Book Review

wow...it's been a long time since I did a book review on this blog.

This book, though, just cries out to be reviewed.

"The Killing Tree" by Rachel Keener is profoundly dramatic.

Genre: fiction.

Copyright: 2009

The author was born in the mountains of southwest Virginia back when I was graduating from high school! (1978). This is her first novel and I predict it will not be her last!

Summary from back of book:

"It's the summer after Mercy Heron graduates from high school, and she's living in the household of her domineering grandfather and her erratic grandmother. They've raised Mercy since her mother died giving birth to her under the June apple tree, after Father Heron locked her out and ignored her pleas for help.
Mercy's days are spent working at the local diner, but unlike her wild best friend, Della, she's never considered leaving the insulated community on Crooked Top Mountain. Not until that summer when she meets Trout, a man who opens Mercy's eyes to a world beyond what she's known. Their relationship must be kept secret, because Father Heron won't approve of his granddaughter's being involved with a migrant worker. But when Mercy tried to escape, she'll learn just how powerful--and ruthless--her grandfather can be.
And the truth of her past will threaten to forever bind her to the mountain."

This was one of the better fiction novels I have read since reading "The Thirteenth Tale" last summer. It is right up there with "The Secret Life of Bees".

It is a quick read. It's set in the Appalachian Mountains and I have always enjoyed reading about those particular mountains. The poverty, the beauty, the loneliness........the traditions of a people not immersed in the modern world......

It deals with physical abuse and emotional/verbal abuse.
There is a mysterious "mountain religion" involving snake handlers......intriguing but kind of weird.

The thing I like about the book is that you can kind of guess at the ending because the author does not bring closure to a certain part of the story. You are left wondering exactly what happens to Mercy.

I like that there are a couple of great analogies used to describe our souls.

Such as this quote:

"When a glass falls to the floor, whether it shatters or just chips depends on how thick it is. If it's a fancy goblet.....it will break into a thousand pieces. But if it's a sturdy jar.....it will hit the ground with a thud. It may chip, but the body of the jar will not break. It's not as pretty, but it's ready for the fall. It was built for the fall in mind."

That is profound to me.

Although the author does not resolve Mercy's story, I find that this is the better way: depending on who you are, you can decide how you want things to go for Mercy. She is a survivor, though, that is evident throughout the novel. And that is something I can relate to!!

I highly recommend this book....most libraries should have it and I know Barnes and Nobles sells it.

HAPPY READING!!