Wild Oranges

"Wild Oranges" by Joseph Hergesheimer is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story unfolds in a lush and evocative setting, focusing on John Woolfolk, a weary seafarer whose life intersects with that of Millie Stope, a mysterious woman living in isolation. Throughout the narrative, themes of escape, love, and the haunting shadows of the past emerge as John grapples with both his own internal struggles and the enigmatic life of Millie. At the start of the novel, John Woolfolk arrives at a serene bay in Georgia on his yacht, the "Gar". As he settles in for supper, he catches sight of a woman swimming—Millie Stope—who quickly disappears into the darkness, leaving him captivated and curious. Their subsequent interactions hint at her troubled background and strained family dynamics, particularly her frail father, Lichfield Stope, and a man named Nicholas, who harbors dangerous priorities concerning Millie. The opening chapters set the stage for a tension-filled exploration of love and danger, capturing Woolfolk's tumultuous emotions as he becomes increasingly entangled in Millie’s extraordinary story and the hidden perils of her world.