Book Review: "The Orchard on Fire" by Shena Mackay

I have never read or even heard of this author before and if you know my writing and my reading then you will know that I try to do this around once a week (whether it gets acknowledged outwardly or not is an entirely different question). Shena Mackay has proven to be a writer to be reckoned with, her dark wit and her depiction of secret dynamics are often contained within the heart of the writing. Against the backgdrop of the 1950s, she seeks to tinge our worldview with a reality of the era rather than one that is known on social media as 'the good old days' (which were, in fact, not very good at all). Let's take a look at the aptly titled book The Orchard on Fire.

At the heart of the novel is April’s friendship with Ruby Richards, a vivacious and imaginative girl whose adventurous spirit is a perfect complement to April’s quieter disposition. Together, they create a sanctuary for themselves in an abandoned orchard, a place where they can escape the constraints of their lives and let their imaginations flourish. The orchard becomes a symbol of childhood freedom and creativity, a haven untouched by the complications of the adult world. This kind of reminds me of a novel called The Path to the Spiders' Nest by Italo Calvino in which the main character seeks a secretive sanctuary far away from the constraints of life which are only constraints because of inept and strange adults who wander around controlling everything.

Yet, Mackay does not allow this idyllic setting to remain untainted. The narrative is threaded with a sense of unease, as the adult world constantly intrudes upon April and Ruby’s innocence. April’s life is overshadowed by the predatory attentions of Mr Greenridge, a schoolteacher whose sinister presence is an ever-looming threat. Mackay handles this subject with remarkable sensitivity, never sensationalising it but allowing its impact on April’s psyche to be deeply felt. The portrayal of Greenridge’s behaviour and its implications for April underscores the vulnerability of children and the often unseen dangers they face. This is where it gets kind of dark and starts to remind me of all those books I have read that deal with a child being traumatised only for the other adults in their life to not really take them seriously. For example: Chorus by Rebecca Kauffman or The Discomfort of Evening by Lucas Rijneveld.

In parallel, the novel explores the challenges of familial relationships. April’s parents, Betty and Arthur, are well-meaning but often preoccupied with the demands of running the tearoom. Their marriage is a source of tension, with Arthur’s practicality clashing with Betty’s nostalgia for their former life in London. This dynamic leaves April feeling increasingly isolated, compounding her sense of alienation as she navigates the complexities of her new environment. Mackay captures the subtle nuances of familial love and strain, showing how even well-intentioned parents can inadvertently fail to provide the emotional support their children need. What we also begin to notice as well is that Ruby becomes a source of differentiation from the norm for April as their parents are strikingly different. This contrast is literally shoved into the reader's face in order to show the grand difference in their lifestyles even though they live in the same geographical area.

Ruby's parents, Elsie and Ted Richards, are warm and welcoming, but their household is chaotic and marked by financial struggles. Through Ruby’s story, Mackay highlights the resilience of children in the face of hardship, as well as the ways in which friendship can serve as a lifeline in difficult circumstances. Ruby’s optimism and energy are a source of strength for April, even as their friendship is tested by the pressures of growing up. This pressure is measurably initially but as the book goes on, we start to notice the grand drift that has pushed between them.

All in all, The Orchard on Fire is a deeply moving and evocative exploration of childhood and the intricate dynamics of human relationships. Through April’s story, Mackay beautifully illustrates both the joy and heartache of growing up, portraying the fragile nature of innocence and the lasting effects of friendship and betrayal. There is so much that we learn about the children in this novel and so much that happens that often, we forget that we are in a novel at all. Prepare to become immersed in the world of a rural 1950's drama which is carried by its intent on painting a realistic portrait of life rather one tainted by faux-nostalgia.