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The Mulberry Tree
Marcus Lamb is puzzled by his grandfather’s decision to bequeath him his beloved North London allotment; his grandfather knew that he had no interest in gardening. Marcus wants nothing more than to indulge in drink, drugs and women.
But when he meets the plot-holders on the Butterfly Lane allotments--Sophia, a charming, but troubled, woman in the midst of a spiritual crisis; Alex, his fiery, Greek neighbour, who covets both Marcus’s plot and a mysterious book that belonged to his grandfather; and Benjamin, a shadowy recluse--the reason for his inheritance becomes clear.
But when he meets the plot-holders on the Butterfly Lane allotments--Sophia, a charming, but troubled, woman in the midst of a spiritual crisis; Alex, his fiery, Greek neighbour, who covets both Marcus’s plot and a mysterious book that belonged to his grandfather; and Benjamin, a shadowy recluse--the reason for his inheritance becomes clear.
- GenresFiction
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2013
38 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 2, 2015
Wonderful!
I began reading The Mulberry Tree not knowing what to expect. I came away from this delightful book blown away!
In other words, I loved it!
So what's it about? Marcus Lamb is a 30 year old self centered and quite irresponsible bachelor. All he cares about is partying and using women to meet his immediate physical needs. So imagine how surprised he is when he's bequeathed his late grandfather's North London allotment. If you're like me and wonder what in the world an allotment is, well....it's a plot of ground in a community garden. Now what's Marcus going to do with a small piece of land when he knows nothing about gardening and why would his grandfather leave it to him of all people?
Oh my, was I in for a treat when I began reading this amazing tale. I admit it took me a few chapters to get into the story but once I began to meet all the characters, I could not put this book down! This was not a predictable storyline at all. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, well..the author spun his magic and took me down another road in a better direction!
5 stars to this wonderful heart warming book!
I began reading The Mulberry Tree not knowing what to expect. I came away from this delightful book blown away!
In other words, I loved it!
So what's it about? Marcus Lamb is a 30 year old self centered and quite irresponsible bachelor. All he cares about is partying and using women to meet his immediate physical needs. So imagine how surprised he is when he's bequeathed his late grandfather's North London allotment. If you're like me and wonder what in the world an allotment is, well....it's a plot of ground in a community garden. Now what's Marcus going to do with a small piece of land when he knows nothing about gardening and why would his grandfather leave it to him of all people?
Oh my, was I in for a treat when I began reading this amazing tale. I admit it took me a few chapters to get into the story but once I began to meet all the characters, I could not put this book down! This was not a predictable storyline at all. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, well..the author spun his magic and took me down another road in a better direction!
5 stars to this wonderful heart warming book!
May 1, 2016
Lovely heart warming book, got a bit misty eyed in places. Funny and warm, I wanted to know these characters in real life. If you liked A Man Called Ove, then this is a book for you.
December 14, 2021
It's not often I read a book again, but I have done with The Mulberry Tree and, if anything, have loved it more the second time around. It's a story of an allotment and the people who garden there, their stories past & present. It will make you smile and cry but it's well worth reading. Give it a try.
July 7, 2018
Not the type of book I usually read , but I thoroughly enjoyed it . The characters were so alive I could imagine each one . The ending was somewhat of a surprise. It was beautifully written with a lot of twists and turns.
Not the type of book I usually read but I thoroughly enjoyed it . The characters were beautifully defined. The writing was eloquent and the storytelling really good . The plot had twists and turns and the ending was somewhat surprising but nevertheless ,satisfying.
Not the type of book I usually read but I thoroughly enjoyed it . The characters were beautifully defined. The writing was eloquent and the storytelling really good . The plot had twists and turns and the ending was somewhat surprising but nevertheless ,satisfying.
July 17, 2018
What a beautiful story, an unexpected little treasure...refreshing and pleasant read.
August 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book.
This book has a lot of heart. It's smart and well written. The characters are people who you will love, despise and come to respect.
This book has a lot of heart. It's smart and well written. The characters are people who you will love, despise and come to respect.
March 29, 2021
Ann enjoyable read
The characters feel real, like you have met them at some time. The good ones and the not so good ones. Makes me want to till my garden now.
The characters feel real, like you have met them at some time. The good ones and the not so good ones. Makes me want to till my garden now.
July 29, 2013
What a lovely, lovely book. I really enjoyed this. I was sucked in from the first page and comfortably ensconced in the lives of allotmenteers for the duration of the whole book. Who would have thought such drama could occur in the company of cabbages, pumpkins, and tomatoes. I haven’t lived!
Marcus is...a hedonist. Actually, he’s an unscrupulous toad, who lets down his pregnant girlfriend so he can continue to pursue the pleasures of drugs, drink, and sex. So, he is just a little more than surprised when his late grandfather leaves him, of all things, his allotment. What on earth would he want to do with an expanse of soil and neighbouring fuddy-duddy plot-holders? He discovers that these fuddy-duddies are quite a motley crew. Alex is disgruntled and bad-tempered with a chip on his shoulder. Petro and Yianni are friendly and helpful…and Yianni has a rather attractive daughter, Sophie, herself going through her own crisis. Then there’s the very mysterious, but oh so wise, reclusive Ben. Then there’s plot politics, jealousy, and skulduggery (oh yes, you can bet your sweet potato there is!).
But…and this is what Marcus was to discover…there was beauty, calm, tranquillity, satisfaction, and sheer joy. Joy from watching something grow to magnificence with patience and plenty of nurturing. Even the rampant, randy, and reckless Marcus becomes smitten.
Mournehis has put together a wonderful array of characters, skilfully portrayed and well defined. Marcus’ character was quite simply a masterpiece, poignantly contrasted by the enigmatic Ben. The author certainly knows a thing or two about growing luscious vegetables and fruit and expertly interlaces his experience (or if not, his impeccable research) into a rich and compelling story.
Don’t for one minute think that this is just a meandering story about human nature and runner beans. There are some smack-in-the-face shocks and twists that catch you unawares.
Classy and compelling. Do read this.
Marcus is...a hedonist. Actually, he’s an unscrupulous toad, who lets down his pregnant girlfriend so he can continue to pursue the pleasures of drugs, drink, and sex. So, he is just a little more than surprised when his late grandfather leaves him, of all things, his allotment. What on earth would he want to do with an expanse of soil and neighbouring fuddy-duddy plot-holders? He discovers that these fuddy-duddies are quite a motley crew. Alex is disgruntled and bad-tempered with a chip on his shoulder. Petro and Yianni are friendly and helpful…and Yianni has a rather attractive daughter, Sophie, herself going through her own crisis. Then there’s the very mysterious, but oh so wise, reclusive Ben. Then there’s plot politics, jealousy, and skulduggery (oh yes, you can bet your sweet potato there is!).
But…and this is what Marcus was to discover…there was beauty, calm, tranquillity, satisfaction, and sheer joy. Joy from watching something grow to magnificence with patience and plenty of nurturing. Even the rampant, randy, and reckless Marcus becomes smitten.
Mournehis has put together a wonderful array of characters, skilfully portrayed and well defined. Marcus’ character was quite simply a masterpiece, poignantly contrasted by the enigmatic Ben. The author certainly knows a thing or two about growing luscious vegetables and fruit and expertly interlaces his experience (or if not, his impeccable research) into a rich and compelling story.
Don’t for one minute think that this is just a meandering story about human nature and runner beans. There are some smack-in-the-face shocks and twists that catch you unawares.
Classy and compelling. Do read this.
June 17, 2015
I enjoyed this story. The writing style was a little different. It felt like it was written by someone for whom English is a second language, but it still flowed nicely and I liked the interpretations of Greek terms noted in parenthesis. It was engaging, but not to where I felt like I had to get back to it and see what was going to happen next.
I liked the story and the characters, but I was a little disappointed by who ended up with whom at the end. That's okay, though... in real life, everything doesn't always turn out rosy. I often think a book should have been edited down, but I wouldn't have minded to see everyone in the story explored a little deeper if this book would have been longer.
What I really enjoyed was the gardening lessons and how being a part of the land was such a blessing to the people in the story and changed Marcus' life. Overall, it was a bittersweet story with ups and downs. I don't categorize it as great literature, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.
I liked the story and the characters, but I was a little disappointed by who ended up with whom at the end. That's okay, though... in real life, everything doesn't always turn out rosy. I often think a book should have been edited down, but I wouldn't have minded to see everyone in the story explored a little deeper if this book would have been longer.
What I really enjoyed was the gardening lessons and how being a part of the land was such a blessing to the people in the story and changed Marcus' life. Overall, it was a bittersweet story with ups and downs. I don't categorize it as great literature, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.
January 10, 2015
I've nearly finished this book and will be really sad to see it end. The characters are pure delight and the story quite beautiful in its simplicity. Can't believe I am saying all this positive stuff when at its core the book is a romance (and I don't do Romance) . Who knew! Definately recommend as a gentle and thoroughly good read. Will read it again at some point.
May 22, 2016
Wonderful book!
I always get books with interesting titles or by their author. I read this book over a weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was getting tired of romantic novels all ending the same way.
I always get books with interesting titles or by their author. I read this book over a weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was getting tired of romantic novels all ending the same way.
November 13, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it wholeheartedly.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews