marta the book slayer's Reviews > The Overstory

"Thank you for the tools. The chests. The decking. The clothes closest. The paneling. I forget....Thank you," she says, following the ancient formula. "For all these gifts that you have given." And still not knowing how to stop, she adds, "We're sorry. We didn't know how hard it is for you to grow back."

4.3/5

This novel begins with ROOTS in which 8 (9 if you count the couple as separate, but they are always written together) completely different people are introduced; the introductions begin generations back for some characters and others you meet during their childhood. Each chapter focuses on a different person and it isn't till TRUNK when their stories connect and begin to intertwine. In CROWN we read about the aftermath of their actions before the conclusion in SEEDS where we get 8 different narratives once again. Without spoiling too much, this novel is pretty much an ode to trees with some crazy plot points dispersed throughout the novel.

The writing style is absolutely phenomenal and easy to read. The plot evolves like a very slow rollercoaster, at times there is exhilaration when you hit a high and something in the plot makes you gasp but soon after the ride down is pretty slow with nothing occurring. This novel is very much a work of activism and a love letter to Mother Nature. "What you make from a tree should be at least as miraculous as what you cut down" is the most quoted line I take away from the novel. I agree wholeheartedly, however sometimes this novel is just TOO MANY TREES and I got lost trying to follow the endless descriptions of the millions variations of trees. This is a novel worth reading but if you're not looking for a book about trees definitely skip this one until you're in the right mindset.