Book Review: The Ghost Orchard: The Hidden History of the Apple in North America by Helen Humphreys

For the award winning Canadian novelist and poet, Helen Humphreys, the journey of discovery started with a single apple, the White Winter Pearmain, found in an orchard near her home.

What follows is a quiet, contemplative narrative which flows with thoughtful prose and a challenging history.

The theme of loss is interwoven with the terminal illness of her friend, Joanne Page, and the loss of indigenous Apple orchards. This highlights a missing piece in the history of the cultural destruction on both sides of the border.

The presence of death brings life into sharper focus, makes some things more important and others less so. I couldn’t stop my friends death, or fight against it. I stood out by the log cabin and the dead tree that night and thought that what I could do was make a journey alongside Joanne –

Helen Humphreys

Moreover, the true of the loss of food variety in the form of apples is highlighted when Humphreys tells us “There were once 17,000 of varieties of apples.” which is surprising when looking at the meagre choices we have today in the stores by comparison.

Moving storytelling is coupled with history, geography, and pomology as we learn that: there are apple hunters who track heirloom and varieties and help preserve them. In addition, we discover Annie Appleseed predated Johnny Appleseed, doing many of things attributed to him. Many such apple titbits permeate the throughout the book.

Equally important are the memories of this poet, weaving in beautiful historical coloured plates of apples in this book, courtesy of the USDA’s Pomology Division.

The origins of her fascination with water colour techniques becomes clear as she relates the story of her grandfather who was a commercial artist.

Her own friendship with her dying friend is transposed onto the deep friendship Robert Frost had with the British poet Edward Thomas.

The book concludes with a glossary of apples which are no longer present. The extensive. A stark reminder of the fragility of our own food security.

A story initiated by an apple said to be the best tasting in the world, results in a soul stirring journey and a slice of the tapestry which is still in the weaving.