn't wait to get back to reading.

[Jan Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Skill is a legitimate form of power . . . . The operative word here is legitimate. Skill is not the realm of the fascist or the bully, or the weak and dependent. Skill allows us to mitigate those qualities in ourselves and in others. Hone your skill. Acquire skill. Practice it. Never stop learning. Skill will set you free."

Set in the first half of the twentieth century, The Blue Orchard tackles issues such as racism, lack of reproductive choices, and sexual abuse with grace and sensitivity. The narrative is thought-provoking without being preachy. Centered around Vera Krone, a nurse working for a doctor who performs illegal abortions, the narrative exposes the circumstances and risks of abortion before Roe v. Wade and offers a historical backdrop to current struggles. (Though for those staunchly against abortion, the three-dimensional presentation of the issue might make for uncomfortable reading.) For those living in central Pennsylvania, bonus material--the narrative brings to life the familiar terrain of Harrisburg and the Susquehanna Valley. It is interesting to "meet" the people after whom the Wertzville Road and the Harvey Taylor Bridge were named, even if sadly, the namesakes don't seem worthy of such lingering fame. But this novel's interest is broader than local taste. With characters believably drawn and with a well-told story, this novel satisfies and inspires.

[Tom N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning on the eve of the Great Depression and encompassing many of the social changes that took place during the first half of the 20th century, Jackson Taylor's novel, THE BLUE ORCHARD is based on the life of his grandmother and the struggles she endured, growing up as the poor daughter of Irish immigrants in central Pennsylvania. After teaching herself to read and eventually gaining credentials as a nurse, Verna Krone finds herself working for a successful physician, whose political opponents try to discredit him for performing "illegal surgeries." A very interesting story for all readers, it is especially intriguing for those who are familiar with the geographic area that it portrays. We greatly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read, if only to experience a different age when abortion was illegal. It opened my eyes about the subject. And my mind.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blue Orchard is a tour de force work of the author, Jackson Taylor, as a kind of tribute to his grandmother. It is that but also so much more. It is sweeping narrative of the time leading up to what would eventually be the Supreme Court legalizing abortion.
The story focuses on the life of Verna Krone. She was born and raised in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were desperately poor, and her early life was marked by hard work that could only be accomplished by her giving up a normal childhood education. She must leave living with her parents and siblings to be hired out as a house maid for a local farmer and his wife. It comes as no surprise that the man of the house eventually "takes liberties" with young Verna, against her strong objections. Consequently, she becomes pregnant and begins a a desperate search for an abortion. She cannot bear the thought of her family learning of her dilemma. She does find a place to get an abortion which, at that time, was illegal.
Fast forward through some of the other twists and turns in her life, and the reader gets to the turning point of Verna's life. She is highly intelligent and, through the benevolence of someone, she is able to attend a training school that educates young women to be practical nurses.
The central focus, outside of Verna's trials and tribulations, is the circumstance of any young woman who, for whatever reason, finds herself pregnant and a desire to obtain an abortion. Such a procedure was not legal, yet Verna gets a job with a well-known doctor about town in Harrisburg, PA, who performs abortions. Verna's job is to house the patients post-procedure and make sure they are able to leave after they have recovered.
The hypocrisy of society is a theme that weaves all the way through the novel. Those with power and money are flaunt the existing laws and still remain high in public opinion. That then becomes a second theme of the novel--those with power against those without. Whether the subject is abortion, or race relations, or economic advantage, the wide sweep on the novel works them all in.
For the reader who lives in proximity to Harrisburg, PA, the place names, the geographic, the political and social milieu may be familiar. The reader learns much about how society developed through the early 20th century into the mid-1950s.
A most enjoyable read.

[Zeek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting beginning. Boring end.

I was gonna go with 2 stars, because it's a well written story but, thinking back on it, I just can't let myself. I enjoyed the references to a town I know well, Harrisburg, unfortunately the setting and time of the novel were more remarkable then the characters.

In the 1930s, Verna Krone, leaves school early in order to get a job to help support her family. The man in the family she's working for molests and eventually rapes her, and every man after that in her life, are not much better. Little wonder she ends up working for a Black doctor who secretly conducts abortions- as yet against the law. She manages to rise above her standard of living because of it, but still came off embittered by it all. Fortunately, the doctor she works for is one of the "good" ones- in that he performs the surgeries in a sterile, respectful environment.

The book is mostly a flashback on Verna's life as she stands trial for participating in her employer's illegal activities.

The book starts off interesting, as I love stories set in The Great Depression for some odd reason, but the last third of the book sure fails to engage the reader for such a passion-inducing subject.

So yeah, 1 star.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blue Orchard is a good read, but not a great read. It is a story of a woman who grew up around the time of the Great Depression & the pre Civil Rights era. Verna Krone lived a very difficult life of poverty & abuse. This lead to a life of mistrust & poor decisions. One would empathize with her, if she weren't such an unlikeable character.

The book is a fusion of non-fiction/fiction. At times it is an interesting biography-like journal, but at other times it is excruciatingly detailed. There is also supposed to be a metaphor with the title "The Blue Orchard" that is weakly detailed through the book (somewhere).

What I really enjoyed about this book are the controversial issues - abortion for one, but also racism, political corruption, greed, and abuse of power - that are explained without a sense of right or wrong, simply that they exist & occurred. It is a book that pulls your emotions back & forth to the point where you don't know whether you sympathize with Verna or hate her guts, whether you believe that abortion is sometimes the best solution for certain individuals, or you see the gross reality of the process & people that provide the service & are disgusted by it.

It is a worthy read, but just don't expect to be completely enthralled in the story-telling.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fiction but is based on the real life of the author's grandmother Verna Krone, who grew up poor in central PA. After having to leave school in the 8th grade she is able later to become a LPN. She becomes the nurse for Dr. Charles Compton, a prominent African American physician in Harrisburg, PA. She is white. It was unusual at the time for a white nurse to work for an AA doctor. He is both a prominent civil rights leader, part of the Republican political machine in Harrisburg, and a physician known far and wide for providing safe but illegal abortions. Verna struggles with the morality of abortion while at the same time being very aware of the circumstances that make some women seek them. She also becomes aware of how many men in power refer women from their families and friends to Dr. Compton, which is how he is able to be safe while breaking the law.

Intertwined with Verna's professional career is her own story of family relationships, motherhood, and marriage. It all makes for an interesting book.

[Gremlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly fascinating read. All the moreso because of it's historical basis.

A young woman growing up extremely poor during the depression struggles to get somewhere in life and eventually makes enough money/friendships to get herself into a nursing school. Once out of nursing school, she eventually ends up as the assistant to an abortion doctor, who also happens to be black.

Such an interesting look at politics, abortion, class, and race issues in one woman's tale, and best yet, the author doesn't seem to take definitive sides. Just tells the story/facts and leaves it for the reader to draw their own conclusions from what they discover. A well-told fast-read that is rich with history.

[Angie]

A book club choice, this novel deals with compelling subject matter (all the more interesting when one learns that it is based on the author's grandmother's life). The first third was supremely engaging--I was invested in the characters' lives, but then the story devolves into a lot of plot and cliched dialogue. The entire narrative is told via a journal, which has benefits (the beginning is lushly introspective) and drawbacks (it feels awkwardly forced for at least the second half). Overall, I still liked the novel: I liked the multi-layered power dynamic between family members, men/women, business relations, race relations, social class issues; I mainly enjoyed it because I love a good story, I only wished it would have followed on the trajectory that the first 75 pages set.

[Jenn Kavanaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book ! Based on the authors own grandmothers background. Interesting to see how they had to survive back then and how the children of the family had to earn a living for the family and how those demands took them to places in their lives that changed their lives forever.

[Shamaine Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome chronicle of race relations, displacement, reproductive health in Central, PA in the early 1900's. It is particularly relevant if you live in Uptown Harrisburg, use the YMCA, or visit the portions of the Capitol that was one the old 8th Ward.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, even better while living in the very places mentioned in the book

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

hard to get into but, i enjoyed the book, loved the main character Verne, and her relationships

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

when it comes to local history, particularly around where I live this was a pretty good book. sometimes it made me wonder if I knew where a certain place is, or if I know the family of a person that was mentioned (and very likely I do!). This book may also carry a fairly controversial subject matter, however, I do want to clarify that it neither supports nor is against the subject matter.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a fictional, though thoroughly researched and as close to accurate as possible, account of a life lived in the areas where I reside was SO interesting. The depiction of local (and higher) government, it's influence and ability to bypass societal norms when beneficial, as well as it's overreach and power was fascinating. Shared without neutrality, despite the author's relation to the protagonist, the story of a white nurse, her affiliation with an African-American physician, their illicit practices and the resulting legal concerns was unknown to me prior to my reading.

As with many of the historical accounts that I read, I quickly made my way to a newspaper database to peruse articles about the subject matter. It's so awesome to be able to view the records for myself.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Orchard provides a visual memoir of Harrisburg in the early 1900's through the life of Verna, a woman born in poverty who through her own sheer will acquires nursing skills and wealth while striving to leave her victimhood behind. Despite her courage and strength, she is confused as she confronts the often conflicting moral and political agendas established by those in power. Verna continues to have relationships with the men who have hurt her, unable to leave them behind. She demands money from the married father of her son but also sleeps with him. She helps women have safe abortions and becomes wealthy in this pursuit but in conflicted about the practice. Morally her nursing oath forbids helping with abortion but she also sees the horrors that happen when women lack a safe medical option and her wealth allows her to feel protected, less vulnerable, even as she struggles with her fear of discovery.

Working alongside the intelligent, community-conscious, politically-connected, and generous Negro Doctor Crampton, she witnesses his attempts to strengthen the Negro community through his financial contributions, community organization, and poltical allies. She also sees how much money he has made by performing abortions for the many women referred by other doctors and community and political leaders who refer the women while turning a blind eye to the doctor's business. But the political climate changes and Verna and the Doctor eventually are arrested and charged with performing illegal surgeries.

The Blue Orhard was written by Verna's actual grandson and is the result of extensive interviews with Verna and and two years of research. The resulting fictional depiction of this true story provides a very personal glimpse into the history of Harrisburg during a time of great change.

A must-read for anyone who has Harrisburg roots.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackson Taylor’s sometimes poetic, sometimes heavy-handed story of Verna Krone’s journey from extreme poverty to assisting a well-to-do African-American doctor in illegal abortions left me befuddled. On both Amazon.com and LibraryThing, people raved about Taylor’s handling of Krone’s story; he can turn a phrase, they enthused, and he balanced the history with the poetic.[return][return]Well, here I am again to go against the grain. The beginning of Taylor’s novel is the strongest; it falters in the middle when it morphs into what is akin to a political treatise, replete with textbook jargon and stuffed with what I assume to be important names and facts of the time (politics, on the whole, bore me). All it did, however, is frustrate me since it detracted from the story of Verna. I wanted Taylor to get on with it and switch back to Verna and her relationships with Dr. Crampton and Verna’s husband, Dewey.[return][return]That is not to say, however, that the novel is without merit, because it has merits aplenty. Verna’s struggles in the first third of the novel are riveting, as she flits from job to job and her frustration is practically palpable. Furthermore, the first trial is well-written and handled with aplomb.[return][return]Taylor also delves into poetic turns of phrase at times, such as on page 293: “Dr. Crampton’s gaze meets mine as I enter, but we do not acknowledge each other. The pupils of his bloodshot eyes are like two black peppercorns waiting to be cracked.”[return][return]Ultimately, however, the novel drags on, especially towards the end as the narrative turns more into a focus of Verna’s son’s life. Despite the faults, I did feel this book was worth the one-time read.

[Jackie Sanderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the book begins, Verna Krone, a white nurse for a Pennsylvania city's eminent black doctor, has been arrested--along with the older doctor. Then the book goes back to Verna's childhood and early adulthood.
After many terrible experiences, Verna became a nurse, and after a few more poor years she started to work for the doctor, who is a big benefactor to the city ( working for better housing, paying for athletic facilities, mentoring young black men, giving scholarships, etc.) The problem is that the money he earned came from illegal abortions. And Verna gets rich too----buying expensive clothes and enjoying shopping and many possessions.
The book was written by Verna's grandson and is based on real events and people. I learned a lot about how race mixed with politics and the way things used to be regarding abortions. But there is no realization in Verna about her own motives, culpability or character. She stays in a terrible marriage and never understands how detached she is from her own son--and everyone else. The writer needed to edit this---too long and maybe without a clear intention

[Jeannette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about the author's grandmother, Verna. A poor farm girl from Pennsylvania growing up in the early 1900s. She works hard, supports her widowed mom and siblings, and earns her nursing license. She eventually becomes a nurse (a white one) to a black doctor who performs illegal (but medically sound for the time period) abortions. He wasn't using coat hangers or doing them in alleys, in other words. He's a good man; she's a good nurse. There's nothing untoward about their relationship. It's strictly professional. Verna has her share of relationship problems w/the white men she dates. It's unfortunate that this story was told in such an uninteresting, here's what happened manner. I quit reading about halfway through. I was interested in her life, just not in how it was being told. I skimmed through sections. I knew the doctor eventually went to trial for this, so I wanted to see exactly what happened and how Verna got off the hook. Again, interesting story, just not told in a very interesting way.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the issues of race, class, family, abortion, and political machinations in Harrisburg, PA, during the first half of the 20th century give the reader fascinating historical information, I found the fictionalized story of nurse Verna Krone and Dr. Charles Crampton to be somewhat stilted. I knew that author Jackson Taylor based his novel on the life of his grandmother, but I didn't know till I read the afterword afterward that most details, including the characters' names, were factual. That explained a lot, and I realized that what I saw as contrivances were actually the author's attempts to be factual and complete in telling this story. Trouble is, it's a daunting task to weave thousands of details into a smooth narrative and to avoid a jagged one. Kudos for the incredible research, but I just wasn't overwhelmed by the finished product. Also, I got the sense from Taylor that Verna, in her grandmotherly years, was a sympathetic and reflective person; during the times depicted, however, she seemed far less so and often approached the unlikeable.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blue Orchard is a story based on the life of the author's own grandmother, Verna Krone. The story begins on the eve of the Great Depression, and Verna, then a fifteen year old girl from an impoverished white family, finds work as a maid to help support her family. Through her own determination she learns to read and then gets inspired to become a nurse. Luckily, one of her employers gives her the tuition to be payed back after Verna gets a job, and she graduates with no problem. Verna finds herself being persuaded to help a black doctor working in a mostly white town in Pennsylvania, to perform "illegal surgeries", now known as abortions. The issue of race plays a big part in this book and Jackson does a good job of showcasing the way things were then. Eventually, charges are laid against the doctor, which have both political and moral motivations behind them. How this all played out and how both the lives of Verna and the doctor were altered, is what the story delivers.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verna is not an especially sympathetic lead, though some will likely attribute her character to her early history, which is, indeed, a hard one. Her motivation for getting involved in "illegal surgery" is more complex than it appears though most of the book. Also, she does gain some insights toward the end of the book. Dr. Crampton, likewise, follows unknown motives, with those he expresses feeling somewhat off. All of that said, Taylor invokes Harrisburg, PA from the Great Depression through the very early '50's, using the history of abortion during that period to tackle issues such as poverty and the changing intersection of race and gender. Even though I can't say I really liked any of the characters, they rang true, as did the events. I found it hard to put down the book.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah...

Verna Krone, practical nurse during the depression, should have installed a revolving door at her house for the men that came and went. She picks up all the losers, bears a son, Sam who she never cares for, and works for an African-American doctor who administers abortions although they are illegal at the time.

Not sure if this is a political story about the value of legalized abortion, or about promiscuous women and the trouble they find themselves in, or just a story with way too many characters and tons of irrelevant sub-story lines.

Just a bore. Not worth the time to read it.

[Karie Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting book to read about the history of Harrisburg while also learning about the history of illegal abortions done in this area. It tells of specific names of families that are involved somehow and those families have a long line of physicians that still practice in various specialties. A lot of the landmarks mentioned still exist. It was great to learn the history of Harrisburg since I’m not actually from here.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but the author needed a better editor.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mixed bag for me.