Find out what Mumsnetters thought of At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier

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From the bestselling author of The Girl with a Pearl Earring, comes a compelling tale of secrets and survival.

Set in 1830s midwestern America, Tracy Chevalier's new novel follows a pioneer family torn apart in their struggle to live off the land. We've got 50 copies of At the Edge of the Orchard to give away so apply for yours now.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. You don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - anyone who has read At the Edge of the Orchard can post their feedback (and you can buy a copy now)

Everyone who posts feedback about the book on this discussion by 22 November will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by HarperCollins

I really enjoyed The Last Runaway, so hoping to be lucky and get a copy of this latest novel.

Very excited that my copy has just landed on the doormat...off to start reading!

ooh, just arrived here too - guess the housework can wait a few days

So pleased when it arrived this morning, looking forward to reading it!

Just started reading, guess the housework will be put on hold

I received this on Saturday, just before taking the kids away for a few days at the beginning of half term, so perfect timing. I have read a book by this author before and was not disappointed in this, its well written, moves along without being rushed and is a well crafted story. I don't know much about this time period but was able to imagine it well due to the details.

I really loved this book despite it being largely concerned with a monstrous wife and mother, Sadie Goodenough. She is a horrible, tragic figure who is driven to addiction to 'jack' a type of liquor distilled from apples which her and her husband, James grow in the Ohio black swamp in the 19th century. James is obsessed with growing enough good apples to keep the family afloat despite the harsh conditions but is thwarted by his ambition and the 'bad apple'; Sadie.
The landscape is brilliantly evoked and the family's struggle for survival is gripping. Grab a mug of mulled apple juice or cider and be transported to a time and place which you'll be thankful not to have endured!

Cant tell you how thrilled I was to receive a proper hard back book! Thank you very much. I loved some of Tracy Chevaliers other books so reading with interest.

I like Chevalier as an author and knew I would be getting a really well constructed narrative. To be honest though, I found the pace almost tediously slow - particularly at the beginning. However, rather than enjoying the stately pace and watching events slowly unfold (as I usually would with this author), I became a bit frustrated with this novel. This was perhaps compounded by the lack of sympathetic characters. However, I realised that this frustration was partly because the characters are themselves frustrated, which adds to a claustrophobic feeling she creates in places. The pace picks up with the surprise addition of letters at various points in the novel and I felt more empathy with the characters as the novel progressed. Chevalier paints a picture of life in Black Swamp as a real slog - bleak, tragic and incredibly vivid. Not my favourite of hers, but incredibly well written none-the-less.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very slow at the beginning, deliberately so to reflect the environment in which the family live. The characters and their lives are tedious until the dramatic ending of the first part of the book. Then, the series of letters raises questions about how the children's lives have subsequently unfolded and the reader is well and truly hooked. A very well crafted novel, you are in safe hands with this author. Thanks for my free copy.

This is not usually the kind of book I read but I might give it a go.

I found it really moving and sad

I shall give this book a go not my usual reading but sounds intriguing!

i found this book quite emotionally challenging but the fact that it moved me so much proves how well it is written

I haven't started reading it yet but I hope to get to it soon.

Looking forward to reading this story, full of history and drama - an important novel

I just love historical novels and this did not dissappoint

I did not really like this book. It was very slow and not enough happening to keep me interested. I gave up half way through

I borrowed this book from my library because I've read several other Tracy Chevalier books previously and whilst not always a quick easy read, they often depict the struggles of women, often living in times where choices are limited.
This book was not my favourite, it was a hard read and a slow read a bit like the life I was reading about. The frustrations of the couple come through to the reader and apples symbolise different things to the husband and wife.
It would be a good book for discussion in a reading group.

Can't wait to get my teeth in to this one

I really enjoyed this book. It was very slow at the beginning, i found this book quite emotionally challenging. The landscape is well described and the family's struggle for survival is gripping. Grab a glass of mulled apple juice or cider and I was transported to a time and place which I was thankful not to have lived.

This book was quite emotionally hard to read and it really makes you count your blessings. Would highly recommend though!

I haven't read it yet but I'm hoping to receive this book for xmas as I've put it on my list

I enjoyed reading it .

Really enjoyable book and one I couldn't put down!