The Grove

Publication Date: June 2025

Overall Verdict: An intricate yet slow paced look at the socioeconomic status of a family in the 1960’s.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Set in the 1960s, The Grove shares the story of Pip living with her sister and parents on the brink of poverty. Selling oranges and taking care of the grove are a priority in which the girls are pulled into, and the only life they have ever known. Each year when the carnival comes to town, the sisters finally feel a glimpse of the possibility of wonder and something more. This year however, after the carnival leaves, the sisters begin to grow apart. When Pip feels so pushed away, she finds solace in a boy named Silas, who lives and works in the orange grove. Secrets come to light and the people of Pip’s world find themselves in some precarious situations.

My Analysis: I was expecting a slightly different story than the one I got in reading this book, but it didn’t sway my opinion on it overall. This story shares a deep look into a family who is living in poverty, and all of the things that they have to do and consider because of it. It’s interesting to see this through Pip’s eyes, growing up in the grove and not really knowing much different. I thought the insights to the socioeconomic status of the family were researched and well done. I liked Pip’s relationship with Silas and how the author included a strength in him that one may lot have anticipated for someone living as he is. When the sisters begin their separation from one another, I thought Sissy was a bit more harsh to Pip than she needed to be, which made me dislike her a bit. I know there were reasons behind her pushing Pip away, but I didn’t think she needed to be as cruel as she ended up being towards her. I think the author also did a nice job developing the characters overall, even the mother and father were well thought out and you could really see into their actions and motivations. If you like historical fiction, don’t mind a book that is interesting but slow paced, and want something a bit different, give this one a read.