Customer Reviews

The Shade of My Own Tree

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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

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.

In the last couple of years Black fiction has been dominated by sex comedies and street life novels. The Shade of My Own Tree is a blessed relief. It's a finely written book about real life and a woman that many of us can relate to. Opal has finally gotten the strength to run from decades of abuse in her miserable marriage. Slowly she recovers herself and begins to build the life she always wanted and deserved. This book has a brave, resilient heroine, side characters who aren't cardbook stereotypes and it has a great story. Sheila Williams has written a book she can be very proud of.

I really liked this story. The characters were well developed. I was routing for the heroine in this story. I loved the way she turned her life around and opened her home to other abused woman. I love the way that with the help of people around her that she came to understand that everyone new what was going on in her life and that altough she tried to hide the bruises, everyone knew that she was an abused woman. I loved the way that her relationship developed with the male charatcer that volunteered his time at the shelter because his sister was in an abusive relationship. In addition, the supporting characters were great. I loved the real estate agent. She was fun. Along with the mysterious woman that rented out the garage apartment. The child in this story, boy did he deserve a spanking but he had redeeming qualities as well. I liked the fact that his mother was able to get on with her life and get a really nice job as a land scaper. The sad side of this story was the young girl that tried to support her abusive boyfriend and paid for it in the end with being brutally beat up by him. This was a great story that I highly recommend.

Sheila Williams' second offering of a down on her luck woman packs the same punch as her first offering, Dancing On the Edge of the Roof. The Shade of My Own Tree introduces Opal Sullivan, a mentally and physically battered divorcee trying to decide what to do with her life. Williams expertly takes us back in time to relive Opal's life as a young mother and wife forced to sever ties with her extended family.

After purchasing a dilapidated house in Appalachia, Opal puts in motion the necessary renovations to take in female boarders temporarily. While the core of the novel highlights Opal's strengths coupled with the reservations of putting her dreams in motion, Williams showcases some very zany characters that add much-needed humor to Opal's situation. These characters allow Opal to offer a helping hand in their lives while Opal gets a glimpse of the person she once was. What better person to help a battered woman than a former battered woman.

With witty dialogue, a helping hand from Opal and from the boarders and other new friends, Sheila Williams offers hope for everyday women with a renewed energy.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub

Sheila Williams has delivered another outstanding adventure of a women on a personal journey. In Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, her debut novel; Juanita Lewis' adventure starts on a bus ride to nowhere. Opal Sullivan the protagnist in The Shade of My Own Tree adventure begins at a yellow house on Burning Church Road.

I once heard someone say that God promised everything we need is already in us. After fifteen years of physical, sexual, mental and verbal abuse Opal finds within her what she needs to handle life when it gets out of control.

She is joined by a plethora of colorful characters who could pass for a little devil, a vampire and a knight in shining armor. Fortunately for Ms Sullivan these characters are her allies and teach her how to find a nice place in the shade.

Ms. Williams vivid writing style will keep you entertained from cover to cover. She has satiated the taste buds of this avid reader.

When Opal suddenly becomes the object of desire of Ted, the most popular boy in high school, she is immensely flattered and taken aback. She takes on the challenge however, and the two start dating. They eventually marry and have a child, but there is no happily ever after for Opal. A little over Two years into their marriage Ted becomes physically abusive, leaving a bewildered Opal feeling trapped with no hope of escape.

Eventually she finds the courage to flee her abusive relationship and attempts to reclaim her independence.
The illustrious cast of characters she encounters in her day to day life as she attempts to carve out a new existence for herself is the highlight of this unforgettable story.

Created from the point of view of the victim, Sheila Williams does a superb job in presenting a provocative and profoundly insightful story of one woman's courage, strength and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Though a work of fiction, this eloquently written novel offers a fascinating yet credible glimpse into the lives of victims of domestic abuse.

Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I loved Opal, the main character in this wonderful new novel by Sheila. She married the wrong man and stayed with him even though he was cruel and physically abusive, because of her daughter, well maybe she does not really know why she stayed. She felt worthless, sad and afraid all of the time. Imani, her daughter, grows up and eventually Opal leaves, this time for good. How does she begin again? Opal's new home is big enough for other people who need a safe haven. An eclectic case of characters are described with humor and compassion. I was uplifted by Opal's journey from pain to empowerment and I know you will be too. If you enjoyed Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, don't miss this terrific new work by Sheila Williams.

Sheila Williams's sophomore effort, The Shade of My Own Tree is a wonderful, witty story of Opal Sullivan's journey to self-rediscovery after years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband, Ted. After nearly twenty years, she finally reaches a point when she does not recognize herself in the mirror and decides to leave and begin a new life. For her new dwelling, she chooses a dilapidated old home in a picturesque river town in need of a lot of work, much like herself. Renovating the home becomes a therapeutic release and symbolic of healing and reconstruction of her self-identity and esteem. Along the way, she meets many eccentric characters, some in the form of a "divafied" realtor, a confederate flag waving geriatric neighbor, a vampire-like boarder, and a bear of a dog that is afraid of his own shadow.

She opens her heart and offers her home as a safe haven to other abused women and finds herself giving advice that she herself only months before could not have thought, much less uttered or taken. Through these acts, she discovers romance, healing, and herself. Although one of the themes of the story surrounds physical abuse, Williams's novel is sprinkled with the down-home humor and common sense expressions reminiscent of J. California Cooper's wisdom. The Shade of My Own Tree is a splendid story with a delightful sub-plot that is perfectly paced, very well written, and very easy to read. Bravo, Ms.Williams....keep `em coming.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, The Nubian Circle Book Club