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A review by jenwestpfahl
The Trees: A Novel by Percival Everett
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Trees is such a strange yet compelling book. I loved the writing style and pacing. I wouldn’t call it funny as many people have but I did appreciate the absurdity of the character names and descriptions and dialog. It is a really interesting way to write about the very serious and not totally in the past subject of lynching.
At first I found the last 40ish pages annoyingly repetitive, but as it sunk in, that feels exactly right. Lynchings were (and police shootings often are) similarly repetitive. Same predictable story, different locations and characters.
The White House chapters felt out of place and tangential to the story even though I get why he wanted to include them.
I didn’t give it a 5 because the ending was so abrupt and doesn’t quite explain or answer the “how.” I think I get the meaning of it but would have liked for it also to tie up the plot.
At first I found the last 40ish pages annoyingly repetitive, but as it sunk in, that feels exactly right. Lynchings were (and police shootings often are) similarly repetitive. Same predictable story, different locations and characters.
The White House chapters felt out of place and tangential to the story even though I get why he wanted to include them.
I didn’t give it a 5 because the ending was so abrupt and doesn’t quite explain or answer the “how.” I think I get the meaning of it but would have liked for it also to tie up the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder