“It turned out plant collecting was a solitary occupation. In the past Robert had enjoyed being alone, or so he thought. Actually he had rarely been alone for long: working in hotels, in stables, on ranches and farms, and as a miner, he had always been around others. Now, out in the woods or up in the hills or out on the flat central plain, he could go for days without speaking to anyone. His throat seemed to close up and he had to keep clearing it, singing songs aloud or reciting the Latin names of plants, just to check that he still had a voice. 'Araucaria imbricata. Sequoia sempervirens. Pinus lambertiana. Abies magnifica'. He was surprised at how much he missed people..”
Quote by Tracy Chevalier
Work
At the Edge of the Orchard
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Author
Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier is a renowned British novelist known for her delicate narrative and profound historical insight. Her works often focus on characters and events from specific historical periods, using fictional stories to depict real historical backgrounds. more
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