A powerful and moving story about grief, hate and the capacity for forgiveness
The Crying Tree
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Review
'This powerful book explores forgiving the unforgivable.' --Star magazine
'This is a gripping, well-paced tale, compassionate without being mawkish.' --Guardian
'It's a deceptively simple plot, but look closely and you'll realise the skill that's gone into the construction. Ends tie up - but not too tidily. Events have their own momentum and the plot never seems contorted to accommodate a situation. It's a book which will bear rereading.' --The Bookbag
'The emotional fallout from the murder of a young boy 18 years ago is the subject of this perceptive debut, which should please Jodie Picoult fans.' --Waterstones Books Quarterly
'An absorbing rumination on the power of forgiveness.' --Choice
'If The Crying Tree doesn't make you cry, you have better control over your blubbing than I do. This is an astonishing debut novel.' --Richard Madeley, Woman's Own
If you enjoy reading Jodi Picoult, you'll love Naseem Rakha. These are big themes for a new writer but Rakha knows what she's doing... The Crying Tree is, quite simply, a terrific story.'
--Judy Finnigan, Woman's Own
'This is a gripping, well-paced tale, compassionate without being mawkish.' --Guardian
'It's a deceptively simple plot, but look closely and you'll realise the skill that's gone into the construction. Ends tie up - but not too tidily. Events have their own momentum and the plot never seems contorted to accommodate a situation. It's a book which will bear rereading.' --The Bookbag
'The emotional fallout from the murder of a young boy 18 years ago is the subject of this perceptive debut, which should please Jodie Picoult fans.' --Waterstones Books Quarterly
'An absorbing rumination on the power of forgiveness.' --Choice
'If The Crying Tree doesn't make you cry, you have better control over your blubbing than I do. This is an astonishing debut novel.' --Richard Madeley, Woman's Own
If you enjoy reading Jodi Picoult, you'll love Naseem Rakha. These are big themes for a new writer but Rakha knows what she's doing... The Crying Tree is, quite simply, a terrific story.'
--Judy Finnigan, Woman's Own
Book Description
‘If The Crying Tree doesn’t make you cry, you have better control over your blubbing than I do. This is an astonishing debut novel.’ Richard Madeley, Woman’s Own Irene Stanley thought her world had come to an end when her teenage son, Shep, is murdered. Daniel Robbin, who had spent his teenage years in and out of trouble, gave himself up to the police and was given the state’s harshest sentence: death by lethal injection. Now, nineteen years later, as the state penitentiary prepares to execute Robbin, Irene Stanley must reveal what she has been hiding from her family. That in order to survive the anger and grief she had at loosing her so, she not only had forgiven the man who killed him, but had come to be his friend. Her revelation stuns her family and cracks open the secrets that had been surrounding her son’s death. Secrets that reveal how little she understood Shep, her husband, or herself. Dramatic, emotional, and ultimately uplifting, The Crying Tree is an unforgettable story of love and redemption, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the transformative power of forgiveness. ‘If you enjoy reading Jodi Picolut, you’ll love Naseem Rakha. These are big themes for a new writer but Rakha knows what she’s doing . . . The Crying Tree is, quite simply, a terrific story.’ Judy Finnigan, Woman’s Own
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
95 of 98 people found the following review helpful
By R. Lawson
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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This is a stunning book of great depth and tenderness. A family move across the USA hoping to build a new existence, but the son is shot dead in his own home. Soon after the killer is arrested, but spends many years on death row. Mother, father and sister are distressed, angry, and look forward to the day he dies, when justice can be seen to be done and revenge taken.
The years that elapse between sentencing and the planned execution take a heavy toll on the family, and each deals with it in different ways. As the years go by the feelings within each family member shift bit by bit, as do the relationships between them.
In a nutshell, that's about it then, with the odd surprising revelation along the way. If you're looking for a book packed with action, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a book with a variety of interesting characters who have depth and complexity, and who develop in an entirely convincing way then this is the right book for you.
Though there is much anger, frustration and loss recounted in the pages, there's also a haunting beauty. It asks penetrating questions about the nature of rules, of acceptance and authority, and what gives our life purpose.
Whilst struggling with difficult and weighty matters, the delightful prose remains delicate. Nowhere has the author allowed things to get bogged down, and a few carefully crafted images are often left to do the work other authors would require pages of description to accomplish. A novel that is thoughtful, literary and readable all at the same time.
The years that elapse between sentencing and the planned execution take a heavy toll on the family, and each deals with it in different ways. As the years go by the feelings within each family member shift bit by bit, as do the relationships between them.
In a nutshell, that's about it then, with the odd surprising revelation along the way. If you're looking for a book packed with action, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a book with a variety of interesting characters who have depth and complexity, and who develop in an entirely convincing way then this is the right book for you.
Though there is much anger, frustration and loss recounted in the pages, there's also a haunting beauty. It asks penetrating questions about the nature of rules, of acceptance and authority, and what gives our life purpose.
Whilst struggling with difficult and weighty matters, the delightful prose remains delicate. Nowhere has the author allowed things to get bogged down, and a few carefully crafted images are often left to do the work other authors would require pages of description to accomplish. A novel that is thoughtful, literary and readable all at the same time.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Liz Wilkins
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book based on the reviews on here and I can't say I am sorry that I did but neither can I say it completely gripped me. For me it was one of those reads that you vaguely enjoy on some level but it doesnt make you want to add the author to your list of must buy's.
The subject matter is emotive - the loss of a child is a terrible thing and the writer has done well in pulling you in to the family grief. However, I think my personal problem was that I didnt find the characters that likeable to begin with - the only one I really felt any empathy for was Bliss, the daughter left behind as the sole child of the family. HER grief and eventual need to move past it resonated with me. That character is the reason I give the book 3 stars and not 2.
Certainly I can understand why it has so many rave reviews - some people are going to "feel" this story more than others, it just didnt quite get there for me.
The subject matter is emotive - the loss of a child is a terrible thing and the writer has done well in pulling you in to the family grief. However, I think my personal problem was that I didnt find the characters that likeable to begin with - the only one I really felt any empathy for was Bliss, the daughter left behind as the sole child of the family. HER grief and eventual need to move past it resonated with me. That character is the reason I give the book 3 stars and not 2.
Certainly I can understand why it has so many rave reviews - some people are going to "feel" this story more than others, it just didnt quite get there for me.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Daisychain
Format:Paperback
This is the first time I have reviewed a book but I felt compelled to encourage others to read this. I thought it was beautifully written, moving and suspenseful. I enjoyed it so much I could hardly put it down but at the same time didn't want it to end. I loved it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely copy
Although have not read this book yet, am really pleased with the lovely condition of the book. The resume of the book sounds intriguing, so will not be long before I get to read... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Morfydd Power
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book
This book is amazing, such a good read and at such a good price. Looking forward to more books from this author!
Published 1 month ago by Fay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotional and thought provoking
This is a book to make you think. It is beautifully written and I have returned to parts of it several times. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs C Hutchinson
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very modern tale of justice
This is a very compelling book, which is easy and enjoyable to read. At times discomfiting it forces questions about morality and justice. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Deb at the Grange
4.0 out of 5 stars
very good read
enjoyed this book and wasn't prepared for the twist in the story. made you think and see things from a different perspective.
Published 1 month ago by Haze55
4.0 out of 5 stars
Silent Night
The Crying Tree was a book I took quite a while to get into but once started and understanding where the story was going it I had to find out how it ended. Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. Curwen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping
I found this book thought provoking and gripping until the end.
Great characters and I could totally empathise with all of them.
Great characters and I could totally empathise with all of them.
Published 4 months ago by K. Kinsley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking
A stunningly breathtakingly novel which makes us realise how fragile our lives are yet how complex they can be, brilliant
Published 4 months ago by nicola antonaccio
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
I couldn't put this down. It got me through many a train journey and in fact i didn't want to get off at my station as wanted to carry on reading.
Published 4 months ago by Jacqui Matlock
3.0 out of 5 stars
Capital punishment explored
I didn't like the beginning of this book which was about the harsh realities of USA police, prison-systems and the death penalty. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Cordelia Bryan
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