Frances is an old woman – her memory and her senses both failing her. She spends her days laying in a hospital bed, tended to by nurses. While forgetful and confused about reality from time to time, there’s one thing that is crystal clear in her mind – that summer at Lynton’s. Her stay at the estate redirected her life. It opened her eyes to the way the rich live, the way their lavish homes were abused during the war, and to the way a person can be manipulated for the entertainment of another. She has such fond memories of the early days, but the fruit of the Bitter Orange tree was the thread that unraveled everything.
Claire Fuller’s 2019 release Bitter Orange explores interpersonal relationships and the dangers of becoming entwined with someone self-absorbed. Fuller is a renown short story writer, but weaves a beautiful tale exploring human fragility and desires. Readers will find themselves transported in time both to the England of the 1930s and to the early 1900’s, seeing Lynton’s through the lens of these characters, but also what it might have been in its heyday. This novel will bring surprise and an astonishing ending that will make you itch to reread the book to see how you missed it all along!
I give Bitter Orange 4 out of 5 stars. I liked this novel and was caught completely off guard by the ending. However, it was a slow burn for me – I actually second guessed my choice of books a few chapters in because of how slow it was to pull me in. If you find yourself in the same boat – hang in there, it’s worth it! Fuller delivers striking dialogue and dynamics between the characters and scenes that practically leap from the page with detailed description. There were moments with tougher vocabulary that might derail some readers, but the chapters were short and this was, overall, a quick read for me.
This book may be best directed to more mature audiences over 16 with themes of sex and murder. While not explicit on the pages, the undertone is there. I would recommend this to readers who have enjoyed other books like Ann Patchet’s The Dutch House or Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox. I found myself debating what was reality for Frances and what wasn’t after finishing the novel, so I think this could make a great book for a discussion club, too!
I chose Bitter Orange for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “with fruit on the cover”. What better way to celebrate our monthly color theme of orange, than with a book with oranges in title and cover? I really knew nothing about this choice before diving in – something that rarely happens these days – but I was pleasantly surprised and, again, looking to read it once more soon to see how I missed that ending the entire time!
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- Current audio book: John Tyler, the Accidental President, Edward P. Crapol
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