The Orchardist

This is a powerful, wonderfully written first novel. (Kate Saunders THE TIMES)

Coplin's rendering of place invites comparison with William Faulkner's recreations of Mississippi. (Lucian Robinson TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT)

Amanda Coplin follows the path of American epic naturalist writers such as John Steinbeck in her beautifully written debut, in the way she tracks the movement of communities and examines the relationship between people and their environment...From brooding long over deceptively simple ingredients, Coplin has created a psychologically complex novel of considerable emotional power. (Rachel Hore INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)

The Orchardist is a powerful, finely crafted novel. (Suzi Feay FINANCIAL TIMES)

Amanda Coplin's The Orchardist is a haunting and epic debut with shades of Steinbeck. (GRAZIA)

An utterly enthralling, heart-breaking story. (EASY LIVING)

I was still thinking about this moving tale, set in early 20th century America, days after reading it. A reclusive man lives alone until two pregnant, feral girls ask for help. As he lets them in, stories of love, loss and revenge unfold. If you like emotional, historical fiction, you'll love this. (ESSENTIALS)

A powerful moving novel. (WOMAN & HOME)

This is a story about love, often intensely moving but far bigger than your common or garden tear-jerker and gorgeously written...There are echoes of Silas Marner, as the lonely man and the wild girls become an unorthodox family, but the outside world can't be kept out, as strangers on a mission bring violence into this Eden. The writing is vivid and poetic, with a strong sense of emotional wisdom. (Kate Saunders SAGA)

A beautifully evocative story (MARIE CLAIRE)