Rating: 
Summary: Blooms Unburied
Review: There does not seem to be any middle ground among readers of this book. The reviews here at amazon, and the comments of friends who have read it (or tried to) are all the same. You are either going to love this book or you are going to hate it.I would like to think those who hate it simply don't get it, becuae this book is no more about orchids than Moby Dick is about whales. While the botany and history lessons are fascinating, their context, set in the milleau of modern Florida, gives voice to a profound observation, namely: Is passion a function of nihilism? This reportage reads like fiction, and the reviewers who claim the story is "too pat" need to look at the record. The story is not the invention of the author, it is a recitation of what really happened. The style, however is anything but Journalism 101. Ms. Orlean has the eye of Carol Shields, the structure of
Truman Capote, the lyricism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and sense of the bizarre of Elmore Leonard or John D. MacDonald.
Rating:
Summary: AN ARTICULATE, ARTFUL READING
Review: Consummate voice performer Jennifer Jay Myers gives an articulate and artful reading of this tale of passion and obsession. New Yorker staff member Susan Orlean expands on a previously published article to offer an always fascinating, sometimes hilarious true story of John Laroche, a swindler and con man, who plotted to steal rare orchids form Florida's Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. His intention was to clone them and make mega bucks selling them on the black market. But, even the best laid plans go awry - Laroche and three Seminole tribesmen were caught with their fingers in the plants, so to speak. Avid reporter that she is Orlean follows not only Laroche's trails and trials but also relates the stories of others suffering from orchid fever. She traces this symbolic plant from its early 19th century emergence in the U.S. to the homes of collectors who value a rare species above all. For the detail minded facts and figures abound. For all there is a unique and compelling story told. - Gail Cooke
Rating: 
Summary: Given the opportunity, I wouldn't read it again.
Review: It's unfortunate... I really wanted to like this book, but after finding nearly identical passages about Robert Fuchs and Martin Motes repeated in different parts of the book (talk about filler) I simply can't fathom giving this book a good review. Did I really need to hear that Mr. Motes drove a BMW two times?
As an orchid grower, I found the author's use of the elusive ghost orchid flower as a device to tie the book together trite, as, it's really not the flowers that make ghost orchids so interesting, but the fact that they have no leaves. It all seems a bit naive to me, or perhaps a bit concocted. Parts of the story are interesting, and yes I did learn something from the book, but the whole reason for being of the book is a bit lacking.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much undeserving praise
Review: This book is simply awful. Orlean simply saw one odd piece of news, exploited it to every angle imaginable, and completely bored me along the way. A good author could get the point of the book across in about thirty pages, but Orlean uses 200. This isn't a book, it's just a collection of newspaper clippings. Please do not support this terrible literature; if you're going to buy it just get it from a library.
Rating:
Summary: Never thought I would be interested in orchids
Review: This is a terrific, well written book that takes you on a tour of orchid mania, with the author as your guide. It is a fascinating look at a sub culture of people driven by their obsession with this flower. Worth reading whether you care about orchids, or not.
Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed this one TREMENDOUSLY!
Review: A friend recommended this book to me...I am thankful otherwise I never would have picked it up. I thought orchids wouldn't be compelling. Boy, was I wrong. The style, the subject matter...creative and fascinating. What a find!
Rating:
Summary: Flower Power
Review: "The Orchid Thief" is an expansion of an article written for "The New Yorker." It is well worth your while to read the book. The author enlarges on the history of collecting orchids, orchid hunters, and the flower itself. She is to be commended for her research on all and the Seminole Indians as well. Did you know the Seminoles are technically still at war with the United States? They are the only tribe that never signed a treaty. The title character, John LaRoche is almost-but-not-quite worth the focus he receives. He has a quirky mindset, an enthusiasm that is catching; but his total self-absorption gets tiresome. His knowledge and keenness for the art and science of plants is entertaining. But hey, the guy is a small time crook, a trail of unrealized dreams, and a very poor friend. In spite of many denials, I think Susan had more than a mild crush on him; why else put up with all his inconsiderate nonsense? The description of the various orchids is masterful, (How I wished for color plates!) and Susan was vivid in all interior and exterior moods in her depiction of Florida. So much so, I would state southern Florida is the underlying theme of the book. Her experiences and bravery in the beastly Fakahatchee Swamp, home of many wild orchids, are dramatic. Plunging into brackish water up to the waist, and having to toe around for submerged alligators on the squishy bottom is not for the faint of heart. Part of the enjoyment of this fine non-fictional work is the very likeable Susan herself. She tends to be shy, hates the heat, is homesick, tired of driving all over, fears the swamp, but she persists. The end result is well worth her efforts.
Rating: 
Summary: Very enjoyable.
Review: Essentially a portrait of John Larouche, orchid hunter and thief extraordinaire, as well as (surprisingly) supporting the conservation movement, this laconically humorous tale takes us into the depths of the Everglades, the forests of the Far East and the hot-houses of the rich, famous and crooked.
There are some strange asides, that illustrate the type of enigmatic person who goes in for the underworld orchid trade; tales of frog poachers, happy in their slimy occupation; capsicum and bromeliad growers who dump the whole crop in a fit of pique; collectors who also spray-paint pigeons' tails. In all, this reads more like a novel than an investigation into the illegal orchid trade, but loses no credibility for that, rather, it lends a more accessible quality to the book than it would otherwise have.
A very funny, worthwhile read. ...
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable
Review: I must disagree with my reading colleague in Vermont to some respect. We both agree that Mr. Laroche does not seem to be the kind of person we'd love to have over for dinner. However, where we differ is as to the appeal of this book. I am not an orchid lover (perhaps having read this book will become one), but still found the book quite enjoyable. The monomaniacal pursuit of a single species is quite fascinating.
I also must disagree with Terry Holzman in the critique that this book lacks a story. The story is simply not about Mr. Laroche, or the orchid hunters, or Florida, or England - rather it is about the orchid itself.
Rating: 
Summary: Only if you're into orchids...
Review: The Orchid Thief is less about Mr. Laroche, a selfish, self-centered and, dare I say it, jerk of a human being, than it is a study of Florida's history of orchid under-culture. If you're into orchids, it's a fascinating book. If you're not - don't bother.
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