The Thorn Tree

by Heather G. Marshall

The lives of three generations of women intertwine in the Scottish stone cottage of Agatha, a spinster aunt with more than a helping of spunk. For Agatha's niece Margaret, born in the States but with her own secret connection to the cottage, packing her resentful daughter Hope off to Scotland the summer after her parents have split seems like the cleanest solution to the kind of messy emotions Margaret hates. Margaret spends her summer finding out who she is other than a wife and mother — and she likes it. Hope has to reinvent herself and her vision of her dad, tricky seas to navigate even without trying to figure out how to eat a bannock and remember which way to look when skateboarding across the road. And gentle Aunt Agatha wonders what would have happened if she'd made room in her life for romance and adventure, instead of just for family. Told from the perspective of each woman, The Thorn Tree weaves together the complexities of love and life for each generation, and shows the strength of family ties.

Genres: Fiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2014

About the author

Heather G. Marshall is an adoptee, author, speaker, teacher and guide. Her work reveals a deep reverence for the natural world and for the power and wisdom of older women as she weaves personal narrative with universal truth, guiding readers to question old beliefs, reclaim their voices, and step into stories of belonging and agency. Heather's writing has been published in a variety of journals, including Black Middens: New Writing Scotland, and Quarried, an anthology of the best of three decades of Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel; she has published two novels--The Thorn Tree (MP Publishing, 2014) and When the Ocean Flies (Vine Leaves Press 2024)--and a collection of short stories--Between Sea and Sky (Vine Leaves Press 2026). Her TED talk, “Letting Go of Expectations,” centers around her adoption and reunion. Originally from Scotland, Heather is currently based in the US. You can find out more about her at https://heathergmarshall.com/

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The writing was beautiful, each word felt intentionally chosen and placed perfectly within the narrative. The images and metaphors worked to build each scene and create emotional impact. Nothing here felt haphazard or accidental.

The three main characters, Agatha, Margaret, and Hope, were obviously related and still uniquely individual. Marshall did a wonderful job of nailing each woman's perspective and experience, especially considering the different generational and cultural distances. Hope was an angsty know-it-all pre-teen, and yet she wasn't stereotypical. Margaret with her need for perfection and to live "how things should be" instead of how they are felt true as well, and I felt annoyed by her as much as Hope was. But I also pitied her the way her friend Trig did, and felt sympathy for her much in the same was Agatha did. Agatha, however, was my favorite of these three women. I think that was because she felt more unknown to me than the other two. Her whole life intrigued me, and even by the end of this novel, I wanted to spend more time with her. I wanted her to teach me how to make bannock and to sit by the fire with her and her photo albums, listening to her stories.

The two different settings of South Carolina and Scotland were wonderfully crafted. I always felt grounded in the story, whether it was in the red clay of the American South or the deep dark earth of the Scottish Isle of Skye. And the way each setting helped reveal the characters who lived there was subtle. Marshall's deft use of language to create these two silent major characters really helped add depth to a story that many of us know, and which could have come off as trite in lesser skilled hands.

This book was not a typical read for me, but it is one I would read again and recommend to others. Complex, atmospheric, wonderfully written and well paced, The Thorn Tree was a beautiful literary triumph.

[Vicky Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read.

Ms. Marshall is not just a historical fiction author. She spins her tales from era to era and continent to continent. Her characters have multiple layers that evolve into complex situations and relationships. I am new to her books, but have enjoyed what I have read. 5 stars is not nearly enough for this book.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the story takes place on the island of Arran in Scotland, which is beautifully described in the book. The author has done a nice job with characterization and the mother-daughter conflict, although the ending was predictable.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. I feel like I would know the island and coastline if I saw it, the descriptions were captivating. I love Agatha and want to go stay in her cottage for an indefinite amount of time.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes me really want to go to Scotland

[Scott Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Heather especially made Scotland come alive, and her characters were interesting and nicely complex. The book read quickly - after each chapter I wanted to know what was next.