It Grows on Trees

by Jonathan Griffiths

A coming of age story in a family where chaos is normal, the ludicrous is everyday, and the improbable is unexceptional. When you're growing up in such a turbulent environment, what could make it worse? Try adding lots of money, unequally shared!It Grows on Trees is a rollicking ride for Nelson and his astonishing collection of relatives and hangers-on that takes him across generations, several nations, affairs (both love and financial), and somehow or other… out the other side.

374 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2023

Reviews

[Graeme Sparkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Grows on Trees is an hilarious romp around the world when a family of modest means and thwarted dreams unexpectedly inherits a huge amount of money. I’ve read a few of Jonathan Griffiths’ novels, which are all quite quirky, and so too is It Grows on Trees. It had me chuckling every page. Told through the eyes of an adolescent, it follows the life of Nelson, whose Dad suddenly has enough finances to reform the mediocre rock band of his youth and make a documentary about the whole complex reunion. But old discontents resurface and extended-family frictions over the distribution of the dead man’s estate keep the story rolling along, until Nelson turns eighteen and receives his share and commences his own journey through sweet love affairs, demanding friendships, and keeping his oddball tribe happy. Nelson is a truly non-judgmental, generous character—a rare character in contemporary literature. A thoroughly enjoyable read.