Memory Tree

by Bill Mathis

Eula’s stardust—spirit—has been waiting for her father to return to their old farmhouse so she can learn why he didn’t rescue her, her brother, and their mother. Dying of cancer, her father Duane, finally returns. He wants to pass away with his guilt and remorse of not being able to rescue his family and, more importantly, his secret shame over the way he dealt with his mixed race relationship. Retha, a nurse specializing in end of life care, works to help him overcome his regrets. In the process, each realize their secrets and their families are intertwined. In this touching and deeply layered story of race, prejudice and love, an Eastern white pine tree—named Memory—presides over the front yard and proves to be a generational refuge.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2021

About the author

Bill Mathis won third place in the 2020 Chicago Writers Association First Chapter Award for his most recent novel, Memory Tree, published May 2021. He also won first place for Revenge is Necessary that published in December 2020. He received the 2019 Pencraft Runner Up award for Family Fiction for his novel, The Rooming House Diaries. Bill began writing after he retired from careers in YMCA camping and foster care. His books involve family, warts and all, usually some LGBTQ characters, diversity and non-DNA family. He resides in Beloit, Wisconsin and enjoys writing, reading, volunteering and traveling.

Reviews

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Memory Tree” is Bill Mathis’ fifth book. The story takes place in a small rural community in Michigan. As he did in his previous books, Bill creates characters which come to life on the page. The characters in “Memory Tree” encounter bias and discrimination involving multi-racial relationships (both romantic partners and childhood friends), discrimination against a gay couple, bullying that can become violent, and the death of loved ones. Bill allows the characters to speak their truth and thus lets the experience of these encounters be revealed. He does not preach or judge.

Nine-year old Eula provides the opening narrative and introduces the reader to Memory Tree. Eula has been dead for over 30 years and her stardust is in her family home, awaiting the return of her dad. Chapter One ends with Eula’s haunting words: “I’m here in the house, waiting for Dad. Waiting to learn what happened. Waiting for my forever to start.”

Bill Mathis has crafted another great story and I highly recommend it.

[Sharon Belding · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little difficult at first to understand what was happening in the plot. But continuing on, I found it deeply interesting, relevant and a bit haunting. I thought it informative and creative in writing style.

[Joanne Lenz-Mandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written end-of-life review for the main character making peace with his life and the scars that racism left there.