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emmalouisereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a mysterious read, with quite a unique tone. It raises important points about racial tensions in America specifically, however, I think that it can apply to places outside America too.
The book features a lot of people that actually exist, which I didn’t know until I’d finished the book. I think I’d have liked to have known beforehand.
It’s very thought provoking.
The book features a lot of people that actually exist, which I didn’t know until I’d finished the book. I think I’d have liked to have known beforehand.
It’s very thought provoking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Violence, Racism, and Gore
Minor: Police brutality
Black people are referred to by the n-word a lot. It’s clear that the people using the word are racists, but it might be worth knowing that before reading. Basically, lots of people are KKK levels of racist in this book. And it’s based on real people.crazybookishcool's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Body horror, Blood, and Death
annreadsabook's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Is there a single word for a book so biting and incisive that it makes you both chuckle and ache deeply within the span of a few pages? Whatever it is, it would be a perfect descriptor for Percival Everett’s novel THE TREES.
THE TREES follows a pair of Black detectives called in to address a string of mysterious and gruesome killings of white townspeople in Money, Mississippi. To the shock and confusion of local authorities, at the scene of each crime appears a second body—one that looks eerily similar to that of Emmett Till.
As these officers strive to uncover the meaning of these recurring events, we are taken on an at times uproarious, at times gut-wrenching ride through Mississippi and beyond, reckoning with both the state and the country’s horrific and haunting history of state-sanctioned and vigilante violence against Black and other people of color.
I would not say this is a mystery book. To call it that, I think, would be doing a disservice to what this novel is attempting to, and I believe does, achieve: force the reader to reckon with this country’s bloody history and question whether the past is ever truly behind us.
One thing I do question is this conversation about whether having Black folks as law enforcement is a viable means of ensuring justice (i.e., so “Whitey wouldn’t be the only one in the room with a gun,” as the detectives rationalize). I just do not believe that simply placing a Black face in a system that was meant from the ground up to oppress us does us the good that many seem to believe. One character in the book does trouble this notion very briefly, but I would’ve liked it examined a bit more, I think.
The above critique aside, though, this was one of my absolute favorite books of 2022 given its ambition and all-around incredible writing. I’m a huge fan of Everett’s writing style and will definitely be delving into his backlist.
P.S.: if you manage to grab a physical copy of this book, please do take a close look at the cover. It’s something no one should miss.
THE TREES follows a pair of Black detectives called in to address a string of mysterious and gruesome killings of white townspeople in Money, Mississippi. To the shock and confusion of local authorities, at the scene of each crime appears a second body—one that looks eerily similar to that of Emmett Till.
As these officers strive to uncover the meaning of these recurring events, we are taken on an at times uproarious, at times gut-wrenching ride through Mississippi and beyond, reckoning with both the state and the country’s horrific and haunting history of state-sanctioned and vigilante violence against Black and other people of color.
I would not say this is a mystery book. To call it that, I think, would be doing a disservice to what this novel is attempting to, and I believe does, achieve: force the reader to reckon with this country’s bloody history and question whether the past is ever truly behind us.
One thing I do question is this conversation about whether having Black folks as law enforcement is a viable means of ensuring justice (i.e., so “Whitey wouldn’t be the only one in the room with a gun,” as the detectives rationalize). I just do not believe that simply placing a Black face in a system that was meant from the ground up to oppress us does us the good that many seem to believe. One character in the book does trouble this notion very briefly, but I would’ve liked it examined a bit more, I think.
The above critique aside, though, this was one of my absolute favorite books of 2022 given its ambition and all-around incredible writing. I’m a huge fan of Everett’s writing style and will definitely be delving into his backlist.
P.S.: if you manage to grab a physical copy of this book, please do take a close look at the cover. It’s something no one should miss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Racial slurs, and Racism
ecarper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Absolutely phenomenal horror satire novel. It discusses really horrific things such as content warning lynching and police brutality but there is an element of humor throughout that, especially at the end, had me laughing with glee. After having visited the Legacy Museum in the US in recent years, this was an incredibly moving and dark testament (books that contain lists of victims’ names always hits me hard) to America’s dark history and present.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, Death, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Body horror, Hate crime, Racism, and Violence
rosy_carolynne's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, and Hate crime
cleches's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Body horror, Violence, Gore, Murder, and Death
princesskittyglitter's review
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Racial slurs, Violence, Classism, Torture, Police brutality, Hate crime, Racism, and Murder
alisonannk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Death, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Police brutality, and Racism
deedireads's review
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/
TL;DR REVIEW:
The Trees is a super-smart, darkly satirical novel about racial lynching in the US. Very few writers could have pulled this off — I liked it a lot and respected it even more.
For you if: You liked Hell of a Book.
FULL REVIEW:
Before The Trees was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize (will it win? we will know by the end of the day today!), it wasn’t even on my radar. I’m glad the prize put it there, because wow, what a book.
This is a super-smart, darkly satire novel about racial lynching in the US, both historical and present-day. At the beginning, we meet the (now old) woman who accused Emmett Till and her family living in Money, Mississippi. One, then two, then three people turn up brutally murdered alongside a corpse that looks a lot like Emmett Till — and then it quickly spreads across the country. Two Black men police officers from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and one Black woman from the FBI are sent in to help solve the case.
When I say it like that, you’d think “of course this is a heavy book.” But this is satire, and Everett’s dark humor, levity, and wit make the heaviness feel a bit sneaky, like it comes at you sideways. For example, the lack of tone shift when he depicts white nationalists discussing a race war means it doesn’t really hit you right away (until it DOES). I don’t think just anyone could have pulled this off — because yes, it WORKS. Everett’s talent is next level.
One thing I just want to mention quickly is the US cover. At first glance, it seems pretty boring. One might not even notice the wall of text in the background behind the giant yellow letters of the title. But now having read it, I can’t imagine a different cover — this is absolutely the right one.
Last thing I’ll say: This book is extremely readable, with ~100 or so short (sometimes super-short) chapters and an excellent audiobook narrator. I think you should read it. (Especially, perhaps, if you liked Hell of a Book by Jason Mott — they’re admittedly quite different but feel sort of linked in my mind in tone and impact.)
TL;DR REVIEW:
The Trees is a super-smart, darkly satirical novel about racial lynching in the US. Very few writers could have pulled this off — I liked it a lot and respected it even more.
For you if: You liked Hell of a Book.
FULL REVIEW:
Before The Trees was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize (will it win? we will know by the end of the day today!), it wasn’t even on my radar. I’m glad the prize put it there, because wow, what a book.
This is a super-smart, darkly satire novel about racial lynching in the US, both historical and present-day. At the beginning, we meet the (now old) woman who accused Emmett Till and her family living in Money, Mississippi. One, then two, then three people turn up brutally murdered alongside a corpse that looks a lot like Emmett Till — and then it quickly spreads across the country. Two Black men police officers from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and one Black woman from the FBI are sent in to help solve the case.
When I say it like that, you’d think “of course this is a heavy book.” But this is satire, and Everett’s dark humor, levity, and wit make the heaviness feel a bit sneaky, like it comes at you sideways. For example, the lack of tone shift when he depicts white nationalists discussing a race war means it doesn’t really hit you right away (until it DOES). I don’t think just anyone could have pulled this off — because yes, it WORKS. Everett’s talent is next level.
One thing I just want to mention quickly is the US cover. At first glance, it seems pretty boring. One might not even notice the wall of text in the background behind the giant yellow letters of the title. But now having read it, I can’t imagine a different cover — this is absolutely the right one.
Last thing I’ll say: This book is extremely readable, with ~100 or so short (sometimes super-short) chapters and an excellent audiobook narrator. I think you should read it. (Especially, perhaps, if you liked Hell of a Book by Jason Mott — they’re admittedly quite different but feel sort of linked in my mind in tone and impact.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia
sam8834's review
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Easy contender for one of my best reads of the year. Holy shit, this book.
Been on my radar a while, but part of me was maybe putting it off because of the murdermysterythriller label. If you are a literary reader doing the same, don't be a dummy like me. Read. This. Because while there are murders and it's a mystery and somewhat thrilling in its story engagement, The Trees also engages with racist violence, overinflated and inept policing, horror/gore/the absurd, history in the present, and critique as satire.
Everett's writing style isn't for everyone, but everyone should give it a shot. His critique of police, in particular, through a satirical, absurdist lens, hits so hard and good.
They walked across the gravel parking lot to the bar. They had shed their blazers but still looked alarmingly like police.
"Did we start looking like this before or after we became fucking policemen?" Jim asked.
"Got me. But it's damn hard to wash off, that's all I know."
There are a lot of LEOs in this book, from various branches of the city, state, and federal forces. None of them are much help in solving a string of gruesome murders. They move, work, and think slowly, somehow in a book whose pacing is impeccable. They all have ridiculous names, except for two Mississippi Bureau of Investigation officers named Ed and Jim, indicating that there are no good cops, even the ones with names that blend in to society (the names - some of which provide a good font joke, like Helvetica, others of which are a hilarious pop culture nod, like Carl Winslow - reminded me of Pynchon, not to compare Pynchon and Everett in the least bit, but the satire and details like this can't help but lead to that likening).
The Trees is set in the present day but has a very historical feel, which I think is intentional. While the story circles the murder of Emmett Till, Everett continually and cleverly yanks you out of it with mentions of current politics, a forceful reminder that history isn't <i>just</i> history. Lynching and genocide are still happening, and we don't always see it.
"Everybody talks about genocides around the world, but when the killing is slow and spread over a hundred years, no one notices. Where there are no mass graces, no one notices. American outrage is always for show. It has a shelf life."
It's not shoved in your face, but the book is persistent enough in its satirizing of racial violence and policing that you're forced to see that while it feels like historical fiction, it is not.
Deducted part of a star for some trope-y characterization that involves fatphobia and sexism. I get that bro-y satire tends to involve this type of humor, and this book is making me think more about whether or not said satire can exist without harmful tropes (easy answer: yes?). This is otherwise such a perfect book, and I'm pulling for it to win the Booker.
Been on my radar a while, but part of me was maybe putting it off because of the murdermysterythriller label. If you are a literary reader doing the same, don't be a dummy like me. Read. This. Because while there are murders and it's a mystery and somewhat thrilling in its story engagement, The Trees also engages with racist violence, overinflated and inept policing, horror/gore/the absurd, history in the present, and critique as satire.
Everett's writing style isn't for everyone, but everyone should give it a shot. His critique of police, in particular, through a satirical, absurdist lens, hits so hard and good.
They walked across the gravel parking lot to the bar. They had shed their blazers but still looked alarmingly like police.
"Did we start looking like this before or after we became fucking policemen?" Jim asked.
"Got me. But it's damn hard to wash off, that's all I know."
There are a lot of LEOs in this book, from various branches of the city, state, and federal forces. None of them are much help in solving a string of gruesome murders. They move, work, and think slowly, somehow in a book whose pacing is impeccable. They all have ridiculous names, except for two Mississippi Bureau of Investigation officers named Ed and Jim, indicating that there are no good cops, even the ones with names that blend in to society (the names - some of which provide a good font joke, like Helvetica, others of which are a hilarious pop culture nod, like Carl Winslow - reminded me of Pynchon, not to compare Pynchon and Everett in the least bit, but the satire and details like this can't help but lead to that likening).
The Trees is set in the present day but has a very historical feel, which I think is intentional. While the story circles the murder of Emmett Till, Everett continually and cleverly yanks you out of it with mentions of current politics, a forceful reminder that history isn't <i>just</i> history. Lynching and genocide are still happening, and we don't always see it.
"Everybody talks about genocides around the world, but when the killing is slow and spread over a hundred years, no one notices. Where there are no mass graces, no one notices. American outrage is always for show. It has a shelf life."
It's not shoved in your face, but the book is persistent enough in its satirizing of racial violence and policing that you're forced to see that while it feels like historical fiction, it is not.
Deducted part of a star for some trope-y characterization that involves fatphobia and sexism. I get that bro-y satire tends to involve this type of humor, and this book is making me think more about whether or not said satire can exist without harmful tropes (easy answer: yes?). This is otherwise such a perfect book, and I'm pulling for it to win the Booker.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Hate crime, and Racism