The Orchid House (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Founder | Phyllis Shand Allfrey |
| Products | Book |
The Orchid House is a 1953 novel authored by Dominican writer Phyllis Shand Allfrey, esteemed as a foundational piece in Caribbean literary history. The narrative, told through the perspective of Lally, an elderly Black nurse from Montserrat, draws on Allfrey's formative years. This work was later transformed into a well-received British television film.
Initially released by Constable & Co., the book was republished in 1982 by Virago Press and reissued again in 1991 to align with the Channel 4 TV adaptation helmed by director Horace Ové. The cast included notable performers like Elizabeth Hurley, Madge Sinclair, and Diana Quick, with John Hubbard responsible for casting. Additionally, an American edition was published in 1996, and a French version titled La Maison des Orchidées appeared in 1954.
Summary
Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert offers a synopsis describing how the story, recounted by nurse Lally, centers on three Creole sisters who return to their homeland after spending years overseas: Stella, motivated by a fervent desire for the tropical environment; Joan, who is engaged in grassroots political activism in London; and Natalie, a wealthy widow of a prosperous man.
Reprints
See also
- The Orchid House, the television miniseries adaptation.
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys