Customer Reviews

Different Trees from the Same Root

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently read on a discussion board about authors having to fulfill "page counts" when submitting books to major publishing houses. The argument was: having a "page count" minimum often adds unnecessary fluff to a novel. I countered with: sometimes recommending more pages could mean that more depth, description, plot, etc. needs to be added to the story to improve its presentation. That's my sentiment with Different Trees from the Same Root. Reading it was comparable to running in a relay...on your mark, get set, GO! Run as fast as you can until you reach the finish line.

Different Trees from the Same Root begins with first person narratives of its main characters - Delilah "Journey", Walter, Rachel and Christina. Each tells their story and their struggles. A good beginning but somewhere between Chapters 4 and 6, you suddenly end up in the middle of their lives, without warning. For instance, Walter and Christina were contemplating dating, next they're dating, then they're married, suddenly they're having a baby, the baby is walking, and... Stop pushing the fast forward button so I can savor the story. Unfortunately that's not the case, the same happens with the other two characters. Rachel had issues with her sexuality, she struggled, she accepted, she moved on. Journey had issues with her lifestyle, she found an angel who accepted her for who she was, they lived happily ever after, tragedy struck, family was brought together after years of abandonment. Where is the element of surprise? As I turned the pages I knew almost verbatim what the next page was going to read.

Different Trees from the Same Root lacked substance; it didn't have enough "fluff" to keep the reader interested. Too predictable, not enough description, not enough history, not enough... Every story/life altering event was neatly packaged with a four-page minimum (sometimes less) from each narrator. Although the stories were good, they could have easily been told in an hour-long conversation. Not to mention a lot of misplaced metaphors, timelines, names, subplots and plots.

All is not lost. Once the storytelling skills are honed and fine tuned, Clarke has a blossoming future as a writer. While Different Trees from the Same Root is mediocre, there is a lot of potential.

Reviewed by Esther "Ess" Mays of Loose Leaves Book Review

Ms. Clarks Different Trees From The Same Root was not only a fast read filled with drama but it also caused me to get goose bumps and cry. The storyline and characters were simply magnificent. The story holds you captive as you are so into the next event that you are paralyzed to the end.

Walter Armstrong was abandon by his father after his mother died and left to be raised by his barely eighteen year old sister. Going through life and handling the responsibility of fatherhood was like second nature for him. He totally refuses to abandon his child like his father had done him. It was good watching him remain the good guy throughout.

Journey a female character brought up being abused and dealing with a drug addict mother and a father who felt it was his duty to have sex with her ran away after being confronted with the reality that her father may be her child's father. Journey a name given to her by a john that she picked up as his quest is to pull her off the mean city streets of Detroit and give her a life that is much more pleasant. I don't want to tell you too much of this womens story I think it would be putting too much out there. I will say I enjoyed this book immensely.

I most likely would have given this book a five star rating however, her character Rachel's story could have been a whole other book in its entirety. It had no relevance to the Journey and her story. But all in all this was a great read. I started this book and finished it all within a five hour span, again I would recommend anyone to read this book who is dealing with lost love ones and homosexuality.

Stacy D Campbell

DIFFERENT TREES FROM THE SAME ROOT by Cheril N. Clarke take us back into the lives of Walter, Rachel, Christina and Sheila with a new character, Deliah "Journey" Noble, added to the mix along with several other secondary characters. The aforementioned characters first appeared in Clarke's debut novel Foundations and while it is not absolutely necessary to read that novel, because Clarke does an excellent job of revisiting, Foundations is a good prelude to the awakening of the characters you will find in DIFFERENT TREES FROM THE SAME ROOT.

DIFFERENT TREES FROM THE SAME ROOT, told in first person, opens with an introduction by Journey; she is as raw as she is real. Journey, now in her early 40s, was a teenage mother who abandoned her infant daughter and both were left to fend for themselves in life. Watch as Journey makes a trek through life and find out where she ends up and how. With the return of Walter, we find his landscaping business thriving and his love life at a standstill. Add in Walter's love poems and you have a very committed and loving single father. When we left Rachel in Foundations she was on a mission to find her true self. Rachel travels to Miami from Silver Spring, Maryland, to New York City and back again only to be faced with the realization of what life holds for her. Christina, the daughter of wealthy parents, appears again and is as confused as ever as she searches for meaning in a pending relationship and a desire to rekindle a friendship. All of the characters connect in more ways than one which will definitely surprise the senses.

While some scenes are predictable, this is a very emotional, high impact and spiritual novel about fate, self-awareness, the love of self and the ability to carry on as long as you have faith in a higher being.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Different Trees from the Same Root, a novel by one Cheril Clarke is the type of book that pulls you in from the first sentence. Even if you have not read the first book in the series, Foundations, you can easily pick this book up as if this is not a continuation of the first book.

A very spiritual book, the author invites you into a world told from the perspective of four different characters, Journey, Walter, Christina, and Rachel, each with certain obstacles that they must get pass in order for their life to be complete.

Let it be known that I am happy and excited that you chose me to read your book. I do not know whether or not you wanted my exact thoughts on the material, but I think you did a great job and I look forward to reading more material of yours.

I am proud of you, and hope you continued success.

I absolutely loved the characters, as for 2 of them I can relate to their lifestyles and situations. Journey sounds like someone I would want in my life, in a mentoring role.

I am thoroughly confused. Just when I thought Rachel's life was going good, you abruptly finished
her story, is there more to come? Please say this is not the end of her character.

I fell in love with Walter, nuff said. Its so great to see this character in a positive light.

I look forward to more works from this author.

I love the interplay of the characters.

It shows how each one of us is interrelated to the other....whether we know it or not.

How love can be found when one isn't looking....or in the place one would least expect....that as long as you strive in life your dreams can come true.

I want to know about these people.