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The Tree Singer
Jacob is trapped in a dying village. No hope, no friends, no future.
But when Simon the Healer appears everything begins to miraculously transform. The lake, the land and even the villagers themselves blossom into what they should have been all along: beautiful, strong, vital. All Jacob's dreams seem to be within his reach.
Dreams, however, are powerful things and often deliver a future in ways unexpected. For every rise there is a fall, and for every fall the path rises to meet us once again.
But when Simon the Healer appears everything begins to miraculously transform. The lake, the land and even the villagers themselves blossom into what they should have been all along: beautiful, strong, vital. All Jacob's dreams seem to be within his reach.
Dreams, however, are powerful things and often deliver a future in ways unexpected. For every rise there is a fall, and for every fall the path rises to meet us once again.
410 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Danny Fahey
30 books32 followers2 children - Jack and Mary
1 dog - Nelson
teach Drama to International students at trinity College/Melbourne University.
Author 3 books
Catalina
The Tree Singer
The Woodcarver's Son
1 Novella
the Unrelenting, Unnerving Life of Pinocchio
several published poems
and hundreds of unpublished ones
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2012
At first glance this book is pretty. The paper is thick and soft, pretty colours on the cover. Great visual appeal.
So far, the author has me hooked. I am about 35% of the way through the book and it looks like it's going to be a great storyline. The character development is fantastic. I feel as if I am part of the story watching their little fishing village go from grey and dreary to becoming vibrant and beautiful.
.......
HELP ME! I can't put it down!!! I am now 65% of the way through the book and it has completely taken over my will to do anything but read. What a wonderful story, and beautifully written! It's almost like reading poetry, very relaxing. A good read for the end of a stressful day to help unwind. To be completely honest, I would have never picked this book up at a book store...would never have given it a try. I am so glad that I got to read this book. It has opened my mind to a new genre of books.
......
Annnnnnd I'm done!
I can very honestly say that I have no criticism. I loved this book from begining to end. There were a few twists and turns in the plot that kept you wanting to read. To sum it up simply, a beautifully written story.
I for one would recommend this book to anybody. I look forward to reading more books by Danny Fahey!
So far, the author has me hooked. I am about 35% of the way through the book and it looks like it's going to be a great storyline. The character development is fantastic. I feel as if I am part of the story watching their little fishing village go from grey and dreary to becoming vibrant and beautiful.
.......
HELP ME! I can't put it down!!! I am now 65% of the way through the book and it has completely taken over my will to do anything but read. What a wonderful story, and beautifully written! It's almost like reading poetry, very relaxing. A good read for the end of a stressful day to help unwind. To be completely honest, I would have never picked this book up at a book store...would never have given it a try. I am so glad that I got to read this book. It has opened my mind to a new genre of books.
......
Annnnnnd I'm done!
I can very honestly say that I have no criticism. I loved this book from begining to end. There were a few twists and turns in the plot that kept you wanting to read. To sum it up simply, a beautifully written story.
I for one would recommend this book to anybody. I look forward to reading more books by Danny Fahey!
April 23, 2012
This is a story of love and loss presented in a rather unique way. The story moves in a lyrical motion. Not in any hurry to end and yet always moving forward, forever patient to explain its motives. This story almost has a life of its own. I’d love to tell you what it’s about but I risk giving away key elements of its plot. This is not easily defined. A boy wrestles with the loss of his father and along the way struggles to understand the loss and discovery of his own self.
It is written with a novel style and should be accepted for what it is…a device to emotionally transport the story to the reader’s heart. Don’t let its rhythm frighten you, just get in the boat and let the waves take you where they need to.
This is a very worth while trip.
Devlin
It is written with a novel style and should be accepted for what it is…a device to emotionally transport the story to the reader’s heart. Don’t let its rhythm frighten you, just get in the boat and let the waves take you where they need to.
This is a very worth while trip.
Devlin
February 28, 2012
One Word: STUNNING
(Now for a review with more words)
Recommended to me by a close friend that just read this, I was very excited based on her review and gushing of this book that I would be very surprised by it... and so I was.
A story reminiscent of books I have read by Paulo Coelho, a well known Brazilian author, for his insightful, metaphorical poetic stories of human nature.
This author deserves his due. He stands on his own. This was a story of loss and rebirth, hope and pain, love and betrayal, and also forgiveness. It was inspiring and thoughtful. And most certainly, one of the most eloquent and poetic novels I have read. I could barely put this book down, unless out of necessity. Such a simple story, but woven so intricately, it was emotional, sad, and beautiful. I feel inspired for having read it. It provoked many thoughts. It will stay with me for a long, long time.
I rate 5 starts sparingly, because though I love reading and consume as many books as I can manage, very few really fit that category of being truly amazing to me. But this one is deserving of this rating. I feel richer for having read it and recommend it highly. I would happily pick up any and all other works by this author. I hope he remains inspired and continues to write like this for years to come.
(Now for a review with more words)
Recommended to me by a close friend that just read this, I was very excited based on her review and gushing of this book that I would be very surprised by it... and so I was.
A story reminiscent of books I have read by Paulo Coelho, a well known Brazilian author, for his insightful, metaphorical poetic stories of human nature.
This author deserves his due. He stands on his own. This was a story of loss and rebirth, hope and pain, love and betrayal, and also forgiveness. It was inspiring and thoughtful. And most certainly, one of the most eloquent and poetic novels I have read. I could barely put this book down, unless out of necessity. Such a simple story, but woven so intricately, it was emotional, sad, and beautiful. I feel inspired for having read it. It provoked many thoughts. It will stay with me for a long, long time.
I rate 5 starts sparingly, because though I love reading and consume as many books as I can manage, very few really fit that category of being truly amazing to me. But this one is deserving of this rating. I feel richer for having read it and recommend it highly. I would happily pick up any and all other works by this author. I hope he remains inspired and continues to write like this for years to come.
October 5, 2011
A very different and enjoyable fantasy. In reality, this book could be written in any genre, in any setting. It is not important where they are or what they do, but HOW they do it that makes this book enjoyable. The prose is like poetry, and serves to relax to soothe. Perfect for the end of day to wind down.
I read the Kindle edition but I note it's also available in paperback from the publisher's website at www.dragonfallpress.com
I read the Kindle edition but I note it's also available in paperback from the publisher's website at www.dragonfallpress.com
March 8, 2012
WOW.. this was a very inspiring book. I really enjoyed reading it and feel really good about taking the time to absorb the story. The writer did a great job of keeping me as the reader captivated from beginning to end. The story was well written and at the end you could not ask for anything more.
June 4, 2012
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I LOVED this book. It was a wonderful story with a great supernatural basis. There were a few things about the plot and the way it moved and the way time was spaced that bothered me, but for the most part, it was a great coming-of-age story!
I LOVED this book. It was a wonderful story with a great supernatural basis. There were a few things about the plot and the way it moved and the way time was spaced that bothered me, but for the most part, it was a great coming-of-age story!
Want to read
December 4, 2011[personal note edition i have has isbn 13: 978098063415. paperback format]
February 17, 2021
Completely amazing. Finished start to finish in possibly record time. Wonderfully unique tale that galloped along, beautifully strained life lessons mixed with a circular reincarnation theme. So thrilled to have found this book.
November 18, 2012
Do you know that feeling? When something in a book speaks just to you? I’m sure you do. Well The Tree Singer by Danny Fahey spoke to me.
The Tree Singer is a fantasy book about a boy, Jacob, who finds his destiny is to create flutes, and to do so must sing the wood from the trees.
As soon as I began this, I was spirited away into another world entirely.
I found myself immediately in a village, with a complete community, with a history of generations and even an understanding of how the future might go. Every thing and every person in this village seemed to have a place: a seed, a fish, oil … all treasured and with a personality. And although you knew that circumstances could change that, there was still an organic feeling that they were moving as one unit and in balance.
There are people in this village who have ancient, well-honed skills and I was reminded of the people in ‘A Year of Wonders’, the book about the plague village by Geraldine Brooks. These are the skills or trades that today I fear we may have misplaced. And this is really what spoke to my heart: the respect for the detail and longevity of these crafts that Danny describes.
When Jacob begins to learn to work with wood, I was besotted. I could smell the sap in the wood and feel the oils, and the texture in the grain. I recalled my own father’s thumbs pressing oily putty in the window frames when I was a child, saw the gesture and remembered the smell. I wanted to run out and start woodcarving!
But then I was arrested by the tale yet again; as Jacob respectfully and patiently waits to acquire the skills, and takes the time to arrive at the knowledge. I thought: have we lost that too; the concept of waiting?
And the tree singing! I was so enthralled in the tree singing that I found myself wondering: did we all used to be able to do that too, and have we just forgotten?
I think Danny has opened a doorway just a crack … to enable us to see a little magic, a little history and a little future. He’s either spent a great deal of time in the garden and a workshop shed thinking of how it all ties in, or he’s been right through the magic door himself.
The Tree Singer may make you pick up a piece of wood and rub your hands along it, may make you want to converse with a tree or even play the flute. Hopefully, it will remind us all to hang onto the magic of craftsmanship while we still can.
Congratulations Danny. I loved it.
The Tree Singer is a fantasy book about a boy, Jacob, who finds his destiny is to create flutes, and to do so must sing the wood from the trees.
As soon as I began this, I was spirited away into another world entirely.
I found myself immediately in a village, with a complete community, with a history of generations and even an understanding of how the future might go. Every thing and every person in this village seemed to have a place: a seed, a fish, oil … all treasured and with a personality. And although you knew that circumstances could change that, there was still an organic feeling that they were moving as one unit and in balance.
There are people in this village who have ancient, well-honed skills and I was reminded of the people in ‘A Year of Wonders’, the book about the plague village by Geraldine Brooks. These are the skills or trades that today I fear we may have misplaced. And this is really what spoke to my heart: the respect for the detail and longevity of these crafts that Danny describes.
When Jacob begins to learn to work with wood, I was besotted. I could smell the sap in the wood and feel the oils, and the texture in the grain. I recalled my own father’s thumbs pressing oily putty in the window frames when I was a child, saw the gesture and remembered the smell. I wanted to run out and start woodcarving!
But then I was arrested by the tale yet again; as Jacob respectfully and patiently waits to acquire the skills, and takes the time to arrive at the knowledge. I thought: have we lost that too; the concept of waiting?
And the tree singing! I was so enthralled in the tree singing that I found myself wondering: did we all used to be able to do that too, and have we just forgotten?
I think Danny has opened a doorway just a crack … to enable us to see a little magic, a little history and a little future. He’s either spent a great deal of time in the garden and a workshop shed thinking of how it all ties in, or he’s been right through the magic door himself.
The Tree Singer may make you pick up a piece of wood and rub your hands along it, may make you want to converse with a tree or even play the flute. Hopefully, it will remind us all to hang onto the magic of craftsmanship while we still can.
Congratulations Danny. I loved it.
July 4, 2012
This is an absolutely recommendable book. The narration is clean and clear but full of subtextual, symbolic meaning. It digs into depth as you sail freely and easily along its course. One of those books that seems too short once you reach the end, leaving you wanting to stay with it just a bit longer, like any meaningful life… but that would have to be, for this work is an allegory of the meaningful life.
The story drifts languidly and nostalgicly, immersing us in a timeless world. It begins bright and green, although even that naive start is already fogged by an ever present melancholy. Innocence is greyed as we drift through tremendous hope and promise and the journey is a movement away from the little tragedies of the past into the intuition of much greater future disaster. Nevertheless, The Tree Singer is always a hopeful book: full of magic and miracles, describing a reality bathed in the wonder of supernatural essences.
Ecletic in its roots: old world universal myths; myths of quests; of initiation; European, Norse and Celtic, Ancient Mediterranean, Biblical at times, with a nice dash of aboriginal songline and Dreamtime culture. A parallel with Christian myth seems sometimes strong, but Danny Fahey’s miracle maker is a more earthly figure, closer to Dionysius than Christ. Nothing can be given without suffering the draining loss that real giving causes. Ecletic yes, but everything is woven into its own universal, timeless state. In the world and time of The Tree Singer.
The book is moral, but it never preaches. As another reader commented, it reminds one of Tolkein. But it is not Tolkein, it is Danny Fahey. And we are looking forward to reading much more of this great writers work.
The story drifts languidly and nostalgicly, immersing us in a timeless world. It begins bright and green, although even that naive start is already fogged by an ever present melancholy. Innocence is greyed as we drift through tremendous hope and promise and the journey is a movement away from the little tragedies of the past into the intuition of much greater future disaster. Nevertheless, The Tree Singer is always a hopeful book: full of magic and miracles, describing a reality bathed in the wonder of supernatural essences.
Ecletic in its roots: old world universal myths; myths of quests; of initiation; European, Norse and Celtic, Ancient Mediterranean, Biblical at times, with a nice dash of aboriginal songline and Dreamtime culture. A parallel with Christian myth seems sometimes strong, but Danny Fahey’s miracle maker is a more earthly figure, closer to Dionysius than Christ. Nothing can be given without suffering the draining loss that real giving causes. Ecletic yes, but everything is woven into its own universal, timeless state. In the world and time of The Tree Singer.
The book is moral, but it never preaches. As another reader commented, it reminds one of Tolkein. But it is not Tolkein, it is Danny Fahey. And we are looking forward to reading much more of this great writers work.
June 6, 2012
I know that sometimes the words I use for my reviews don't do the book justice, and it may happen again this time. I'll keep it brief.
I'm a huge Disney fan (as my friends know me to be) and have always loved the magic. And though this book had no clever witches on flying brooms or talking animals trying to revive an ancient tradition, I felt the magic. It was there when Jacob sung his wood down, it was there when Simon healed the village, and it was definitely there when Jacob went on the long path of healing himself.
I smiled when his mother found Yemmin and felt content, my heart reached out to Jacob when Maddie left him, I despaired when I saw Simon again in the city, and was ecstatic when he found himself again.
It's been a while since I've enjoyed a book so much. It was written with just the right tones at the right times. It led you in deeper and all the while you didn't even know you were sinking into the story until you caught yourself choking up.
This is definitely something I'll be reading over and over again.
I'm a huge Disney fan (as my friends know me to be) and have always loved the magic. And though this book had no clever witches on flying brooms or talking animals trying to revive an ancient tradition, I felt the magic. It was there when Jacob sung his wood down, it was there when Simon healed the village, and it was definitely there when Jacob went on the long path of healing himself.
I smiled when his mother found Yemmin and felt content, my heart reached out to Jacob when Maddie left him, I despaired when I saw Simon again in the city, and was ecstatic when he found himself again.
It's been a while since I've enjoyed a book so much. It was written with just the right tones at the right times. It led you in deeper and all the while you didn't even know you were sinking into the story until you caught yourself choking up.
This is definitely something I'll be reading over and over again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2012
A goodreads winner.
Clear your schedule. Everything else will come secondary once you pick up this book.
Received the book yesterday and have almost completed it. This is one of those novels that caused me to reminisce back to my childhood days and the first time I read Tolkien. Simply enjoying the journey every step of the way.
Twelve year old, Jacob, meets Simon for the first time in his village. There is something inexplicable about Simon that causes Jacob to be lured into his presence daily. Simon quickly becomes a mentor to young Jacob. There is so much more I could add. Suffice it to say, you will just have to read this for yourself to learn more.
Danny Fahey does base some of his characters and their development loosely from the Bible. However, he does this with such finesse that you have to give him the respect due for seizing you on such a magnificent quest.
Clear your schedule. Everything else will come secondary once you pick up this book.
Received the book yesterday and have almost completed it. This is one of those novels that caused me to reminisce back to my childhood days and the first time I read Tolkien. Simply enjoying the journey every step of the way.
Twelve year old, Jacob, meets Simon for the first time in his village. There is something inexplicable about Simon that causes Jacob to be lured into his presence daily. Simon quickly becomes a mentor to young Jacob. There is so much more I could add. Suffice it to say, you will just have to read this for yourself to learn more.
Danny Fahey does base some of his characters and their development loosely from the Bible. However, he does this with such finesse that you have to give him the respect due for seizing you on such a magnificent quest.
March 2, 2022
Unusual but endearing.
We open at the close.
We open at the close.
Currently reading
February 12, 2012**This book was given to me for free through Goodreads First Reads**
March 25, 2012
I unfortunately, will not be writing a review for this book, as I can honestly say, I have absolutely no idea how I feel about this story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews