Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: The Scent of Oranges by Joan Zawatzky

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The Scent of Oranges by Joan Zawatzky gives us some insight into the changes that have gone on in South Africa over the years while weaving a mystery throughout the storyline. The cover on this novel captured my interest right away; I think it’s gorgeous.

The storyline centres around Linda who returns home to her family’s orange farm for her father’s funeral. After the funeral she finds that her father has left her a letter and as his last request he wants her to find out who really killed her brother. Three men have gone to jail for the murder years ago but her father didn’t believe they were the guilty ones; they had been coerced into confessing.

Linda starts asking questions of people and digging in the attic of the family home and uncovers things that make her question everyone and everything as she delves into the mystery surrounding her brother’s death. It’s not a fast paced story by any means but through some twists and turns, finally Linda gives her father the peace he so wanted.

This book was very slow to me and while it wasn’t my favorite read there were also parts I enjoyed. I loved hearing about South Africa and I enjoyed the author’s writing. Her descriptions of the people and the surroundings made me feel like I was in South Africa. I have a few favorite quotes to share…

  • ‘I returned to South Africa when the farm was white with blossoms and wildflowers burst from the rain-soaked veld. It was a day when the sky was strangely luminous. Trees moaned and the wind swelled with fierce energy.’ (pg 11, The Scent of Oranges by Joan Zawatzky)

  • ‘I took my favorite route along the now bare jacarandas. Their fern-like leaves would appear soon. At the water’s edge I kicked off my sandals, flattened the tall pollen-sprinkled reeds and scrambled into the water. A plump pink water lily floated towards me and I bent to touch my face with its petals.’ (pg 366, The Scent of Oranges by Jane Zawatzky)

I think this novel will really appeal to people who like to sit and savor the writing and the slow easiness of a mystery unfolding. You can buy The Scent of Oranges here in the US and here in Canada.

Thanks go to Lisa Roe, Online Publicist for providing me with this novel to review.

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Comments

  1. Wow, I am totally drawn to that beautiful cover. The idea of the book does sound interesting. And I must admit I have never read anything centered in South Africa before. 8) Wonderful review Dar!

  2. Guess I should read it cos she has my name 🙂
    And haven’t really read much about SA

  3. I can almost smell the orange from the cover – it is a fabulous cover. I just caught your comment on my blog. I think faith is a beautiful word too.

  4. The cover is very pretty! Not sure if the “slow easiness” would appeal to me or not in a mystery. Anything else yes, but not really for a mystery…

  6. That cover is beautiful along with the intriguing title. It sounds like a good premise but when a book is slow that can be hard to push through sometimes. The descriptions of South Africa sound lovely.

  7. It sounds like something I would really really enjoy.. to savor the sights and sounds.. if the quotes are any sample of the writing, then I am surely in for this one. Thank you Dar…..

  8. I can easily see why you were drawn to the cover. It is gorgeous! Drop by a little later and pick up an award, please.

  9. The premise of the book sounds really good to me, but I’m not into slow books, so I don’t think this one’s for me.

  12. All of a sudden I’ve been reading quite a few books set in Africa. It’s not a continent I’ve ever thought much about but, now, I’m intrigued.

    This was a very well-written review! It’s always a pleasure to visit!

  13. Hi Dar,

    You have been a friend and follower of my site. I didn’t learn how to get to you until this morning. That tells you how good or bad I am at blogging. I think your site is so pretty.

    I really enjoyed your review of “The Scent of Oranges.” I would like to read it.

  15. This sounds like a great book, even if it was a bit slow, i’m adding it to my wish list.
    The cover is beautiful. The last book I read that was set in Africa was The Poisonwood Bible, and that is one of my favorites.
    Its great when the writer can take you there.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  16. Funny how people are drawn to different types of books. This one sounds like one I would really fall in love with (for some reason I like those boring ones…). 🙂 Glad you mostly liked it. I’d love to learn more about South Africa.

  17. I love the beautiful cover of this book. I'm going to get this book from the library or buy it at B&N! Thanks for the review!

  19. This one is already on my tbr list, the cover is what fist caught my eye too — gorgeous!

    A slow unravelling mystery with descriptions that match the cover … I’ll get to it, I’m sure!

  20. Hmm…I’m not so great with slow reads, but this book sounds intriguing. Thanks for the review!

  22. The setting of this book sounds really interesting. I don’t usually read too many mysteries, so I don’t know if I will check this one out, but the descriptive passages you quoted are quite beautiful. Thanks for posting this!

  23. Mishel, I love the cover also. This was the first book I’ve read centered in South Africa and I really did enjoy learning some about the way of things there.

    Blodeuedd, lol-I guess now I know your name.

    Viv, I have a thing for these kinds of covers I think. Somehow that orange is just so vibrant.

    Jen, that’s pretty much how I felt too.

    Yvette, thanks again for the award!

    Bonnie, I think for some this might be a pleasant read and don’t get me wrong, I did like it but I could also put it down.

    Toni, the writing was beautiful in this book. That I did enjoy.

    Kaye Desert Rose,Dorte, thanks for the awards!

    Linda, thank you 🙂 Have you read anything good that’s been centered in South Africa? I wouldn’t mind reading more.

    Tea, thank you 🙂

    Naida, I loved The Poisonwood Bible. I had forgotten the setting of that one already it’s been so long since I read it.

    Trish, I agree. Sometimes a lot of people will like the same book and then other times not and yet there’s something about it someone else will love. It’s kind of like that with people who only read certain genres. I can’t imagine only reading one but they love it.

    Melody, I saw it on your cover attraction 🙂

    Wanda, yes I didn’t know that there were orange farms out there and I found that quite interesting so that did correspond with the cover.

    Everyone else, thanks for your comments! If you ever do read the book, come back and let me know.