Saturday, March 13, 2010

Review: The Crying Tree

The Crying Tree

Naseem Rakha
Fiction

What: Murder, forgiveness, death row, grief, loss

Who: Irene (mother), Nate (father), Bliss (daughter), Shep (son), Carol (Irene's sister), Daniel (murderer), Mason (executioner/prison superintendant), Jeff (Bliss' ex-boyfriend)

Where: Southern Illinois and Oregon

When: 1983-2004

How story transpires: Nate moves his family from Illinois to Oregon for a reason that is not told until the end. He tells the family it's because of a new job for him as deputy sheriff. Son Shep is murdered at their home and Daniel Robbin is convicted and put on death row. Unable to get over her anger and grief, Irene chooses to correspond with Daniel without her family's knowledge. When a date is set for Daniel's execution, Irene fights to save him, especially when she finds out why and how Shep was really killed.

Why I liked/didn't like: I liked every bit of it. Other reviewers said they didn't like the twist the author put in - the why and how Shep was really killed - but I did; I thought it added excitement. The characters were believable, Irene's grief and anger was powerful, the differences in the way Irene and Nate handled their son's death was honest and real, and I loved how Mason's tragic upbringing was brought into the story. I liked that the author was able to make the story sad but not depressing.

Who else reviewed: The Book Zombie, A Novel Menagerie, The Eclectic Reader, The Book Lady's Blog

What else by author: None

Where to find him/her: NaseemRakha.com

Why I chose: I'd seen this on other blogs. The name of the book and the cover were intriguing to me.

Where I got: Library

When I read: 3/11/10

How I rated: 4 Stars (Enjoyed It)

8 comments:

Kaye said...

Loved this book! I didn't really think it was depressing either. Sad, yes but extremely well done especially for a debut novel.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

This one has been on my meaning to read list for a while. Glad to see you and Kaye enjoyed it.

Alissa Grosso said...

Sounds like a good one. I am definitely intrigued by the twist.

Athira said...

Sounds like an interesting book! Off to check it out! Nice review!

Darlyn said...

wow..i've read other people reviews and they also have mix reviews on this. but, i will definitely go for this one.just like my kind of read. great review lynne!

fredamans said...

This being my first look at this book I am blown away. This is to be right up my alley, and after your great review, I have to check it out.

You really had me in the what section.

Unknown said...

Hi all, thanks for commenting! I think even the reviewers who didn't like the twist still enjoyed the book. If the murder, forgiveness, death row, grief topics grab you, I think this book's for you :)

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Oh Lynne this one sounds interesting!

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