The Orchard: Selected Stories

By: Ira Sumner Simmonds

Narrated by: Charles Reardin

The Orchard: Selected Stories, in this eclectic collection of short stories Ira Sumner Simmonds writes, among other things, about crop-raiding monkeys, a dog who loves to sail, a foul mouth middle-schooler, vacationing with elderly parents, coping with Alzheimer's disease, bird-watching and West Indian hot sauce.

©2019 Ira Sumner Simmonds (P)2019 Ira Sumner Simmonds

Beautifully written and beautifully spoken

I’m pleasantly warmed to have read and listened to these stories. Reading and hearing these stories painted similar yet excitingly different visuals in my mind. I highly recommend this book!

An Eclectic Delight!

Throughout this collection, I was pulled in by an engaging and erudite author’s voice. Even when narrating on behalf of a pet, recounting the challenges of traveling with an accidental companion, or relaying more personal challenges, Simmonds offers his audience an honest take with humor and kindness. There are a few surprises too in the category of “you can’t make this stuff up.”

Sally A.

I thoroughly enjoyed “The orchard” short stories. They were intriguing, humorous, and sad at times. I found the stories captivating and they left me wanting more.

A New Fiction Writer Now on Audible

I suppose everyone comes to the audio version of a book with certain hopes and expectations. Having already read the book, I certainly had mine -- and they were high, I thought Charles Reardin did a generally decent job of narrating the book, and I would highly recommend this title to any person, especially a really busy person who, nevertheless, wants to enjoy the work of an exciting new fiction writer. I would also add that I hope anyone who purchases this recording will be encouraged to read the book, if only for a few stories. Specifically, to read "My Oldman and the Sea" and "The Man" silently, in one's own voice, is to experience truly the lyrical, mournful beauty of those two stories. As for most of the other readings, Reardin's voice and pacing amply convey the irony, humor, and pathos one would expect on hearing them read aloud.

Entertaining short stories

The author’s charming stories draw on his experiences in his boyhood home of Saint Kitts and Nevis, his current home of Brooklyn, New York, and other in other locales. Tower Flight 222 is an especially amusing account of a much-delayed flight from Los Angeles to New York.