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A Forest with No Trees
‘I don’t remember yesterday. It’s a lie, of course. What I mean is, I remember so very little.’
Tom Haworth is struggling against the fragility of his own mind as it surrenders to what seems an increasingly hostile world. He begins to be haunted by vivid dreams that transport him into a different life and to a treeless forest, high in the stark moorland of industrial England around the time of the First World War. There he meets family he never knew existed and a girl called Clara, whom he recognises as the blueprint for every woman he has ever loved. Back in the present, he discovers he is losing vaguely remembered yesterdays in which he has acted out of character, as if someone were taking his place.
Tom traces back through his family tree and discovers the characters in his dreams to be real and not just products of his unstable subconscious. Where are the ‘memories’ coming from? Has madness finally taken hold? And is Clara lost to him forever, or will she be his salvation?
A story of redemption and rebirth that weaves compellingly between different times and different lives.
Inspired by a gravestone in a remote Pennine cemetery, this story had been nagging at the author for over a decade. Eventually he gave in.
Tom Haworth is struggling against the fragility of his own mind as it surrenders to what seems an increasingly hostile world. He begins to be haunted by vivid dreams that transport him into a different life and to a treeless forest, high in the stark moorland of industrial England around the time of the First World War. There he meets family he never knew existed and a girl called Clara, whom he recognises as the blueprint for every woman he has ever loved. Back in the present, he discovers he is losing vaguely remembered yesterdays in which he has acted out of character, as if someone were taking his place.
Tom traces back through his family tree and discovers the characters in his dreams to be real and not just products of his unstable subconscious. Where are the ‘memories’ coming from? Has madness finally taken hold? And is Clara lost to him forever, or will she be his salvation?
A story of redemption and rebirth that weaves compellingly between different times and different lives.
Inspired by a gravestone in a remote Pennine cemetery, this story had been nagging at the author for over a decade. Eventually he gave in.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2015
37 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2020
A Different Perspective
I enjoyed this story. It's a challenge to right a, proper review as I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Apparently recent surveys have shown that audiences like spoilers. The majority like knowing what is going to happen and it increases their enjoyment. Not for the fist time, I'm in the minority on that. Not sure I agree with the findings angway. Regardless, I'm not going to risk it.
The narrative is engaging though it took a while for me but it did draw me in and the story is believable, with good historical context as far as I can judge. I know something of the WWI period and a little of the industrial history and learnt some things I didn't know and that's always a plus. The characters are lightly drawn but convincing and there's some humour too. I knew someone from a similar area and he described characters, attitudes and places that coincide with those portrayed. Characters become stereotypes for a reason and whilst their is variety everywhere, I every time, there are some constants in each. I must remember to tell my husband that it is and was common for people who live north of London, to talk of going 'up' to town/London. Strangely London is still called town rather than city, by many whilst knowing it is a city of course.
So, it's an easy and enjoyable read which is more than enough for me to go on and read the authors other books. I apologise for this lacklustre review. It's a reflection of my lack, not the authors. Though I would rate it as a 3.7.
I'm a bit torn in my rating
I enjoyed this story. It's a challenge to right a, proper review as I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Apparently recent surveys have shown that audiences like spoilers. The majority like knowing what is going to happen and it increases their enjoyment. Not for the fist time, I'm in the minority on that. Not sure I agree with the findings angway. Regardless, I'm not going to risk it.
The narrative is engaging though it took a while for me but it did draw me in and the story is believable, with good historical context as far as I can judge. I know something of the WWI period and a little of the industrial history and learnt some things I didn't know and that's always a plus. The characters are lightly drawn but convincing and there's some humour too. I knew someone from a similar area and he described characters, attitudes and places that coincide with those portrayed. Characters become stereotypes for a reason and whilst their is variety everywhere, I every time, there are some constants in each. I must remember to tell my husband that it is and was common for people who live north of London, to talk of going 'up' to town/London. Strangely London is still called town rather than city, by many whilst knowing it is a city of course.
So, it's an easy and enjoyable read which is more than enough for me to go on and read the authors other books. I apologise for this lacklustre review. It's a reflection of my lack, not the authors. Though I would rate it as a 3.7.
I'm a bit torn in my rating
August 3, 2020
This was a really good story and I enjoyed it, even though it was a bit weird with its supernatural elements. However, I'm happy to suspend disbelief and I actually liked the fact that in this book there was a drug-based (prescription drugs) reason given for what the protagonist experiences. That leaves the reader guessing a little but it was a good extra thought.
I did think it was in places written a little like a reportage. I also noticed that the Lancashire village sounded very like the one in Courage Dies Many Times but has a different name. Maybe two-tier cemeteries are common in that valley land.
I liked the fact that there was a positive ending.
I did think it was in places written a little like a reportage. I also noticed that the Lancashire village sounded very like the one in Courage Dies Many Times but has a different name. Maybe two-tier cemeteries are common in that valley land.
I liked the fact that there was a positive ending.
October 24, 2017
A genealogical novel at its best.
Once I got into this book it was virtually unputdownable. The genealogical story is credible and well written with the added bonus of imagination and a present-day side to the story too. The only criticism is that I felt the ending was a tad rushed and could have been unravelled more slowly.
Once I got into this book it was virtually unputdownable. The genealogical story is credible and well written with the added bonus of imagination and a present-day side to the story too. The only criticism is that I felt the ending was a tad rushed and could have been unravelled more slowly.
July 12, 2018
Highly recommended
I chose this book as I recognized the " Singing Ringing Tree " on the cover and was so pleased I did . Well researched historical and local facts added to an intriguing story kept me reading well into the early hours and Peter Hey's excellent writing style means I will certainly be looking for anything else he has written.
I chose this book as I recognized the " Singing Ringing Tree " on the cover and was so pleased I did . Well researched historical and local facts added to an intriguing story kept me reading well into the early hours and Peter Hey's excellent writing style means I will certainly be looking for anything else he has written.
July 5, 2017
Well worth reading
A cut above some of the other genealogical fiction out there - well written, engaging if flawed main character and an interesting and different take on family history
A cut above some of the other genealogical fiction out there - well written, engaging if flawed main character and an interesting and different take on family history
December 19, 2019
Beautifully written. Lovely literary voice.
August 13, 2021
Enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews