The Orchid Thief is a fascinating exploration of obsession and the unusual world of orchid enthusiasts. The book delves into the eccentric character of John Laroche and the intricate subculture surrounding these rare flowers, offering a unique perspective on passion and determination.
The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean is a captivating tale that takes readers into the strange and captivating world of orchid enthusiasts. The book centers around John Laroche, a deeply eccentric man obsessed with cloning the rare ghost orchid. Orlean's narrative is a journey through Florida's swamps and beyond, exploring the lengths to which people go for their passions. The book provides a deep dive into the orchid industry, the legal battles, and the cultural significance of these flowers. It's a story that highlights the beauty and complexity of obsession, making the world feel smaller and more manageable through the lens of one's passion. The book also includes a retrospective essay that revisits this world and its adaptation into the film Adaptation, adding another layer of intrigue.
Quick quotes
The world is so huge that people are always getting lost in it. There are too many ideas and things and people, too many directions to go. I was starting to believe that the reason it matters to care passionately about something is that it whittles the world down to a more manageable size. It makes the world seem not huge and empty but full of possibility.
This was originally a piece for The New Yorker, and I think it should've stayed that way. It had its interesting moments but felt a bit bloated and directionless at times.
Orchids are older than the dinosaurs and do not die. They take seven years to grow and are among the most fragile flowers in the world.