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The Palaver Tree
Africa: Beautiful, serene ... and dangerous
Lives and fortunes change in the blink of an eye.
After suffering a terrible tragedy in her home town, Ellie Hathaway is offered an opportunity she can’t resist. A teaching position in a remote African village, through The Hope Foundation, run by the enigmatic Gabriel Cole.
But dark forces and ambitions were in play long before Ellie set foot on the dusty plains of Africa.
Just as Ellie is beginning to believe she might find happiness again, she realises something is very wrong at the school.
Is Gabriel Cole really the guardian angel everyone believes him to be?
Realising she needs to tread carefully, or put those around her at risk, Ellie starts searching for answers. Then political chaos descends, and Ellie finds herself in terrible danger...
Lives and fortunes change in the blink of an eye.
After suffering a terrible tragedy in her home town, Ellie Hathaway is offered an opportunity she can’t resist. A teaching position in a remote African village, through The Hope Foundation, run by the enigmatic Gabriel Cole.
But dark forces and ambitions were in play long before Ellie set foot on the dusty plains of Africa.
Just as Ellie is beginning to believe she might find happiness again, she realises something is very wrong at the school.
Is Gabriel Cole really the guardian angel everyone believes him to be?
Realising she needs to tread carefully, or put those around her at risk, Ellie starts searching for answers. Then political chaos descends, and Ellie finds herself in terrible danger...
- GenresAfrica
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2012
3 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Unsworth
8 books161 followersWendy Unsworth was born and raised in Lincolnshire, England. Her passions are her family, travel, beautiful gardens and reading and writing stories. Wendy lived in Ndola, Zambia and Nairobi, Kenya throughout the 1980's and early '90's before returning to the U.K. to acclimatise back to the English weather in a draughty Cornish cottage close to Bodmin Moor!
Never one to stay still for long, Wendy currently divides her time between Edinburgh and the wilds of Portugal, places she loves, and where she can be close to loved ones.
The African continent has left a lasting impression; Wendy's first novel, The Palaver Tree, is set in a fictional Central African country and the fictional Cornish village of Berriwood, from which the series gets its name. Beneathwood, is the second book in the Berriwood Series, re-introducing cameo characters from The Palaver Tree and telling their own individual story. Her latest book, Dirty Work, proves without a doubt that the quiet, English countryside can be a dangerous place to live! Whilst focusing on the inhabitants of the fictional village of Berriwood, each story can be read as a standalone.
Never one to stay still for long, Wendy currently divides her time between Edinburgh and the wilds of Portugal, places she loves, and where she can be close to loved ones.
The African continent has left a lasting impression; Wendy's first novel, The Palaver Tree, is set in a fictional Central African country and the fictional Cornish village of Berriwood, from which the series gets its name. Beneathwood, is the second book in the Berriwood Series, re-introducing cameo characters from The Palaver Tree and telling their own individual story. Her latest book, Dirty Work, proves without a doubt that the quiet, English countryside can be a dangerous place to live! Whilst focusing on the inhabitants of the fictional village of Berriwood, each story can be read as a standalone.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 11, 2012
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
“The Palaver Tree” is an impressive and unique discovery by this new-to-me author. Within the pages of her first book in the “Berriwood” series, Wendy Unsworth writes in defining details a stunning story of betrayal, danger and love as readers travel from a small village in Cornwall, England to the hot and impoverished lands of Africa where political tensions are running high.
Ellie Hathaway, a recently widowed teacher, volunteers for a position with the Hope Foundation promoted by a personal friend. Once there in the small village of Limba, Ellie realizes things are not what they should be and fears the enigmatic headmaster, Gabriel Cole, may be at the center of it all. A plot interwoven with unanswered questions, deceptions and temptations, you’ll be mesmerized until the last word in the powerful conclusion. Highly recommend.
“Beneathwood,” the next installment in the “Berriwood” series is scheduled for release in the summer of 2012 -- and I will definitely be reading it shortly thereafter.
“The Palaver Tree” is an impressive and unique discovery by this new-to-me author. Within the pages of her first book in the “Berriwood” series, Wendy Unsworth writes in defining details a stunning story of betrayal, danger and love as readers travel from a small village in Cornwall, England to the hot and impoverished lands of Africa where political tensions are running high.
Ellie Hathaway, a recently widowed teacher, volunteers for a position with the Hope Foundation promoted by a personal friend. Once there in the small village of Limba, Ellie realizes things are not what they should be and fears the enigmatic headmaster, Gabriel Cole, may be at the center of it all. A plot interwoven with unanswered questions, deceptions and temptations, you’ll be mesmerized until the last word in the powerful conclusion. Highly recommend.
“Beneathwood,” the next installment in the “Berriwood” series is scheduled for release in the summer of 2012 -- and I will definitely be reading it shortly thereafter.
October 13, 2012
Ellie Hathaway and Diane Henderson are close friends, who live in the village of Berriwood in Cornwall. Diane enjoys doing community and charity work. She holds charity lunches to promote a charity called The Hope Foundation. The charity is run by a man called Gabriel Cole and the charity provides sponsors for children to attend a school in Africa that the charity runs. Tiffany is Gabriel’s girlfriend and she helps run the charity’s office in London.
After a family tragedy Ellie decides to go out and work at the school in Africa teaching to help out the charity. Promise is a young girl who works at the school and is close to Gabriel.
Four women with one charity and one man in common. But is the seemingly, good and exceptional Gabriel Cole all he claims to be?
The Palaver Tree is a compelling and remarkable story about four women who have tried to do a good deed through charity work, only to find bad. Corruption, betrayal and pain and murder will enter their lives. The story is really well written to a very high standard that keeps the reader gripped and engrossed from beginning to end. The story is told from all of the four women’s view points, building the story up to a powerful and moving ending. This is one of those great books that you just can not put down. I look forward to reading more books by Wendy Unsworth.
After a family tragedy Ellie decides to go out and work at the school in Africa teaching to help out the charity. Promise is a young girl who works at the school and is close to Gabriel.
Four women with one charity and one man in common. But is the seemingly, good and exceptional Gabriel Cole all he claims to be?
The Palaver Tree is a compelling and remarkable story about four women who have tried to do a good deed through charity work, only to find bad. Corruption, betrayal and pain and murder will enter their lives. The story is really well written to a very high standard that keeps the reader gripped and engrossed from beginning to end. The story is told from all of the four women’s view points, building the story up to a powerful and moving ending. This is one of those great books that you just can not put down. I look forward to reading more books by Wendy Unsworth.
June 28, 2012
I loved this book. It is well written I usually don't like to switch viewpoints of characters while reading, but Wendy Unsworth made it flow seamlessly. The story was amazing, the emotions flying I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened next. I have recommended this book to all of my friends I believe any book reader no matter their preferred genre would love this book.
April 2, 2014
Title: The Palaver Tree
Author: Wendy Unsworth
Genre: Mainstream Fiction
Length: 120,000 words (estimated)
Reviewer: Pearson Moore
Rating: 2.5 stars
Summary
British aid workers get caught up in a web of conspiracy, corruption, and power struggles in a Central African republic. Unsavory swindlers take advantage of political corruption to plunder charitable organizations and ruin lives. The Palaver Tree tells a story of personal tragedy and loss in the lives of Ellie Hathaway of Cornwall and several Central African families.
Review
This story offers fascinating characters and sets up an intricate web of corruption and deceit but fails to engage at the beginning and provides a formulaic ending rather than bringing about true resolution. Expert plotting and outstanding character portraits in the middle 75 percent of the novel are hampered by poor story set-up and haphazard associations to a too-large cast of supporting characters. The two major plot threads, focusing on a British con artist and a Central African political leader's quest for power, are not well integrated, leading to an unsatisfying ending. The text contains mild- to medium-severity grammatical and usage errors. The novel would have benefited from copy editing and content editing prior to publication.
The main characters are nicely drawn. Once I completed the long, difficult, and poorly structured first section of the novel, I found myself taken in by Ellie, long-suffering Promise, self-absorbed Tiffany, 'Smart Alec' (a Central African local who is more than he appears to be), and the very smooth Gabriel Cole, who is one of the most magnificently built baddies I've had the pleasure of reading.
Getting to the point of being able to follow the characters was not easy. After several dozen reviews, and several hundred rejections (I hate writing one-star reviews, so I reject the truly awful novels), I'm used to novels with too many characters. This nearly epic-scale novel has fewer than six dozen named characters, which is not necessarily difficult to manage. However, even with very careful tracking of names--writing them down and categorizing them on the fly--I was often stymied in understanding character relationships. In many cases, a first name mentioned on page 12 or 25 did not receive a surname until page 220 or 315. I often had to guess at a character's identity by behavior clues. For instance, on page 189, 'Inger' was eating off someone's lap. My best guess, based on context, was that Inger was a pet, probably a dog or cat. It wasn't until much later that 'Inger' entered into conversation, and at first I guessed she was a child. Much later, though, it seemed as though 'Inger' was probably an adult woman. To be honest, even after having completed the novel, I don't know if Inger was child or woman. This was a particularly egregious example of inadequate character description, but there were many such instances throughout the novel. Tiffany's mother, a character frequently mentioned throughout the novel, was given substantial bits of dialog but no name. She was simply 'Tiffany's mum' until finally, on page 250 (!!), she identified herself as Sharon, 'but everyone calls me Shas.' Yikes! I had to struggle too hard to gather the smallest tidbit to figure out character relationships, many of which were critical to the plot.
I would have rejected this novel for review if not for the strong plot that coalesced about 15 percent of the way into the novel. This plot was crafted with such expertise, it was as if I were suddenly reading a different book, especially in light of the sloppy set-up early on and the complete lack of discernible hook. I found myself reading faster and faster, soaking up the story and loving every page. Wow! It was finally a real novel, and I quickly ramped up from a 1- or 2-star review to possibly considering a four star. But the ending fizzled. There were two major plotlines, one of which determined the protagonist's fate and caused by far the greatest suffering for most of the characters. But the other plotline, that really figured through the greater part of the story, was not well integrated. There was a telling scene during the mayhem of Ellie's almost-escape, when Promise saw the antagonist talking on the phone. I interpreted his actions (or actually his lack of action) during that phone call as strong indication that the bad guy was part of the power grab going on all around him in Ducana (the fictitious Central African republic). In my copious notes, I wrote 'Why else would he have returned to Ducana? He must be part of President Dede's conspiracy!' Well, no, unfortunately, he was not. This would have been fine, too, but neither plot thread was satisfactorily resolved by the end.
For readers looking for nothing more than an interesting 'slice of life' with quite fascinating characters, this novel may serve very nicely. Those readers seeking something more may wish to pass and find better constructed stories.
Grammatical errors were rampant, as is frequently the case in self-published novels. Editing is expensive, and few aspiring writers possess the basic wordsmithing skills to recognize these types of errors. Vocative case errors were particularly noticeable but were erratic, as if an editor came through but caught only half the errors. These are often nothing more than a mild distraction, but in this novel were at times truly problematic. For instance, at one point (p. 181), a character speaks with Ellie, saying, "I can manage Ellie. Have a joyous weekend." A fast reader might not catch that the character was speaking with Ellie, and therefore come away with the mistaken impression that the character was claiming to be able to manage or deal with Ellie. The irregularity of this mistake was stunning. So, for example, on p. 71, a character says, "You can't Sweetheart," but on p. 72 says, "It's not going to be September, Sweetheart." I found dozens of such examples. Confusion of plural with singular possessive, common among non-writers, occurred here but with relatively low frequency. So, for example, "The Patel's would have assumed her already gone." (p. 299)
2.5 stars
Author: Wendy Unsworth
Genre: Mainstream Fiction
Length: 120,000 words (estimated)
Reviewer: Pearson Moore
Rating: 2.5 stars
Summary
British aid workers get caught up in a web of conspiracy, corruption, and power struggles in a Central African republic. Unsavory swindlers take advantage of political corruption to plunder charitable organizations and ruin lives. The Palaver Tree tells a story of personal tragedy and loss in the lives of Ellie Hathaway of Cornwall and several Central African families.
Review
This story offers fascinating characters and sets up an intricate web of corruption and deceit but fails to engage at the beginning and provides a formulaic ending rather than bringing about true resolution. Expert plotting and outstanding character portraits in the middle 75 percent of the novel are hampered by poor story set-up and haphazard associations to a too-large cast of supporting characters. The two major plot threads, focusing on a British con artist and a Central African political leader's quest for power, are not well integrated, leading to an unsatisfying ending. The text contains mild- to medium-severity grammatical and usage errors. The novel would have benefited from copy editing and content editing prior to publication.
The main characters are nicely drawn. Once I completed the long, difficult, and poorly structured first section of the novel, I found myself taken in by Ellie, long-suffering Promise, self-absorbed Tiffany, 'Smart Alec' (a Central African local who is more than he appears to be), and the very smooth Gabriel Cole, who is one of the most magnificently built baddies I've had the pleasure of reading.
Getting to the point of being able to follow the characters was not easy. After several dozen reviews, and several hundred rejections (I hate writing one-star reviews, so I reject the truly awful novels), I'm used to novels with too many characters. This nearly epic-scale novel has fewer than six dozen named characters, which is not necessarily difficult to manage. However, even with very careful tracking of names--writing them down and categorizing them on the fly--I was often stymied in understanding character relationships. In many cases, a first name mentioned on page 12 or 25 did not receive a surname until page 220 or 315. I often had to guess at a character's identity by behavior clues. For instance, on page 189, 'Inger' was eating off someone's lap. My best guess, based on context, was that Inger was a pet, probably a dog or cat. It wasn't until much later that 'Inger' entered into conversation, and at first I guessed she was a child. Much later, though, it seemed as though 'Inger' was probably an adult woman. To be honest, even after having completed the novel, I don't know if Inger was child or woman. This was a particularly egregious example of inadequate character description, but there were many such instances throughout the novel. Tiffany's mother, a character frequently mentioned throughout the novel, was given substantial bits of dialog but no name. She was simply 'Tiffany's mum' until finally, on page 250 (!!), she identified herself as Sharon, 'but everyone calls me Shas.' Yikes! I had to struggle too hard to gather the smallest tidbit to figure out character relationships, many of which were critical to the plot.
I would have rejected this novel for review if not for the strong plot that coalesced about 15 percent of the way into the novel. This plot was crafted with such expertise, it was as if I were suddenly reading a different book, especially in light of the sloppy set-up early on and the complete lack of discernible hook. I found myself reading faster and faster, soaking up the story and loving every page. Wow! It was finally a real novel, and I quickly ramped up from a 1- or 2-star review to possibly considering a four star. But the ending fizzled. There were two major plotlines, one of which determined the protagonist's fate and caused by far the greatest suffering for most of the characters. But the other plotline, that really figured through the greater part of the story, was not well integrated. There was a telling scene during the mayhem of Ellie's almost-escape, when Promise saw the antagonist talking on the phone. I interpreted his actions (or actually his lack of action) during that phone call as strong indication that the bad guy was part of the power grab going on all around him in Ducana (the fictitious Central African republic). In my copious notes, I wrote 'Why else would he have returned to Ducana? He must be part of President Dede's conspiracy!' Well, no, unfortunately, he was not. This would have been fine, too, but neither plot thread was satisfactorily resolved by the end.
For readers looking for nothing more than an interesting 'slice of life' with quite fascinating characters, this novel may serve very nicely. Those readers seeking something more may wish to pass and find better constructed stories.
Grammatical errors were rampant, as is frequently the case in self-published novels. Editing is expensive, and few aspiring writers possess the basic wordsmithing skills to recognize these types of errors. Vocative case errors were particularly noticeable but were erratic, as if an editor came through but caught only half the errors. These are often nothing more than a mild distraction, but in this novel were at times truly problematic. For instance, at one point (p. 181), a character speaks with Ellie, saying, "I can manage Ellie. Have a joyous weekend." A fast reader might not catch that the character was speaking with Ellie, and therefore come away with the mistaken impression that the character was claiming to be able to manage or deal with Ellie. The irregularity of this mistake was stunning. So, for example, on p. 71, a character says, "You can't Sweetheart," but on p. 72 says, "It's not going to be September, Sweetheart." I found dozens of such examples. Confusion of plural with singular possessive, common among non-writers, occurred here but with relatively low frequency. So, for example, "The Patel's would have assumed her already gone." (p. 299)
2.5 stars
February 2, 2013
A good book with the potential for true greatness
This book is one that creeps up on you. It starts off slowly, drawing you into the lives of the characters, then bam, you suddenly feel as though you are there, experiencing it. From the quiet country town of Berriwood, Cornwall, to the great sweeping plains of Africa.
The author has an incredible gift with words that becomes more obvious the further into the book you get. She has a real skill with creating vivid descriptions in remarkably few words, and her characterisation is skilfully executed. I actually found myself rereading passages not because I didn’t understand them, but for the sheer beauty and skill of the way this author puts her words together. The book flows beautifully for the most part, and has a lovely feel and rhythm to it. The editing is mostly on par, with very few issues and none that were strong enough to pull me away from enjoyment of the overall story itself.
Overall, 'The Palaver Tree' crept into my heart, and sat with me long after I had finished it. As I said, the author has a gift with words. One that easily rivals and supersedes many traditionally published books I have read. I very much look forward to seeing future works from this author, and considering this is her debut novel, I am more than a little impressed.
Now, re my title 'A good book with the potential for true greatness'.
I believe 'The Palaver Tree' has the potential for true greatness, to be one of those beautiful African epics that stands the test of time, along the lines of Bryce Courtney's 'The Power Of One' (one of my all-time favourites BTW).
When I say potential, I believe that with the sort of editing skills offered by publishing houses that 'The Palaver Tree' would be an incredible book. Not that there is anything much wrong with it as it is, and the few issues are nothing whatsoever that should discourage you as a reader to purchase it and enjoy it as I have done. It is just that I can really see big things for both this book and the author in the future.
Therefore I won’t mention the few issues, as they may not even be noticeable to other readers and perhaps I'm just an exceptionally fussy reader. Overall, I have rated it truly and honestly IMPO, and it stands on its own merits as a sold 4 star read when compared to both Indie and traditionally published books I have read in the past.
For those that want a review more along the lines of the storyline…
The Palaver Tree begins in a small town in England, and is seen through the eyes of several different characters. After tragedy strikes, Ellie accepts a teaching position in Africa through the Hope Foundation and leaves everything she knows behind.
When Ellie realises things at The Hope Foundation are not quite what they should be, she begins to ask questions in her own quiet way, and is challenged as a person in a realistic way that most will empathise with.
The Palaver Tree is interspersed with various characters throughout the story, and we as a reader have more of an idea of what is really going on than Ellie, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I found it fascinating to watch the story unfold in this way.
A good solid read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
Brought to you by Evilicious Book reviews
July 4, 2013
This novel is an intricately woven tale that pulls you in and really makes you think, without ever leaving you confused. Although there are a few ‘I didn’t see that coming’ moments in this novel, there’s never a point in time where you find yourself thinking ‘where did that come from?’
There is a clarity to Unsworth’s writing that underlies the tension and suspense of her brilliant storyline. Rather than relying on explosions, chases, and high impact situations the author approaches suspense in a much more subtle manner. Intrigue and conspiracy rule the day, making you think and drawing you in. Throughout this her writing remains low key and natural throughout. It actually suits the personalities of the main characters and allows the story itself to shine through. Unsworth’s writing style and skill as a story teller shine through in her descriptions and narrative. This story is based in an intricately built world that is gradually developed to create a phenomenal whole where you can actually see the intersections between the different parts. The gradual development gives a very solid feel to the whole. You can picture everything as it comes at you, as opposed to trying to sift through a large amount of description all given at once.
This novel takes place over a rather large span of time, but yet you don’t feel like you’re missing anything. Nothing ever feels rushed, forced, or missing. The jumps in time are smoothly done in such a manner that the reader is lead to believe that life continued as per usual in the interim. Unsworth also switches perspective between characters throughout the novel. By doing so she also gives a more rounded view of what’s going on. These changes in perspective are clear and don’t break the flow of the story. In actuality, they draw the many facets of the story together. They also show the contrast between the various different regions and cultures that the readers encounter throughout. As a reader you experience a complete cultural immersion into more than one culture.
Unsworth creates real characters and she develops them in a realistic manner. You don’t know everything about them, but rather, you get to know them like you would your neighbours. The various sub-stories give you insight into the characters. As a reader, you really get to know the characters as you get into the story. You begin to feel for them (well, most of them) because they really are wonderful characters. I also appreciate that each character’s dialogue stays true to their own speech patterns and dialect. It adds a consistency and extra layer of realism to the story and the characters themselves. The variety of characters and how they meld together into an amazing cast is absolutely brilliant. No one steals the show yet at the same time, no one gets pushed to the shadows.
Overall, this was a brilliant debut novel by Unsworth. I feel like I’ve been to parts of the world that in reality I’ve never seen and I’ve fallen in love with her characters. I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
There is a clarity to Unsworth’s writing that underlies the tension and suspense of her brilliant storyline. Rather than relying on explosions, chases, and high impact situations the author approaches suspense in a much more subtle manner. Intrigue and conspiracy rule the day, making you think and drawing you in. Throughout this her writing remains low key and natural throughout. It actually suits the personalities of the main characters and allows the story itself to shine through. Unsworth’s writing style and skill as a story teller shine through in her descriptions and narrative. This story is based in an intricately built world that is gradually developed to create a phenomenal whole where you can actually see the intersections between the different parts. The gradual development gives a very solid feel to the whole. You can picture everything as it comes at you, as opposed to trying to sift through a large amount of description all given at once.
This novel takes place over a rather large span of time, but yet you don’t feel like you’re missing anything. Nothing ever feels rushed, forced, or missing. The jumps in time are smoothly done in such a manner that the reader is lead to believe that life continued as per usual in the interim. Unsworth also switches perspective between characters throughout the novel. By doing so she also gives a more rounded view of what’s going on. These changes in perspective are clear and don’t break the flow of the story. In actuality, they draw the many facets of the story together. They also show the contrast between the various different regions and cultures that the readers encounter throughout. As a reader you experience a complete cultural immersion into more than one culture.
Unsworth creates real characters and she develops them in a realistic manner. You don’t know everything about them, but rather, you get to know them like you would your neighbours. The various sub-stories give you insight into the characters. As a reader, you really get to know the characters as you get into the story. You begin to feel for them (well, most of them) because they really are wonderful characters. I also appreciate that each character’s dialogue stays true to their own speech patterns and dialect. It adds a consistency and extra layer of realism to the story and the characters themselves. The variety of characters and how they meld together into an amazing cast is absolutely brilliant. No one steals the show yet at the same time, no one gets pushed to the shadows.
Overall, this was a brilliant debut novel by Unsworth. I feel like I’ve been to parts of the world that in reality I’ve never seen and I’ve fallen in love with her characters. I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2014
The Palaver Tree is an interesting tale set in a Small Cornish village and a dusty, hot country in Africa. The central story focuses on four women, all of whom are the victims of an unscrupulous mountebank who uses an African Children’s charity as a front for his schemes. He is a stinker from the start and we watch in amazement as he continues, successfully, to scam them out of wealth, love and trust.
The central character, Ellie, has lost her husband in an auto accident and accepts a teaching post in his school. Her travels and experiences in this little African nation make for good reading and some memorable imagery. But there is a backdrop to her experiences and her concerns about this man: the country has fallen into the hands of a despot who is driving it to the literal brink.
With the coming of the rains, an all-out civil war erupts and mild-mannered Ellie finds herself caught in the middle of it, complete with roving packs of murderous paramilitaries and social collapse. Abandoned and trapped, she is in the worst of all possible situations.
The narrative of this story works well and is told with some nice literary touches, but for me the most telling part of the story is the relationship that the women of this story have with its men. It is one of the most telling cultural aspects of most modern literature that men could not be more alien to women if they came from another planet. All of the males act, react, and take action but, we never get inside them nor understand what they are thinking.
The author does not waste this understanding and almost all of the action is based on an almost childlike trust on the part of these women in a man whose motivations are completely selfish and transparent, they are taken in by his handsome looks and smooth talk
But it isn’t only him. Even the husbands, lovers and friends are never really understood by the women in their lives. The women just have strong feelings for these men but never seem to look inside of them. There is nothing more mysterious in modern literature than the way women see their male counterparts. It is a telling thing, and it brings the female characters of this story to avoidable grief in this instance.
A little slow paced at the beginning, this story picks up at the middle and is told well, even though the payoff is obvious from early in the story, and just a little too convenient. Nevertheless, The Palaver Tree is a colorful, engaging book and well worth reading.
The central character, Ellie, has lost her husband in an auto accident and accepts a teaching post in his school. Her travels and experiences in this little African nation make for good reading and some memorable imagery. But there is a backdrop to her experiences and her concerns about this man: the country has fallen into the hands of a despot who is driving it to the literal brink.
With the coming of the rains, an all-out civil war erupts and mild-mannered Ellie finds herself caught in the middle of it, complete with roving packs of murderous paramilitaries and social collapse. Abandoned and trapped, she is in the worst of all possible situations.
The narrative of this story works well and is told with some nice literary touches, but for me the most telling part of the story is the relationship that the women of this story have with its men. It is one of the most telling cultural aspects of most modern literature that men could not be more alien to women if they came from another planet. All of the males act, react, and take action but, we never get inside them nor understand what they are thinking.
The author does not waste this understanding and almost all of the action is based on an almost childlike trust on the part of these women in a man whose motivations are completely selfish and transparent, they are taken in by his handsome looks and smooth talk
But it isn’t only him. Even the husbands, lovers and friends are never really understood by the women in their lives. The women just have strong feelings for these men but never seem to look inside of them. There is nothing more mysterious in modern literature than the way women see their male counterparts. It is a telling thing, and it brings the female characters of this story to avoidable grief in this instance.
A little slow paced at the beginning, this story picks up at the middle and is told well, even though the payoff is obvious from early in the story, and just a little too convenient. Nevertheless, The Palaver Tree is a colorful, engaging book and well worth reading.
July 11, 2012
Ellie Hathaway and Diane Henderson are best friends that share a love for charity work. The Hope Foundation run by Gaberiel Cole seems like a perfect for Ellie after mother's passing. John was in a fatal hit and run accident where there are no leads on who did it. Devastated by both her mother and John's passing, Ellie needs to do something and Gaberiel Cole has just the thing a teaching position in Dunca, Africa. Ellie is excited about her teaching post that will last a year. Meanwhile in the London office of The Hope Foundation, Tiffany works to keep the office running smoothly. Tiffany knows the many moods of Gaberiel Cole and he's clearly unhappy about something but not sure what. Gaberiel acts like Tiffany isn't doing her job good enough. Diane Henderson is keeping two secrets from her husband Neil and she's not sure what to do about either of them. Diane or Di loves hearing about Ellie's work in Dunca. Ellie meets Anna Paxman and Marc Rooyen where she forms deep friendships with both of them. Anna Paxman or Pax shows Ellie around Dunca for good shopping that Hector will not take her too per Gaberiel's orders. Marc helps Ellie fix her garden and pool; there is something building between Marc and Ellie. At the Hope Foundation School, Promise and Suleiman work with the children in separate classes named after fruit such as Mango and Banana. Promise must also work in the office for many hours after school. She hopes that Gaberiel keeps his promise to marry her. Tiffany also hopes that Gaberiel will marry her as planned. Gaberiel Cole is good at making promises to unsuspecting females. Will Di confess her secret? Will Ellie learn the truth about Gaberiel? What about Pax and Marc? Will Tiffany's and Promise's dreams come true? Will Gaberiel be caught? Who is Gaberiel Cole? Your answers await you in The Palaver Tree.
January 19, 2013
I received "The Palaver Tree" by Wendy Unsworth in exchange for an honest review. It is probably one of the books submitted to me for a review that I was looking forward to the most. The subject matter of charity work and life in Africa is right up my alley and I have also had several short and long trips to Africa to take even more of an interest. The book follows several women, some in the UK and some in Africa, and their connections with each other. Each of them has their own personal background which Wendy Unsworth builds up carefully and with great detail. It was this set up that made me feel a little restless during the first part of the book when I wanted to know where the story was going. We jump from one character to the next as each story unfolds, which I personally found initially difficult to get used to. However, given the way the lives of the women are connected I could not suggest a better way of handling the plot and the time put into the establishment of the four women really pays off later when the plot accelerates.
Fortunately I soon managed to settle into the flow and got drawn in completely.I don't want to spoil the story by giving too much of the plot away. The school and its student run into a lot of problems, from funding and political troubles to personal dramas of both the students and the teachers.
It is a great insight into the real life of charity work and the many obstacles that can get in the way of good and honest people.
Because we care so much for the main characters we get to experience these issues much deeper than we would from a newspaper article or a TV report.
The writing is smooth and easily flowing, the story is less linear or predictable than my review might suggest and the descriptions of the landscape and life in Africa are beautiful and precious.
This is a great book.
Fortunately I soon managed to settle into the flow and got drawn in completely.I don't want to spoil the story by giving too much of the plot away. The school and its student run into a lot of problems, from funding and political troubles to personal dramas of both the students and the teachers.
It is a great insight into the real life of charity work and the many obstacles that can get in the way of good and honest people.
Because we care so much for the main characters we get to experience these issues much deeper than we would from a newspaper article or a TV report.
The writing is smooth and easily flowing, the story is less linear or predictable than my review might suggest and the descriptions of the landscape and life in Africa are beautiful and precious.
This is a great book.
February 27, 2017
Wendy Unsworth's Palaver Tree (Amazon Digital Services 2012) is a beautiful, sad but happy story about Ellie. Ellies leads a fairly boring--well, uneventful--life in Cornwall England that is upended when first her husband and family dog are killed by a hit and run driver and then her elderly mother dies. She no longer has any reason to remain in a town that, though it includes friends, has never really felt like home, and now holds nothing but lonely memories.
"Even after two years of marriage, she often woke with the feeling that she was somewhere she didn’t belong and would be caught, any moment, on the loose without an entrance ticket."
She moves to a small African village to teach, but that it turns out brings its own set of problems. By the time Ellie gets through these new experiences, she's changed. I was originally pulled in by the cover, but it was the gorgeous storytelling from Wendy that kept me reading.
"There was a tension in the house like musical strings, stretched to their limit and fit to snap."
"Lately, any sentence honoured with a mention of her husband was apt to hemorrhage sarcasm like warm treacle through a sieve."
You cannot fail but enjoy this tale of Ellie's personal growth from unmotivated housewife to extraordinarily accomplished adult.
"Even after two years of marriage, she often woke with the feeling that she was somewhere she didn’t belong and would be caught, any moment, on the loose without an entrance ticket."
She moves to a small African village to teach, but that it turns out brings its own set of problems. By the time Ellie gets through these new experiences, she's changed. I was originally pulled in by the cover, but it was the gorgeous storytelling from Wendy that kept me reading.
"There was a tension in the house like musical strings, stretched to their limit and fit to snap."
"Lately, any sentence honoured with a mention of her husband was apt to hemorrhage sarcasm like warm treacle through a sieve."
You cannot fail but enjoy this tale of Ellie's personal growth from unmotivated housewife to extraordinarily accomplished adult.
January 16, 2016
4.5 Stars!
Wow, this was a VERY powerful powerful book! This book was almost two different books for me because the last half of the book was so different. In the beginning I was thinking of giving the book a 3 rating at best, it was a little slow and it took me a while to really get a feel for the characters (and there were a lot of characters). Then finally around page 60 the characters started to take on personalities and I really started to get to know them. By the time I was half way through the book I was ready to give it a 5!
I loved the storyline - it was very original and very interesting! The last half of this book was definitely a page turner. It also took me a while to get used to the writing style, I don't really know what there was about it, it was just different. I would say there was a learning curve to reading this book. But once you got past that curve - it was great!
The story flipped between the main characters which I liked. You got to know each one separately and saw exactly what they were doing. Also I like that the Author clearly labeled each one with the characters name (I have read books that take you a while to figure out who they are talking about). I loved being able to see into the lives of each character.
There was a lot of political stuff in this book (which for me was good and bad) I know nothing about any of the politics in Africa. There was a new leader taking over, an election, an uprise, people having to leave the country, etc. I am still not sure I fully understand everything that was happening, but I thing its OK. I don't really feel that I missed anything, I just kept reading.
I loved some of the main characters. I loved Ellie, she was very naive, but sweet and just wanted to help the children, and always thought the best of people. I also loved her new friends Marc and Pax! Great people, and the kind you want as friends in time in need. They would always have your back.
Gabriel, you knew right away something wasn't right with him. When all these women started appearing in his life and business I knew he must be scum, LOL. He tried to come across as a Saint but soon became the ultimate "bad guy".
Just to give you a small taste of the drama -
"Thirst was her overriding need; she scooped water from the pool. First to drink, then to fill the buckets and pans. She had no desire to be stuck inside the house again at night without a plentiful supply.
Please God; don't let me BE here by tonight.
When that task was done the more difficult one began. She took up her place by the wall. carefully removing the stone and holding it in her hand as she watched and waited."
I absolutely loooooooved the ending!!!!!!!! This was probably one of the best endings I have read in a long time. But when you read this - don't be tempted to peek! It is worth the wait.
THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all I would describe this as a book that starts out very slow but ends fantastic! Well worth the read.
A few warnings - Quite a bit of swearing and a few violent graphic scenes (you know, blood and guts kind of thing). It is actually quite sad and shocking in parts. But this is a book that will stay with you!
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would.
Wow, this was a VERY powerful powerful book! This book was almost two different books for me because the last half of the book was so different. In the beginning I was thinking of giving the book a 3 rating at best, it was a little slow and it took me a while to really get a feel for the characters (and there were a lot of characters). Then finally around page 60 the characters started to take on personalities and I really started to get to know them. By the time I was half way through the book I was ready to give it a 5!
I loved the storyline - it was very original and very interesting! The last half of this book was definitely a page turner. It also took me a while to get used to the writing style, I don't really know what there was about it, it was just different. I would say there was a learning curve to reading this book. But once you got past that curve - it was great!
The story flipped between the main characters which I liked. You got to know each one separately and saw exactly what they were doing. Also I like that the Author clearly labeled each one with the characters name (I have read books that take you a while to figure out who they are talking about). I loved being able to see into the lives of each character.
There was a lot of political stuff in this book (which for me was good and bad) I know nothing about any of the politics in Africa. There was a new leader taking over, an election, an uprise, people having to leave the country, etc. I am still not sure I fully understand everything that was happening, but I thing its OK. I don't really feel that I missed anything, I just kept reading.
I loved some of the main characters. I loved Ellie, she was very naive, but sweet and just wanted to help the children, and always thought the best of people. I also loved her new friends Marc and Pax! Great people, and the kind you want as friends in time in need. They would always have your back.
Gabriel, you knew right away something wasn't right with him. When all these women started appearing in his life and business I knew he must be scum, LOL. He tried to come across as a Saint but soon became the ultimate "bad guy".
Just to give you a small taste of the drama -
"Thirst was her overriding need; she scooped water from the pool. First to drink, then to fill the buckets and pans. She had no desire to be stuck inside the house again at night without a plentiful supply.
Please God; don't let me BE here by tonight.
When that task was done the more difficult one began. She took up her place by the wall. carefully removing the stone and holding it in her hand as she watched and waited."
I absolutely loooooooved the ending!!!!!!!! This was probably one of the best endings I have read in a long time. But when you read this - don't be tempted to peek! It is worth the wait.
THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all I would describe this as a book that starts out very slow but ends fantastic! Well worth the read.
A few warnings - Quite a bit of swearing and a few violent graphic scenes (you know, blood and guts kind of thing). It is actually quite sad and shocking in parts. But this is a book that will stay with you!
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would.
February 28, 2014
The Palaver Tree provides readers a glimpse into Africa. For those who haven't been, Wendy's detailed and rich descriptions should transport you right there. For those who have spent time there (like me!) it will dredge up memories of the amazing country in full colour and splendor.
I liked the complexity of the deception and the twisted logic of the antagonist. It was all rather cold-hearted and calculating. The kicker in the end, I must admit, did cross my mind at the beginning of the book, but I promptly shelved it when Africa came into play.
It seems to me that Wendy loves gardening or plants, because the descriptions of all the plant life was quite extensive. I would argue that it was perhaps a little too much? I am not a gardener, so the actual names of all the plants got a little much. I'd have much preferred images to the names. Painting the scene with description rather than names I didn't know and had to look up.
The story began a little like 'the real housewives of rural England' which immediately put me off, but it quickly went past the gossip and moved onto the real story.
There were a few things I noticed:
6% - "...it was what Edith wanted; biodegradable. " closing speech marks are on the next line.
Check speech marking for entire story.
22% - check ' usage around to do list.
50% - "No, but It (it) makes...'
57% - 'But no.; (extra punctuation)...'
Chocker = chockers
87% - 'Two men (took) hold of Marc...'
88% - Ellie is wearing a skirt, but her 'pants' are wet.
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
I liked the complexity of the deception and the twisted logic of the antagonist. It was all rather cold-hearted and calculating. The kicker in the end, I must admit, did cross my mind at the beginning of the book, but I promptly shelved it when Africa came into play.
It seems to me that Wendy loves gardening or plants, because the descriptions of all the plant life was quite extensive. I would argue that it was perhaps a little too much? I am not a gardener, so the actual names of all the plants got a little much. I'd have much preferred images to the names. Painting the scene with description rather than names I didn't know and had to look up.
The story began a little like 'the real housewives of rural England' which immediately put me off, but it quickly went past the gossip and moved onto the real story.
There were a few things I noticed:
6% - "...it was what Edith wanted; biodegradable. " closing speech marks are on the next line.
Check speech marking for entire story.
22% - check ' usage around to do list.
50% - "No, but It (it) makes...'
57% - 'But no.; (extra punctuation)...'
Chocker = chockers
87% - 'Two men (took) hold of Marc...'
88% - Ellie is wearing a skirt, but her 'pants' are wet.
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
May 11, 2022
I found myself struggling through The Palaver Tree, a novel with many good ideas that is let down by its unnecessary girth and a few other fatal flaws.
The story of a woman who takes an opportunity after a tragedy to offer something positive by teaching in Africa, the book is earnest, and contains occasional moments of promising style.
But the prose is sometimes tortured and there are syntactic issues throughout. The characters are (mostly) likeable but narrowly drawn, and I was not caught by surprise by any of the twists. To the contrary, one of the principle conclusions felt contrived and unlikely. The dialogue was so-so; occasionally it rang true, occasionally it was forced. But little of it was compellingly personal, with the possible exception of the travails of the somewhat sad figure Tiffany, who has a key role.
The story has real promise and so does some of the writing; but a decent editor could easily cut the book in half and it would only improve the pacing, which is fairly leaden until about two-thirds of the way through the book, at which point it quite suddenly picks up. The conclusion was enjoyable but rang unrealistic.
I really wanted to like the Palaver Tree; I was born and spent my childhood in Africa. But ultimately, I felt it was undone by its own ambition, a fairly simple -- and potentially suspense-laden -- story that runs too long and is a bit too unfocussed.
The story of a woman who takes an opportunity after a tragedy to offer something positive by teaching in Africa, the book is earnest, and contains occasional moments of promising style.
But the prose is sometimes tortured and there are syntactic issues throughout. The characters are (mostly) likeable but narrowly drawn, and I was not caught by surprise by any of the twists. To the contrary, one of the principle conclusions felt contrived and unlikely. The dialogue was so-so; occasionally it rang true, occasionally it was forced. But little of it was compellingly personal, with the possible exception of the travails of the somewhat sad figure Tiffany, who has a key role.
The story has real promise and so does some of the writing; but a decent editor could easily cut the book in half and it would only improve the pacing, which is fairly leaden until about two-thirds of the way through the book, at which point it quite suddenly picks up. The conclusion was enjoyable but rang unrealistic.
I really wanted to like the Palaver Tree; I was born and spent my childhood in Africa. But ultimately, I felt it was undone by its own ambition, a fairly simple -- and potentially suspense-laden -- story that runs too long and is a bit too unfocussed.
July 26, 2012
Subtle, direct, gentle, and jarring, The Palaver Tree takes the reader on an incredible journey from the safety of small town England to the dangers of Africa. But, for Ellie, Diane, and Tiffany, England isn't safe either as the wily and unscrupulous Gabriel cons them all. And the Africa Ellie comes to know and love - the friends she makes and the children she teaches - cannot protect her from the dangers of either Gabriel or the rioting as rebels attempt a coup to overturn the government. I've lived and traveled in Africa and found this book taking me down memory lane. Thankfully, I never had to face the dangers Ellie faced. If you're looking for a good read, that takes "ordinary" people into extraordinary circumstances, this is it.
August 3, 2016
This is a wonderful book. Ellie, the main character, seems at first to be a bit of a pushover, but like many unassuming women, she has great inner strength that her friends and family rely upon. Finding herself alone after a terrible tragedy, she decides to teach in Africa for a year, and finds that there is much more going on than she originally believed. Ellie's wonderful character is challenged in every way possible. A beautiful story. Why no voting buttons? We don't let customers vote on their own reviews, so the voting buttons appear only when you look at reviews submitted by others. Permalink
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February 22, 2012
Beautifully writting more in the LitFic style than contemporary, this book examines the motivations and actions of the characters but, more than that, it is a tense, dramatic story of love, betrayal and danger.
Original and interesting, with a wonderful immediacy in the African sections of the story, this one kept me reading into the night. It's a story of loss, temptation, deception and redemption and I loved the ending.
Original and interesting, with a wonderful immediacy in the African sections of the story, this one kept me reading into the night. It's a story of loss, temptation, deception and redemption and I loved the ending.
March 14, 2013
So glad I picked up the book, other than the setting of this book I'm not sure the cover and title quite do this book justice. This is one of those intrigue and suspense novels that makes it tough to put down, even when you have too. I loved the sense of realism to this book.
Unfortunately I've had the misfortune of knowing someone very similar to the bad guy of this book which served to show this as being even more realistic.
I loved the ending too!
Unfortunately I've had the misfortune of knowing someone very similar to the bad guy of this book which served to show this as being even more realistic.
I loved the ending too!
August 31, 2016
The Palaver tree serves as the heart of a community. It’s the place for discussion, decision-making, festive occasions, and the place for storytelling. In the hands of Wendy Unsworth, the Palaver tree becomes more than a literal tree. In her novel, The Palaver Tree, it becomes a figurative place, as well, for the characters in this suspenseful novel set in a fictional country in Africa. Literally, the tree is the gathering place for storytelling and decision-making. It also provides shade from the harsh sun and scalding temperatures in the poor landscape of a violent and unstable government. However, as this story goes from Cornwall and London to Africa, the characters must come together to communicate or all is lost.
The good-hearted and generous people in a tightly knit community in Cornwall seek to help the hopeless children in Africa. Two women of some means, Elly and Diane, are eager to help, when they hear about the Hope Foundation run by Gabriel Cole. In London, the poor and gullible Tiffany runs the foundation and only wants to be loved by her employer and lover, Gabriel. The poor girls, Promise and Beauty, in Gabriel's service in Africa bring him more than tea. Gabriel becomes the all-encompassing evil force in this novel rich in its beautiful description of the African landscape and its wildlife.
The novel is heartbreaking in its characterization of vulnerable and defeated folks, yet it soars with hope as dedicated individuals come together to form their own version of the "Palaver tree" to tell their stories and make decisions.
It is in these individual stories and connections that the human spirit fights for survival against some pretty awful odds. Unsworth tells this story using a wide variety of relationships to express the defeats and triumphs we all experience through marriage, friendship, and professional associations. She effortlessly weaves her story, and despite the wide-ranging lives of all the characters, somehow they all manage to find the universal denominators to form unwavering bonds.
In the beginning, a politeness exists between the characters, which prevent them from going to the "Palaver tree" to compare notes about the evil Gabriel. There exists in the good characters an unwillingness to believe in the corruption of their bank accounts and hearts.
To me, that is the lesson from The Palaver Tree. We become stronger when we gather to communicate, decide, and encourage in order to survive the worst of ordeals.
Through the exceptional storytelling talent of Wendy Unsworth, it is easy to believe in the words of Anne Frank, who wrote in her diary, “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.”
The “Palaver tree” bears fruit when those who visit walk away believing that goodness still exists in a world darkened by the few with dead hearts.
The good-hearted and generous people in a tightly knit community in Cornwall seek to help the hopeless children in Africa. Two women of some means, Elly and Diane, are eager to help, when they hear about the Hope Foundation run by Gabriel Cole. In London, the poor and gullible Tiffany runs the foundation and only wants to be loved by her employer and lover, Gabriel. The poor girls, Promise and Beauty, in Gabriel's service in Africa bring him more than tea. Gabriel becomes the all-encompassing evil force in this novel rich in its beautiful description of the African landscape and its wildlife.
The novel is heartbreaking in its characterization of vulnerable and defeated folks, yet it soars with hope as dedicated individuals come together to form their own version of the "Palaver tree" to tell their stories and make decisions.
It is in these individual stories and connections that the human spirit fights for survival against some pretty awful odds. Unsworth tells this story using a wide variety of relationships to express the defeats and triumphs we all experience through marriage, friendship, and professional associations. She effortlessly weaves her story, and despite the wide-ranging lives of all the characters, somehow they all manage to find the universal denominators to form unwavering bonds.
In the beginning, a politeness exists between the characters, which prevent them from going to the "Palaver tree" to compare notes about the evil Gabriel. There exists in the good characters an unwillingness to believe in the corruption of their bank accounts and hearts.
To me, that is the lesson from The Palaver Tree. We become stronger when we gather to communicate, decide, and encourage in order to survive the worst of ordeals.
Through the exceptional storytelling talent of Wendy Unsworth, it is easy to believe in the words of Anne Frank, who wrote in her diary, “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.”
The “Palaver tree” bears fruit when those who visit walk away believing that goodness still exists in a world darkened by the few with dead hearts.
January 29, 2014
Ellie Hathaway lives a quiet life in Berriwood, Cornwall. She had married late to her husband, John, but life with him was sweet. She lived a life of preplanned routine, gardening, going to various village functions, spending time with her best friend, Dianne. That all changed the night John went out to walk the dog and didn't return, the victim of a hit and run driver.
John leaves Ellie very well off. Needing a change in her life, she is an easy prey for Gabriel Cole, the founder of The Hope Foundation, a charity Dianne fund raises for. He offers Ellie a position as the teacher at the African school the foundation maintains, in return for her financial support of the charity. Desperate for a change, Ellie agrees and flies off to a new life in Africa.
Once there, she settles into her new life. She loves the school and all the children there, although she had not realized how destitute the area was or how much poverty affected the lives of all who lived there. She makes friends in the area. First are Promise and Sulieman, native teachers at the school. Soon she meets Marc and Pax, cousins who are native-born although white. She soon develops a romantic interest in Marc, which he returns.
But all is not well. The longer Ellie is in Africa, the more suspicious she is of Gabriel. His stories don't seem to add up. The school constantly needs money, while he lives in a mansion. There are differing stories about what happened to his wife. Then there are the women. It seems that there is a woman wherever you turn who Gabriel is stringing along, either for money or sex or both.
As Ellie starts to add up her suspicions against Gabriel, the country explodes. A new President takes over, and immediately starts to wreck havoc and take revenge against those who oppose him. Soon civil war erupts, and life is not safe, especially for the foreigners who have come to the country. Will Ellie survive her new life?
Wendy Unsworth has written a fascinating tale of Africa and how easy it is to be taken in when one wants to change their life. She has lived in several African countries so the surroundings she creates in the story ring true. Another major strength is the creation of Gabriel, a con man extraordinaire. Reading the book, it becomes clear to the reader how easily an average person who lives their life as morally as possible can be tricked and scammed by someone who doesn't share their moral outlook. Readers will enjoy the trip to another land, and the neat resolution of all the threads of the story in the end. This book is recommended for readers interested in other cultures.
John leaves Ellie very well off. Needing a change in her life, she is an easy prey for Gabriel Cole, the founder of The Hope Foundation, a charity Dianne fund raises for. He offers Ellie a position as the teacher at the African school the foundation maintains, in return for her financial support of the charity. Desperate for a change, Ellie agrees and flies off to a new life in Africa.
Once there, she settles into her new life. She loves the school and all the children there, although she had not realized how destitute the area was or how much poverty affected the lives of all who lived there. She makes friends in the area. First are Promise and Sulieman, native teachers at the school. Soon she meets Marc and Pax, cousins who are native-born although white. She soon develops a romantic interest in Marc, which he returns.
But all is not well. The longer Ellie is in Africa, the more suspicious she is of Gabriel. His stories don't seem to add up. The school constantly needs money, while he lives in a mansion. There are differing stories about what happened to his wife. Then there are the women. It seems that there is a woman wherever you turn who Gabriel is stringing along, either for money or sex or both.
As Ellie starts to add up her suspicions against Gabriel, the country explodes. A new President takes over, and immediately starts to wreck havoc and take revenge against those who oppose him. Soon civil war erupts, and life is not safe, especially for the foreigners who have come to the country. Will Ellie survive her new life?
Wendy Unsworth has written a fascinating tale of Africa and how easy it is to be taken in when one wants to change their life. She has lived in several African countries so the surroundings she creates in the story ring true. Another major strength is the creation of Gabriel, a con man extraordinaire. Reading the book, it becomes clear to the reader how easily an average person who lives their life as morally as possible can be tricked and scammed by someone who doesn't share their moral outlook. Readers will enjoy the trip to another land, and the neat resolution of all the threads of the story in the end. This book is recommended for readers interested in other cultures.
July 27, 2013
This book is the beginning of a series of stories by Wendy Unsworth.
I enjoyed reading about Central Africa and the government unrest, it was something I had heard about, but was not clear or involved with it as you get with the people of the story.
Ellie Hathaway is a widowed school teacher who actually has just lost her husband to an accident. When Gabriel Cole comes to her small village in Berriwood for a fund raising luncheon, he asks her to come to Africa to help with the school he is rising money for.
She decides to go and she has the adventure of her life. She first meets Marc in the airport and he helps her find her bearings and get her paperwork cleared so that she can find Gabriel and get to the school. Next she meets Anna Paxman a medical technician who is trying to help women and children in the Country.
She finally gets to the house that Gabriel has for her to live in while she is there and meets some of the servants who will help her get settled and get her back and forth to the school.
Since the Government is in such unrest she needs to lock herself into her bedroom every night in case anyone from the village decides to harm her in her sleep.
It was a slow moving story until she starts to learn about the charity and the man who leads it! Gabriel runs the school and he is a ladies' man.
The beginning of the book is not very interesting and too many characters are introduced and it is hard to follow, but if you stay with the story, it does get better and it held my interest until the end. Then I was sorry to see it end.
I enjoyed reading about Central Africa and the government unrest, it was something I had heard about, but was not clear or involved with it as you get with the people of the story.
Ellie Hathaway is a widowed school teacher who actually has just lost her husband to an accident. When Gabriel Cole comes to her small village in Berriwood for a fund raising luncheon, he asks her to come to Africa to help with the school he is rising money for.
She decides to go and she has the adventure of her life. She first meets Marc in the airport and he helps her find her bearings and get her paperwork cleared so that she can find Gabriel and get to the school. Next she meets Anna Paxman a medical technician who is trying to help women and children in the Country.
She finally gets to the house that Gabriel has for her to live in while she is there and meets some of the servants who will help her get settled and get her back and forth to the school.
Since the Government is in such unrest she needs to lock herself into her bedroom every night in case anyone from the village decides to harm her in her sleep.
It was a slow moving story until she starts to learn about the charity and the man who leads it! Gabriel runs the school and he is a ladies' man.
The beginning of the book is not very interesting and too many characters are introduced and it is hard to follow, but if you stay with the story, it does get better and it held my interest until the end. Then I was sorry to see it end.
August 30, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's easily much more than I expected, an epic story that sweeps you along in its wake. Starting in a cozy English village and ending up in the middle of an uprising in Africa, this book is peopled with enough intriguing characters that it will whet your appetite for more. Which is great, since, it turns out, this is only the first in a series on Berriwood village.
I grew to love this book. There is a lot background information on the characters at first, which does slow it down a little, but it all turns out to be necessary details as the story moves along. The author plays fair, dropping enough hints to know what's going wrong and who is responsible, making you feel smarter than the main characters, though, by the end of book, you're wondering why it took them so long to catch on.
The descriptions of the sweeping African and English village landscapes were very authentic and you could feel almost feel the dry, sticky, red dust. The characters are cleverly drawn with flaws as well as strengths, which makes them more interesting, as well as realistic. The ending will leave you gasping and pondering the human condition.
This author was gracious enough to make a free copy of this ebook available to a limited audience and I feel lucky that I had this chance to review it. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
I grew to love this book. There is a lot background information on the characters at first, which does slow it down a little, but it all turns out to be necessary details as the story moves along. The author plays fair, dropping enough hints to know what's going wrong and who is responsible, making you feel smarter than the main characters, though, by the end of book, you're wondering why it took them so long to catch on.
The descriptions of the sweeping African and English village landscapes were very authentic and you could feel almost feel the dry, sticky, red dust. The characters are cleverly drawn with flaws as well as strengths, which makes them more interesting, as well as realistic. The ending will leave you gasping and pondering the human condition.
This author was gracious enough to make a free copy of this ebook available to a limited audience and I feel lucky that I had this chance to review it. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
March 14, 2014
This beautifully written story looks at the dynamics of relationships both personal and private and explores what happens when the world around us becomes tainted with corruption, greed and betrayal. By opening the story in a cosy Cornish village we are lulled into comfortable domesticity but tragedy is about to strike at the very heart of the community and for Ellie Hathaway life will never be the same again. Ellie’s search for a new start will take her thousands of miles from her home village to the political melting pot of central Africa, where she takes up a teaching post run by the charitable Hope Foundation and the enigmatic Gabriel Cole.
What then follows is a tense and action packed story which sees the intertwining of lives all touched in some way by Gabriel Cole’s inscrutable power. The author has an impeccable way of drawing together all the different strands of the story, from the warm and comfy cosiness of Cornwall, to the majestic beauty of Africa, time and place is captured perfectly and she succeeds in creating a finely drawn portrayal of what happens when greed and dishonesty are allowed to take centre stage.
I enjoyed it and look forward with interest to the continuation of the Berriwood series.
What then follows is a tense and action packed story which sees the intertwining of lives all touched in some way by Gabriel Cole’s inscrutable power. The author has an impeccable way of drawing together all the different strands of the story, from the warm and comfy cosiness of Cornwall, to the majestic beauty of Africa, time and place is captured perfectly and she succeeds in creating a finely drawn portrayal of what happens when greed and dishonesty are allowed to take centre stage.
I enjoyed it and look forward with interest to the continuation of the Berriwood series.
July 6, 2014
If the system allowed 1/2 ratings- this book would get three and a half stars
The Palavar Tree is a unique work of fiction surrounding British aid workers in Central Africa. The story is quite dense, offering a multitude of characters and an intricate plot structure. The books strengths, very well developed characters and a plot that keeps you turning the page, can also be viewed as the books weaknesses as there are SO many characters it can become quite confusing. The first ten-ish percent of the book, which is fairly tedious, as the author lays out the characters and introduces the conflicts, might be a turn off for some readers as they may not want to invest so much time establishing groundwork before the engines really start to rev in the story.
However the main plot surrounded very well thought out characters and a very, very well written bad guy. I’m a big fan of plots that tie up nicely, for me that’s where the novel fell short. I think that investment in a strong editor would help the author keep her story lines running and help her cut away at some of the unnecessary “fat” that we all have in the books we write. Cutting away unnecessary scenes will help focus on the two main plot lines and allow for a less muddy final solution.
The Palavar Tree is a unique work of fiction surrounding British aid workers in Central Africa. The story is quite dense, offering a multitude of characters and an intricate plot structure. The books strengths, very well developed characters and a plot that keeps you turning the page, can also be viewed as the books weaknesses as there are SO many characters it can become quite confusing. The first ten-ish percent of the book, which is fairly tedious, as the author lays out the characters and introduces the conflicts, might be a turn off for some readers as they may not want to invest so much time establishing groundwork before the engines really start to rev in the story.
However the main plot surrounded very well thought out characters and a very, very well written bad guy. I’m a big fan of plots that tie up nicely, for me that’s where the novel fell short. I think that investment in a strong editor would help the author keep her story lines running and help her cut away at some of the unnecessary “fat” that we all have in the books we write. Cutting away unnecessary scenes will help focus on the two main plot lines and allow for a less muddy final solution.
May 7, 2012
Wendy Unsworth has constructed a well woven novel with believable characters and vivid description. Once half way through, I could not put the book down. The prose and dialogue constantly throw light onto character nuance and motivation, and Unsworth has a knack for well illustrated—and sometimes comical uses—of metaphor. When Ellie takes a volunteership at a school in Africa, she knows it will be a new and exciting challenge. But she can never predict the events culminating in the erupting violence of a political coup. (SEMI SPOILER ALERT) I was a little surprised by the dealings of fate at the conclusion and was hoping for a good old-fashioned police investigation, but then, this is in keeping with the trend of modern protagonists who often take justice into their own hands. Aside from a few very minor blips, I would still give this 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2012
The Palaver Tree takes you from a small Cornish village to Africa; through the eyes of the different characters unfolds a story of betrayal that puts Ellie, recently widowed, in danger. I enjoy the depiction of her time in Africa where she helps as a teacher and faces a world so different from hers. There are some very vivid descriptions of Africa, its country and its people and the characterisation is realistic. I particularly liked Gabriel, whose character evolves through the story. A gripping plot enhanced by a tale of friendships and love. I am looking forward to more novels in the Berriwood series.
May 26, 2012
This was an excellent read for so many different reasons,the author has a great eye for colour and detail and gets this across to the reader most effectively.
The contrast between a sleepy affluent Cornish village and the stifling heat of a poverty stricken African village was really well done.
All the characters were all well drawn but the strength of the story was the way in which the many different characters,sub plots and locations were weaved together.
A slow burner to begin with the story hinted at conflict had elements of mystery and gradually the suspense increased to an action packed ending.
I look forward to reading the next one.
Paul A.
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