The Sea Of Trees [uncorrected Proof]

by Yannick Murphy

A New York Times Notable Book In a first novel of "vivid, harrowing beauty" (People), Murphy surveys the landscape of war and peace through the unflinching gaze of an adolescent girl. Set in Indochina in the 1940s, The Sea of Trees is narrated by Tian, who is taken prisoner when the Japanese invade Shanghai. Based on stories from the author's own family history and laced with Chinese folklore, this startling novel "could not be more artful" (Los Angeles Times).

Genres: Fiction, China

Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Yannick Murphy is the author of the novels, The Call, Signed, Mata Hari, Here They Come, and The Sea of Trees. Her story collections include Stories in Another Language and In a Bear's Eye. Her children's books include The Cold Water Witch, Baby Polar, and Ahwhoooooooo!. She is the recipient of various awards including a Whiting Writer's Award, a National Endowment for the Arts award, a Chesterfield Screenwriting award and her story In a Bear's Eye was recently published in the 2007 O'Henry Prize Stories.

Reviews

[Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from the perspective of a young girl named Tian, half French, half Chinese this novel weaves folklore with Murphy's own mystical writing style while exploring the difficulties of growing up. The novel begins with Tian and her family in a Japanese camp during WWII. Tian is on the brink of adolescence and being a prisoner of war adds a surreal twist to the problems of growing up. The novel follows Tian's acute observation of the individuals and the world around her as she moves from the camp to the war raged countryside, through other countries and into adulthood. Murphy is an excellent writer who crafts amazing stories that pull the reader out of the everyday and into the magical. I highly recommend all of her novels.

[Tara Lama · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language was unique and striking however, I really wish the author would have explained the historical context better. If a reader doesn’t already have a broad knowledge of China and Vietnam during WW2, the book will be hard to understand at certain points. Also, something that frustrated me was that the main character undergoes a fair amount of abuse that the book never shows her processing. Some parts of the plot also felt extremely rushed. Despite these issues, the book was outstanding in terms of creative descriptions and unforgettable scenes! I would still recommend the book but, prepare yourself to be frustrated at certain parts.

[Misti Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read to page 30 and just had to stop, I can’t handle the style of writing of this author. There just wasn’t enough information in the book to follow along. The problem is is that is being told in the perspective of a girl, which I feel like it was written by a 10 year old.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has all the pluses that the reviews said. I did like it. I found it a tiny bit disappointing as historical fiction. She worked so hard at staying in the voice of the protagonist that she missed a hundred opportunities to give us a little context to understand what was happening better. I'm pretty vague about the state of the map in that part of the world both just before and just after the war. The family seemed to have lived in both Shanghai and somewhere in Vietnam. Was it easy to move back and forth? I guess the colonial French were in power in Vietnam, they let people come and go freely? What was the state of things in China just then? What did her father do? He had long fingers and a straight nose and danced well, but I don't know what he did in Shanghai or why he moved his family to Vietnam or what kind of circles he moved in with his French wife and half-breed kids. I think she could have worked in some of what feels like essential background without detracting from the adolescent point of view.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous book -- rich in imagery, uniquely structured. I didn't finish it simply because I just can't currently read a book about a young girl in a prison camp. When I can stand the heartbreak, I'll turn back to it.

[Ciaran groarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really strong book. war, loss, love, madness. great young female narrator.