Author

Publication

1999 - Wheeler Pub., Rockland, MA, Massachusetts

Language

English

Word Count

88,250 words, Guess

Page Count

353 pages

Identifiers

and 1 more
  • Goodreads1006030

Classifications

  • DDC635.9/344/09759
  • LCCSB63.L315 O75 1999

Description

The orchid thief in Susan Orlean's true story of beauty and obsession is John Laroche, a renegade plant dealer and sharply handsome guy, in spite of the fact that he is missing his front teeth and has the posture of al dente spaghetti. In 1994, Laroche and three Seminole Indians were arrested with rare orchids they had stolen from a wild swamp in south Florida that is filled with some of the world's most extraordinary plants and trees. Laroche had planned to clone the orchids and then sell them for a small fortune to impassioned collectors. After he was caught in the act, Laroche set off one of the oddest legal controversies in recent memory, which brought together environmentalists, Native American activists, and devoted orchid collectors. The result is a tale that is strange, compelling, and hilarious.

Subjects

Topics

OrchidsFloridaAnecdotesBiographyHollywoodLaroche, JohnOrlean, Susan

Places

FloridaHollywoodFakahatchee Strand State Preserve

People

Susan OrleanJohn Laroche

Series Statement

  • Wheeler large print book series

Other Editions

  • The orchid thiefWheeler Pub.1999-01-01
Show 5 more editions

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