The View From Here

by Lynne Hinton

The View From Here is about a middle-aged woman trying to find herself and coming to the realization that the only place she can do it happens to be thirty-five feet up a pine tree. This is a story about love and forgiveness, about loss and what it means to be family. It’s a story about finding peace in whatever place you call home. It’s also quietly, unpretentiously about environmentalism and preservation of place.

Katie Sinclair climbed up a loblolly pine just to see if she could. And then she stayed, creating a media sensation and more than a little trouble for the folks in Jones County, North Carolina. There is a lot of speculation about why the state employee took to the tree. Some think she is making a political statement about the destruction of forests for urban development. Others believe her recent divorce has driven her to a nervous breakdown.

But the truth is she’s living in a tree because she needs a new perspective. She needs a wider view of a life that had somehow become tedious and small. From her perch high above everyone, Katie deals with the deputy who keeps being sent to try and talk her down, a brutal spring storm, well-meaning environmentalists, odd and interesting townspeople, a pair of protective horned owls, a mysterious reporter, and even some dangerous boys sent by the developer whose plans demand taking down her tree.

There is plenty for Katie to take in while living in a tree. Author Lynne Hinton’s elegant, effortless prose shows us as if we were there what Katie is seeing and learning about birds, sky, wind, and people. But she -- and us with her -- is changed primarily by what she discovers about herself, about grief and forgiveness, and about the true love that has been in front of her for most of her life.
No reader will be unmoved by this lyrical, empathetic novel crafted by a master storyteller.

Genres: Fiction, Adult Fiction, Nature

240 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2018

About the author

Lynne Hinton is the pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The author of numerous novels including Friendship Cake, Hope Springs, Forever Friends, Christmas Cake, and Wedding Cake, she lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I had no idea where it was going. It started with Kate climbing up a loblolly tree and making herself at home there. I hadn't read anything about the book and had no idea what to expect. If you feel the same way when you start reading - I have one important piece of advice - KEEP READING! I was absolutely enthralled with Kate's far-reaching view from her perch in the tree and with all of the people who came to visit her in her temporary home. Everyone in town had different views on why she climbed the tree - was she protesting a nearby building project? was she trying to get noticed? was she having a nervous breakdown? Or was she reviewing her life and getting a wider perspective on how her past was affecting her future? Read this book and find out more about Kate - about love and family and friendship. You'll be very glad you did -- I know I am.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Jason Hills ℗ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The View From Here" was an incredible book to read! The narrative and all the characters were enjoyable! Having said that, you would be surprised at how much happens simply by hanging out in a tree!!! lol Undoubtedly, Kate Sinclair makes the most of her time in the forest, overcoming heartache, sadness, and the determination to stand for what you believe in.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Living with grief, forgiveness and friendship. Loved the birds. Mr Delores broke my heart

[Almira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very different story from what I have read in the past by Lynne.

Katie Sinclair really doesn't have an agenda when she climbs the loblolly pine outside her town - she just wants to see if she can still climb trees, and see the view. However, once up the tree, Katie makes a life changing decision - STAY PUT! Well, now that brings out many versions of why she has chosen to do this --- some of the locals are "for" her, some of them are "against".

Many of those who play a large part in Katie's life are Ray, his daughter Lilly Carol, Tiffany, Jim, Charlene, the ghost of her brother Nathan, her estranged father, plus a bunch of not so nice folks who want to destroy the forest the tree is in.....

Two of the most important characters ARE NOT HUMAN - Mrs. Delores and Mr. Delores, you have to read the book to find out "whooo" they are, and, of course, the elusive woodpecker that started the entire event.

[Susan Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read this book twice

[LInda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hardly know what to say about this book. It was definitely on the weird side, but after a while I kind of enjoyed it !! Did not know for a long time why she wasn't speaking to her father, and even after all was revealed, it still didn't make much sense to me. All that time in the tree without a shower or shampoo -- yikes.. And yes I remember that someone brought her some buckets of water. ANd she spent 3 weeks sleeping on a piece of plywood???? I liked the minister better than I liked her, and her father was certainly far nicer that she was. Guess it's all in how you feel about birds -- I like them, but am not a fanatic, and DEFINITELY would not spend 3 weeks in a tree waiting to take a picture of one of them. Still, I really liked the last 1/4 of the book. And the other thing is -- she had people waiting on her hand and foot, even emptying her bag of body waste. And of course they fed her and brought her clothes and blankets, etc. Not a bad way to "rough it".

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

A young woman climbs a tree one day, just to see if she can still do it. What she experiences in her lofty perch is a new perspective on the trees and birds. She stays, for no other reason than the joy of being closer to the wild birds she loves. Eventually, she begins seeing new perspectives for all the people in her life.
We learn a lot about Kate Sinclair, her life, family and friends. How almost everyone just accepts; Kate is living in a tree now. They decided to wait for her, she will come down when she's ready.
It's amazing how much can happen when you spend time living high in a tree. I liked the characters, the message of the joy to be gained from nature and even more, find the joy with, and take care of those you love.

[ME · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this at the beginning but before I knew it I was hooked. Lovely writing (though there were some editing misses) and a completely unexpected plot. A nice change from my usual fare, and just what I needed. I admit to skimming some of the environmental stuff, but because it really is crucial to understanding the protagonist and her struggle, you really can't skip too much. Just trust that there is purpose in it and plow on through those parts. A happy accident that I picked this up. Glad I did.

[Alistair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate has impulsively decided to camp out in a tree. She kits out her platform, wedged between branches with supplies constantly topped up by friends - conflicted Ray, and his wheelchair bound daughter Lilly Carol; Jim, a closeted Lutheran pastor with an elderly mother who refuses to die; and Tiffany, a shy student with a passion for the natural sciences. Hinton wisely allows these interesting characters their own storyline.
Kate is constantly alert to her surroundings; the birds in nearby trees (especially a pair of owls, Mrs. Delores nesting on three eggs, and her partner Mr. Delores.), but also humans coming to her tree, some with good intent, but more often the opposite.
Why is Kate up a tree? Is it because her tree is smack in the middle of a proposed retirement village? Or because of her recent divorce? Because she hasn't got over the death of her beloved brother many years ago? Or maybe because she hasn't spoken to her father for 25 years?
Kate is unable to say.
This novel gathers pace the further you read, and by the end I was racing to finish it.

[Brant Wansley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ingenious motif for an inspirational story of one woman's transformation: climb a fallen sweet gum and stay there among the loblolly pines to protest an environmental encroachment and reconcile all the loose ends of her life with a fresher perspective from her natural surroundings. Lynn Hinton has penned a beautiful story that will touch your heart.

[Suzen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how the character sees so much more in life while in the tree. i find her comparisons with the birds and real relationships interesting. Looking at her own dissappointments and actually seeing them is enlightening. I liked her characters. some happily ever after as well; family rifts repaired, true love conquers, life gets good and it ties up neatly in a bow.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told from Katie's viewpoint and I really enjoyed it. Katie has carried lifelong trauma from being abandoned by her mother and then losing her older brother. While carrying these burdens, she has still created a very full life. Climbing up a tree in an area that is about to be developed gives her time to think about her life - a journey that she shares.

[Laurel Solorzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very unique concept for a book, so I enjoyed that. I really got to know the character well, and I learned a little bit about birds. However, there is not a lot happening in the plot. Kate is in a tree, so there's only so much that can happen. The writer even said it herself at some point. Being in a tree for a long period is boring.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a very touching and powerful book! The story takes place outside, in the the forest, in a Loblolly Pine where themes of redemption, forgiveness,letting go & healing unfurl. This story will touch your soul & allow you to breathe deep & free.

[Melissa Reis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesing story, loved it

I really enjoyed reading this book. It touches on life, love and loss. It has great perspective on points of view and change. It rings true to finding yourself later in life so as to finally enjoy who ypu were really meant to be

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued as to how sitting in a tree could possibly make a whole novel but turns out it does, and it's a good one. This is an introspective tale of self discovery, nicely written. Perhaps a little too neat and tidy in it's conclusion but charming nonetheless.

[Anastasia Suderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. At first you think, how interesting can a book be about someone up in a tree? Well it turns out a lot can happen when you give yourself the space to process. It touched on a lot of subjects but most prominently family and loss.

[Amy Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so lovely. The perfect explanation of how nature makes us whole - how it can change us fundamentally. I cried at the end, of course, but also felt at peace more than I ever have after a book.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and lyrically written!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written, ; readable. A story of reconciliation, and of the blessings of the natural world

[J Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but ultimately satisfying with environmental overtones and contemporary social challenges.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kind of dragged on and then the end was kind of abrupt, but it was interesting to learn about the different types of birds.

[Maureen Gillum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky quick novel of Katie Sinclair, NC naturalist birder who lives in a tree to save red headed woodpecker & stop development. Read 226 pages. 7.5 of 10.

[Keanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written. A story of grief, friendship, love, forgiveness, and clarity. This one will stay with me.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting never changed, but the character did. Authors are magical.

[Jennifer Plante · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to stop at page 62 of this poorly edited and clumsily written book. The errors and redundant phrases (“invasive non-native species,” and “one lone bird,” to quote two) were too distracting.

[Bobbie N · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day Katie Sinclair climbs up a loblolly pine tree just on a whim, liked the view, and stays there. This sets off a lot of speculation as to her motive: is she making a political statement about the environment or against development in the area? is she having a midlife crisis or having an adverse reaction to her recent divorce? Her friends visit with supplies and food, the deputy sheriff tries to talk her down, she faces a spring thunderstorm, well-meaning environmentalists trying to capitalize on her "cause," a group of threatening young men sent by a local developer, an investigative reporter, and a pair of protective horned owls - all providing her with a wider perspective on her life.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read! It helps if you like birds, loblolly pine trees, live in a small town (preferably in NC!), support your local forest service, want to save endangered species, climbed trees as a kid, ever dreamed of living in a tree, have friends, have experienced love, loss and the need to learn how to forgive. I must say that the author wove together several storylines rather well.

The title is perfect...we all have our own personal view of the world from wherever we are: body, mind and soul. It's based on what we've lived through, what we carry with us and, almost most importantly, what we let go of...

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, upbeat, quick read that was in the staff picks section of the library. I enjoyed that the chapters are short, and the art on the cover (not the one pictured here) is lovely. I found the characters very relatable and birding background of the story really interesting. A delight to read!

[Jessica Piersol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wildlife facts and characters of this book keep you invested. Especially when the characters are described as their bird counterparts in the story. There are many comical sections and other parts were sad and get a bit heavy when the reader is drawn into the psychiatric comprehension of the heroine’s issues. All in all, I enjoyed this book because of the character development and imagery.