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Orchard
by
Larry Watson (Goodreads Author)
From the bestselling author of Montana 1948 comes the explosive story of an artist, his muse, and the staggering price they pay for their chance at immortality.
Sonja Skordahl, a Norwegian immigrant, came to America looking for a new life. Instead, she settled in Door County, Wisconsin, and married Henry House—only to find herself defined by her roles as wife and mother. D...more
Sonja Skordahl, a Norwegian immigrant, came to America looking for a new life. Instead, she settled in Door County, Wisconsin, and married Henry House—only to find herself defined by her roles as wife and mother. D...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
June 8th 2004
by Random House Trade Paperbacks
(first published August 12th 2003)
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From Booklist:
This is a story of a talented but egotistic painter and the lives he touches in Door County, Wisconsin. When Sonia House, wife of an apple grower, agrees to pose for Ned Weaver, she unwittingly puts in motion a chain of events that leads to tragedy. Accustomed to having affairs with his models, the philandering Ned finds that his attraction to Sonia goes much deeper. Watson vividly captures the special self-centeredness of the artist, whose "capacity for generosity, honesty, and wh...more
This is a story of a talented but egotistic painter and the lives he touches in Door County, Wisconsin. When Sonia House, wife of an apple grower, agrees to pose for Ned Weaver, she unwittingly puts in motion a chain of events that leads to tragedy. Accustomed to having affairs with his models, the philandering Ned finds that his attraction to Sonia goes much deeper. Watson vividly captures the special self-centeredness of the artist, whose "capacity for generosity, honesty, and wh...more
Somewhat interesting, but it felt so ultra-manly, if that makes sense. I wonder what the author is like. There was an awful lot of unnecessary sex--and I'm usually fine with that, but it seemed just to prove a point or something. Also, I thought the artist character was so obnoxious with his "I'm doing everything for art" thing--does he represent the author? The book acknowledges that he's not a lovely guy, but it doesn't particularly denounce the "everything for art" line. And would his wife re...more
A meditation on art, the artist, and the muse, influenced or inspired by the story of Andrew Wyeth and his numerous paintings of his long-secret model Helga.
What is interesting in this case, is that the author considers what the woman model thinks, and suggests that Sonja finds something independent in the role which neither the artist nor her husband imagines, as each thinks he possesses her in some way.
I liked his description of the process of an artist looking, and going beyond the immediate...more
What is interesting in this case, is that the author considers what the woman model thinks, and suggests that Sonja finds something independent in the role which neither the artist nor her husband imagines, as each thinks he possesses her in some way.
I liked his description of the process of an artist looking, and going beyond the immediate...more
An immensely talented artist who has a series of affairs with his models happens upon a young woman who becomes his muse. Given his huge ego, I'm not sure if it would be accurate to say that he loves Sonja, but she certainly has a hold on him. Sonja is an unhappy wife and mother. She and her husband have lost a son in a tragic accident and their daughter suffers along with them. Sonja accepts the modeling job as a way of finding herself again, but it leads to her husband's jealousy and much bigg...more
This book was bleak. In summary, bad circumstances happen to not-bad people, who handle it poorly, and when faced with the consequences of handling it poorly, continue to sink into a cycle of bad behavior, rather than try to fix what's left of the relationships in their lives. Predictably, this does not end happily for anyone involved.
Why do people insist on adding more darkness and sadness to the world with their art?
This was written well, though, and if the author has written anything else wit...more
Why do people insist on adding more darkness and sadness to the world with their art?
This was written well, though, and if the author has written anything else wit...more
Orchard takes place in Door County WI. It is the story largely of Henry and Ned. Henry is an orchard owner in love with his wife Sonja and they are suffering through the death of their son while trying to raise their daughter June. Ned is a contemptible but overtly talented artist who abuses those around him at will, including his perpetually victimized (though inherently complicit) wife Harriet. Ned hires Sonja to pose for him, and she does at length --- testing her marriage and to the author's...more
The same fine writing & sense of place as Montana 1948 set only slightly later (the 1950s) among the year-round residents of Door County, Wisconsin. The story--about a couple who own an apple orchard and who lose a child, after which the beautiful mother agrees to pose nude for a local artist of international renown--is less plausible (especially the ending) & less compelling. It's a story of love, grief, jealousy, art, & local color.
A very slow moving story. Sonja and Henry suffer the tragic loss of their son. Ned an obsessive artist solicits Sonja to be his model. Harriet, Ned's wife is well aware of past sexual attraction between Ned and his models. Henry suffers the humiliation of the townspeople knowing his wife is posing nude. A complicated story because of the chronology of the story, the difficult characterization and the implausibility of certain character's actions. I need at least one likable character in a story...more
I read this book about a year ago, and I'm glad those dark days are behind me. I disliked every character in this book. "Please, please, kill each other off," I begged as I read. I won't give away the ending, but let's just say that I wished I could've grabbed that loaded gun myself and fired off a few rounds. I didn't even like the bar owner's sleazy wife (and I usually tend to like overtly lascivious characters -- at least they give books some color) nor did I like the couple's daughter, who w...more
I loved reading this and couldn't put it down. It's not a happy book and the characters are not likeable but I loved the way it unfolded and thought the writing was amazing. Will definately try to find more from this author having read this and Montana 1948. Now, on to a happy book.
I really enjoyed this book, probably because it was different than what I have been reading. I liked the story line and some of the characters. Again, the male characters are frustrating which I suppose is true in life. I don't believe I will ever understand their way of thinking.
A good serviceable book, quick read, about art, an artist, his model, her husband, and sadness wrapped up in some raw drama. Watson knows his art, both as a writer and in his portrayal of the self-absorbed painter's relationship to the world.
There is no question that this author is amazing. I loved his descriptions of people and their surroundings, yet somehow I felt disconnected from them at the same time. Maybe that was his intent, but I wanted to identify with them more.
At least 4 tragic characters caught in their own selfishness too consuming to see the needs of each other - with tragic outcome... Not a very easy book too complete as you want to scream at each of the characters... what are you doing??
This book succeeds on many levels: the well-developed characters, the excellent plot and writing, the setting in the woods of Wisconsin. It all comes together. A jewel of a read.
I had some extra time this week and got this reading out of the way for book club. It wasn't my favorite book, but it will be a great book for discussion. Lots of things to talk about!
Narrated by George Guidall. Did not like this book as much as I liked Watson's "Montana 1948." Had a hard time getting through this one.
Another great book by Larry Watson. I don't want to give anything away - so I'll just suggest that you read it for yourself.
This is one of my favorite books of all times. Beautifully told, you are taken into and become part of this amazing story.
Nov 25, 2008
Maria
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Maria by:
no one
this novel talks about a lady called sonja, how she went through alot of promblems to help her family
Really liked this one. Very interesting characters and story line.
Beautiful, soulful writing that lays characters bare. Loved it.
Small town infidelities abound in this rather depressing novel.
This book was very intricate and very sad.
I enjoyed--I appreciate his style of writing.
I so believed these people were REAL that I stopped reading the book because of the total manipulation taking place between the 2 couples - the 4 individuals. It was so sad that the loss of the child kept impacting everything. I enjoyed the author in Montana 1948, but the Door County book was too much. And I could not locate any of the actual places in Door County - it was all fictional.
Great writing. Interesting story.
Listened to audiobook from Recorded Books.
Narrated By: George Guidall
Acclaimed writer Larry Watson, author of the best-selling Montana 1948 (RB# 94966) and winner of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, is at the peak of his storytelling powers with this searing portrait of obsession and betrayal. In Wisconsin during the 1950s, orchard keeper Henry is enraged when his wife Sonja poses nude for world-class painter Ned. As both men fight to possess Sonja, their jealousy threatens to explo...more
Narrated By: George Guidall
Acclaimed writer Larry Watson, author of the best-selling Montana 1948 (RB# 94966) and winner of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, is at the peak of his storytelling powers with this searing portrait of obsession and betrayal. In Wisconsin during the 1950s, orchard keeper Henry is enraged when his wife Sonja poses nude for world-class painter Ned. As both men fight to possess Sonja, their jealousy threatens to explo...more
My favorite so far.
Interesting story. Well done.
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Larry Watson was born in 1947 in Rugby, North Dakota. He grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was educated in its public schools. Larry married his high school sweetheart, Susan Gibbons, in 1967. He received his BA and MA from the University of North Dakota, his Ph.D. from the creative writing program at the University of Utah, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Ripon College. Watson...more
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