The Orphans
Fiona McIntosh
Reviewed by Helen
This is a beautifully told story that will stay with me for a long time to come, written in true Fiona McIntosh style it tells us the story of Fleur Appleby and Tom Catchlove from when they first meet in very sad circumstances at the age of eight and ten, a meeting that neither will forget.
Fleur was adopted by Henry and Mae Appleby has known nothing but love and happiness, Henry owns and operates one of the best undertaking companies in Adelaide and Fleur starts learning the trade at a very young age and is determined to be the first female mortician.
Tom is raised on a sheep station in the outback of the Flinders Rangers in South Australia, with a father who is a drover and mother who loves him and teachers him all about life but when tragedy takes his mother away from him Tom learns about his mother’s family and is determined to become to best wool classer there is.
It is now 1935 and Fleur has lost her mother and her father has remarried, her step mother, Irma is a difficult woman to live with and her father is drinking a lot, Fleur is keeping the business going well but Irma is a thorn in her side for many reasons.
Tom has arrived in Adelaide after deciding to make some changes in his life he gets a good job on the wharf in the woolstores but a chance meeting at a dance brings him back in contact with Fleur the girl he never forget.
A lot of obstacles are thrown in their path to finding their forever happiness, including a murder investigation, they are pushed to the limits with everything that is going on. I loved this story so much Fleur is so beautiful and empathetic and Tom is quiet caring and loving. I learned a lot about being an undertaker and felt the emotions that run throughout the book.
This is one that I would highly recommend, yes it is tragic at times and emotions run high but it shows what love can bring to life not matter what goes on, I loved Fleur's strength and courage and the sheer determination to do what she set out to do and now with Tom's help.
My thanks to Penguin Australia for my copy to read and review.
Fleur was adopted by Henry and Mae Appleby has known nothing but love and happiness, Henry owns and operates one of the best undertaking companies in Adelaide and Fleur starts learning the trade at a very young age and is determined to be the first female mortician.
Tom is raised on a sheep station in the outback of the Flinders Rangers in South Australia, with a father who is a drover and mother who loves him and teachers him all about life but when tragedy takes his mother away from him Tom learns about his mother’s family and is determined to become to best wool classer there is.
It is now 1935 and Fleur has lost her mother and her father has remarried, her step mother, Irma is a difficult woman to live with and her father is drinking a lot, Fleur is keeping the business going well but Irma is a thorn in her side for many reasons.
Tom has arrived in Adelaide after deciding to make some changes in his life he gets a good job on the wharf in the woolstores but a chance meeting at a dance brings him back in contact with Fleur the girl he never forget.
A lot of obstacles are thrown in their path to finding their forever happiness, including a murder investigation, they are pushed to the limits with everything that is going on. I loved this story so much Fleur is so beautiful and empathetic and Tom is quiet caring and loving. I learned a lot about being an undertaker and felt the emotions that run throughout the book.
This is one that I would highly recommend, yes it is tragic at times and emotions run high but it shows what love can bring to life not matter what goes on, I loved Fleur's strength and courage and the sheer determination to do what she set out to do and now with Tom's help.
My thanks to Penguin Australia for my copy to read and review.
5 stars
October 5, 2023 Penguin AU
