The Fruit of the Tree

My first ebook on headphones

(5 stars)

David Ward

What a stunning introduction to the joys of a book being read in the middle of my head. I loved the book & the reader was superb. However I stopped at book 4 chapter 37 when the two principal characters were having to face the consequences of euthanasia. (A decision which I wholeheartedly agreed with) Because the basis for their relationship was, imo, as it should be, ie shared values, all the senses as well as passion, an objective I failed to achieve in my own 3 long term relationships, I couldn't face dealing with the heartbreak I knew I would experience should the consequences of the euthanasia destroy their marriage. Overreaction, it's only a story, etc etc, agreed, but the reason I literally threw my television in the dustbin 20+ years ago, was because I finally admitted that not only the pictures in my head from reading were better than the pictures on the screen, but the level of emotional involvement in a book was for me, far greater than television ever had been even before it was dumbed down.

brilliantly read by Margaret Espaillat

(4 stars)

dahszil

Wharton is a great writer, but in this novel she over psychoanalyzes far too much, here in The Fruit of the Tree. Perhaps characters of the upper classes have complex and convoluted psychological make up, but I don't think the rest of us have the time to invent so many psychological weapons to exploit each other with. But it is a great book combining personal relations, romance, compartmentalizing and hence the string pulling and distance of powerful men and women from the harsh life their schemes create for common persons. Edith Wharton hated socialists and perhaps she was from the upper class, she was biased towards top down reform. i don't know. Most often in history, leaders and the powerful have to be pushed by the majority for social reform.

The Fruit of the Tree

(5 stars)

Vereeniging

This book still has many issues we grapple with today. The one that has me thinking about most is euthanasia. I have always thought it just to put an end to endless suffering but this book has made me realize that there are consequences and that there can be two sides to the act. Margaret Espaillat has read the story with deep understanding and I thank her most sincerely for it.

Complex Exploration of Morals

(4 stars)

TLocke

In bringing considerations of life and death so deftly into this novel, the challenge and costs of decisions made to end suffering or life are not presented as easy. Not at the time of the decision or in years following. Perhaps we are not made to ignore socially agreed upon truths as the best guide to moral behavior, but we ignore them at our peril.

The Fruit of the Tree

(4.5 stars)

Terri Lynn

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE STORY. NARRATOR DOES AN AMAZING JOB WITH RANGE AND PITCH. ALL IN ALL A GOOD LISTENING EXPERIENCE

(5 stars)

KAB

Loved this book! So satisfying. Reader was a bit rough at first, but quickly became excellent. Thank-you, Margaret, for your work.

(5 stars)

Addressing today’s problems

Nicely read, and not just a boring love story. This story hits on at least 4 of today’s social issues.

(4 stars)

Angela

a really good reader. the story seemed too long and was rather boring in the middle.