The Lost Orchid: A story of Victorian plunder and obsession
Harvard University Press, £24.95 hb, 390 pp
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Stamens and pistils
It is hard to explain the special place that orchids occupy in our hearts and imaginations. Their attraction can’t be solely attributed to their strange form, longevity, or apparent scarcity, since there are many other flowers equally blessed that are not treated with the same passionate intensity and reverence. For some reason, orchids have become imbued with some kind of mystery, desire, and exoticism that has less to do with anything intrinsic about their biology or appearance and everything to do with the stories, myths, and legends that have been created around them.
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The Lost Orchid: A story of Victorian plunder and obsession
by Sarah Bilston
Harvard University Press, £24.95 hb, 390 pp
ABR receives a commission on items purchased through this link. All ABR reviews are fully independent.
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