Customer Reviews

Tree Surgery for Beginners

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

 

 

I liked this book enormously. It had such a contemporary feel to it and yet I couldn't help draw comparisons to 19th century writers like Hardy, Dickens, and Collins. The novel starts out with a criminal investigation but quickly resolves that plotline and delves into the workings of the family. Like a network of branches and twigs in a maturing tree, we follow the characters in increasingly complicated paths and watch how they keep crossing those paths in outrageous coincidence after coincidence. For those readers that love novels of character and writers who work wonders with the English language, this is a novel worth discovering.

I read this book recently on the strength of reading Gale's collection of short stories (a gift). The unlikely title and some of the plot-details on the cover may be off-putting to some. This would be a pity because Gale tells a story of many layers which succeeds because you actually care about nearly every character, and the intrigue of the plot as each character develops. (Yes the plot does depend on some unlikely coincidences, but by the time these are recognised, you don't really care, because of the way it works for the characters). At the end you understand the seemingly bizarre title - the bittersweet conclusion left me a little moist-eyed. (Only Mark Helprin's books have done that to me before.) I came across these books in Australia (Gale is English) - I haven't seen his work stocked in US stores - but on inquiry found that this title would be. I hope this provides the wider readership he deserves.

Patrick Gale has written yet another fine book full of believable characters and unpredictable plots. I have read all of his books and found them to be consistently well written, entertaining, and thought-provoking. This book delves into the infinite complexities of human relationships but does not become ponderous. His sudden and eccentric plot twists keep the reader stimulated and guessing. This book may seem dark at first, but don't give up - there is a rare treat in store. I have eagerly awaited Patrick Gale's each new offering for the last 10 years and have yet to be disappointed.

While Gale demonstrates considerable writing talent, he's unable to sustain the pace for more than a few pages at a time. The hapless hero is unconvincing - one moment all rugged virility, the next a wimpering wuss - and the dialog is often dreadful. As for the implausible plot twists noted by other reviewers, either you accept them as essential to the fable-like atmosphere of the book, or you regret that Gale finally resorts to a sitcom story line to pull it all together. But despite all its failings, I can't help but give Gale at least two stars for some writing that's good enough to keep me on his side - hoping in vain that in the end he'll really pull it off. Unfortunately, he doesn't.

Gale carves up the Family Tree & puts it back together in ways that surprise to the last page. Much of this is achieved by exploiting the reader's prejudice about birth order & family relationships. Like mental judo, he probes for a weakness - and will throw you before you know it.

If it seems improbable - it is!! If you're able to laugh at your own prejudice, you'll like this ... and it's great for existing fans of teasy, clever Gale.

* OnlyMe reviews from an Only-Child point of view.