THE ORCHARDIST

Mark Bramhall’s narration is evocative of the stoicism of William Talmadge. Talmadge lives a reclusive life in the Pacific Northwest during the early twentieth century. His life revolves around his orchard until he shows kindness to two abused and starving teenage girls. He quietly reaches out to help and protect them and the baby, Angelene, who soon arrives. The narration, like Talmadge’s life, is spare and accentuates the solid goodness and compassion of the man. Bramhall sets a steady pace. He creates a sense of intimacy and lets the story unfold easily as listeners learn about Talmadge through his interactions with Angelene and the local midwife and herbalist, and his single-minded devotion to them all. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2012]