The Shade of My Own Tree [Paperback]

Sheila Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2003

Beloved author Sheila Williams beautifully captures the bittersweet humor and vivid adventures of women who survive the worst life can toss at them—and fight back to claim their right to be free, to be themselves, and to live in . . .

The courage to change doesn’t come easy. When Opal Sullivan walks out on an abusive husband after fifteen years, she has only her dreams in her pocket. Her new beginning starts in Appalachian River country, where she sees a bit of herself in a graceful but dilapidated house. Like Opal, the house is worn-out and somewhat beaten up, but it still stands proudly and deserves a second chance.

So Opal opens her doors—and her heart—to a parade of unforgettable characters. There’s sassy Bette Smith with her cantaloupe-colored hair and four-inch heels; short-tempered Gloria and her devilish son, Troy; the mysterious Dana, who dresses in black and keeps exclusively nocturnal hours; a dog named “Bear” who is afraid of his own shadow; and Jack, who doesn’t mind hanging out with an OBBWA (old black broad with an attitude). It is Jack who helps Opal understand a funny thing about life: You can’t move forward if you keep looking back. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As she did in her first novel, Dancing on the Edge of the Moon (2002), Williams weaves another great story about a woman seeking self-discovery. After years of abuse, Opal Sullivan finally leaves her husband. She purchases an old yellow house on a river, which becomes a symbol of her life: somewhat beaten but still strong and deserving of another chance. She takes in boarders. Her first houseguests are Gloria and Gloria's son, Troy. Gloria left her husband and is struggling with doing what is best for her son against what is safe for her. Dana rents the coach house and has everyone guessing about her occupation and nocturnal lifestyle. Jack, the handyman, expresses an interest in Opal and proves to be more than just a friend. Opal even recharges her relationship with her daughter, Imani. As the tenants come and go, they each help Opal learn something about herself and become more determined to live for the future. A well-written tale. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

Beloved author Sheila Williams beautifully captures the bittersweet humor and vivid adventures of women who survive the worst life can toss at them?and fight back to claim their right to be free, to be themselves, and to live in . . .

The courage to change doesn?t come easy. When Opal Sullivan walks out on an abusive husband after fifteen years, she has only her dreams in her pocket. Her new beginning starts in Appalachian River country, where she sees a bit of herself in a graceful but dilapidated house. Like Opal, the house is worn-out and somewhat beaten up, but it still stands proudly and deserves a second chance.

So Opal opens her doors?and her heart?to a parade of unforgettable characters. There?s sassy Bette Smith with her cantaloupe-colored hair and four-inch heels; short-tempered Gloria and her devilish son, Troy; the mysterious Dana, who dresses in black and keeps exclusively nocturnal hours; a dog named ?Bear? who is afraid of his own shadow; and Jack, who doesn?t mind hanging out with an OBBWA (old black broad with an attitude). It is Jack who helps Opal understand a funny thing about life: You can?t move forward if you keep looking back. . . .

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine; 1 edition (August 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345465172
• ISBN-13: 978-0345465177
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,280,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, December 17, 2004

By 

Miss T "Indy Girl" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Shade of My Own Tree (Paperback)

I really liked this book, but I didn't think it was as good as Dancing on the edge of the Roof. I wish she gone into more detail of the emotions battered women face when they leave their abusive husbands. The author could have expanded more on Gloria's, Opal's boarder, struggle between rebuilding her life and her guilt for not going back to her son's father. I think Opal's husband would have been more realistic if he hadn't always been so hostile. Often abusive husbands try to woo back their wives once they've left, Opal's husband does not attemtpt to do that. Also, I would have liked Imani to have been a little angry with her mother not leaving sooner. Overall I thought the book tried very hard and did a good job of explaining the complexities of leaving an abusive relationship. I think Ms. Williams made it clear that leaving an abusive relationship involves more than just physically picking up and leaving. I like that in both of Ms. Williams books her lead characters are middle aged women who are just discovering themselves. Ms. Williams really seems to be able to write about women who are on the edge in gripping, beautiful language.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting Your Identity Back, January 21, 2004

By 

R.E.A.L. Reviewers (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shade of My Own Tree (Paperback)

Sheila Williams has come back at us with, The Shade of My Own Tree. Domestic abuse is something that not every woman or man has a chance to walk away from. If they are lucky to do so, starting over may not be as easy as they envisioned. Will they be able to make it? Be able to stay strong and not go back to the abuser? Opal Sullivan made that choice to walk away and start over before it was too late. This is her journey to reclaiming her identity.

What seems to be a trend in William's stories, you meet a rainbow of characters. From the eccentric Bette Smith, the adventurous vampire slaying Troy, the moving rag mat dog Bear, to the mysterious woman in black living in the coach house. One big step for Opal, after leaving her husband, Ted, was finding a place of her own. That came in an old Victorian by the river, that looked as if it had seen better days. Like Opal, the house and its occupants, were on a road of discoveries and second chances. Opal rediscovers her passion for painting, and love where she least expected.

There were times when the story lulled, but Ms. Williams has a way with words that keeps you tugging on. This is a great story of people learning to lean on each other and ask for the help that they thought they would never receive. Thus reclaiming themselves.

Jacki
R.E.A.L. Reviewers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For every woman in search of her own life, October 6, 2003

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shade of My Own Tree (Paperback)

In under THE SHADE OF MY OWN TREE we sit with Opal Sullivan as she tells the story of why she set out on her quest for her own life; of the solitary confinement of her marriage; her husband's constant belittlement of her spirit, & his beatings. Even after her daughter is born the battering continues, & so Opal becomes "there but not there, lurking around the edges of my daughter's life" (Page 10) for 20 long years. & if she thought that was tough, then the divorce lawyer gets his digs in too.

It takes quite a while before Opal finds she has the soul of an artist, before she develops the irreverence of a stand-up Feminist, & her mind begins to work again. Before she knows it she's become an inquisitive, earthy being. Oh, & by the way, Opal is African-American.

THE SHADE OF MY OWN TREE is one of the best stories about domestic violence, its appalling cost & how one woman got out from under it.

RebeccasReads hopes it becomes a "must read" for Reading Groups everywhere because it is dangerous, exciting, funny, filled with redemption & well written.