Two Trees

by Julie Beekman

Julie is adopted by the Beekmans in the late 1960’s and at first, brought up in the idyllic town of Grand Haven, Michigan. When her father dies, her mother, Marge decides to sell everything, leave town and provide Julie and her brothers with some “cultural awareness” which includes enrolling Julie in an all black school in the south. Over the years, Marge becomes more abusive and ultimately Julie seeks help. She begins to confide in a young Art Therapist who helps uncover a barrage of secrets. While the book covers some dark times and tragedy, there is a strong sense of humor running through it that will keep the reader reading to see just how Julie manages to pull through it all, not only in one piece, but as an adult well able to survive in this world.

430 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2017

About the author

This is Julie's first book, however she is working on a follow-up memoir, as well as historical fiction. Julie lives in Colorado where there is always something to do outside. She's also a managing partner in two organic restaurants.

Two Trees, A Memoir is the winner of the 2019 Maxy Award for non-fiction.

Reviews

[Pat Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Trees was another of those memoirs that took me away from my usual 'go to read'. Following the author's journey through her young/teenage years was so harsh in places. I found her understandable naivety and her general character quite something - my goodness - I was rooting for her through every page. I thought a well edited and well written book. It was a page turner for me. I wanted Julie (the author) to come through it all - despite those that worked against her nature.

[Alice Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, a story of abuse and struggle, but also love and survival, told with warmth, candor, and humor. I read it in three days; I couldn't put it down. The book takes you through an amazing array of emotions, and ultimately, you are left with the beauty and resilience of the human spirit and the vision of the author as an extraordinary person.

[Ruth Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing that this young woman was able to persevere through the many hardships of her life....beginning in Grand Haven; losing her father; being shuffled around the country by an abusive mother; taken advantage of by a brother and a boss; fighting the foster-care system; dealing with her own lack of self-worth. Wow! Great story. I always wonder about the publisher/editor when I find so many print mistakes, though.

[Maryjane Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painfully honest, TwoTrees is a can’t stop reading book. Just one more chapter had me finishing it in two days. Living all my life in Montgomery County PA made it even more compelling to read about familiar places.

[Lake Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing memoir. Full of honesty and tenacity.

[Blakeleigh McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty, yet gut wrenching story; If you’re ever curious about reading a memoir, this is it. Every page is captivating and I found myself having to practically pry my eyes away! Couldn’t put it down for hours. Beautifully written. Ten out of ten. Loved it.

[Linda Hawkswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Moving Read - A Story of Survival

Frightened, cold, hungry, and not always a model of good behavior, you have to feel for Julie. She has been mistreated all her life and is only trying to survive in her own way, not always the right way. With more than her fair share of abuse and trauma all she wants is to live a good life where she is loved. Not believing in her own ability to do this she becomes a runaway only to realise that maybe, just maybe, things were not that bad where she was living before. Despite all this, she remains hopeful and keeps her sense of humour.

Two Trees was one of those books that once I started I did not want to put down. I was totally engrossed with Julie's story of how she was adopted into a dysfunctional family, suffering abuse at the hands of her adoptive mother and brothers. Her survival and resilience are portrayed beautifully in her written word., this is a moving, courageous and inspirational read, tears of heartache and laughter of joy accompanied me throughout.

Thank you, Julie, for sharing your story with your readers.

[Laura Barbieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book, I was struck with similarities to The Glass Castle in that both authors go through abusive home environments and both authors not only survive, but also become strong enough to publish their stories. It is very difficult to rank such memoirs...How do you rank someone's sharing of their most intimate explorations of their lives? Yet, the reading of this memoir was like listening to a friend tell you a story, which sometimes makes the narrative flatter than it could be.
The Greeks believed in catharsis, releasing one's own strong emotions through experiencing tragic stories. I am grateful that Beekman has had the generosity to share her story, and her authenticity shines through the narrative, compelling us to read, to relive our own stories, and to gain perspective.

[Luisa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping memoir. One at times distressing yet the tenacious, fighting spirit of Julie keeps things positive. Julie relates her very diffiult childhood and adolescence under the tutelage of an adoptive mother who abuses her both verbally and physically. You question why on earth this woman, who evidently has mental problems, should have wanted to adopt in the first place. But Julie fights on despite her mental battles. She makes some bad choices along the way but these are understandable due to her fragile self-esteem and confused mind. It is amazing how she pulls through in the end. What a brave thing to write her story. I hope it was therapeutic for her.

[Jim Landwehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving story about the author's adoptive life and her resilience in the face of childhood abuse. Just when you think her story cannot get any more tragic, it takes a turn for the worse. The tale gets into the mind of a girl, an adolescent and ultimately a young woman and tells her story in the voice of each. Beekman's words cut to the core and held my interest until the very end. If you get a chance, I highly recommend this book.

[LL · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a survivor

Such hard book to read and also to put down . This lovely author surviving such years of abuse from mother and brother is deplorable. The chief of police a predator of vulnerable young women. Hopefully he got found out and get some type of punishment. Its a wonder young Julie made it through with humor and scholastic achievement to set herself above the craziness and not let it defeat her. Best wishes for upcoming endeavors

[Joan Ellen Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping for a sequel

Mesmerizing story that left me speechless and hanging.....
I have so many questions that I sincerely hope will be answered in a sequel. Thank you, Julie, for sharing part of your lived-experiences with readers in this highly intimate, poignant snapshot of your formative years.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly one amazing story. A story of true survival. I am truly in awe of Julie and all she had to endure growing up. Didn't hold back any punches.

[Cindy Einhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author deserves all the love and support anyone can give for sharing her incredibly compelling, devastating, humble, and honest story with the world.

[Shannon Brown Truax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story that kept my interest but the number of typos and errors were really a lot. At one point the name of the character was the wrong one.

[Sally Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and heartbreaking, this memoir is full of perseverance through an abusive childhood, providing hope to anyone that they can not only survive trauma, but thrive. Hard to put down.

[leslie vinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

Unbelievable that a child could be raised in this environment and no one did anything. Can't wait to read the rest of her story.