Silver Birches

by Adrian Plass

When David Herrick receives an invitation to a reunion from a long-forgotten acquaintance, his first reaction is to refuse. He isn't feeling very sociable since his wife, Jessica, died six months ago. But the invitation comes from Angela, one of his wife's oldest friends—and mysteriously, she has something for him from his beloved Jessica. Reluctant but curious, he visits Headly Manor. When the friends gather, they no longer resemble the fresh-faced group of twenty years ago. One has been deserted by her husband, another has lost his faith, and another is filled with anger and Bitterness. As they have less than forty-eight hours with each other, they decide to be vulnerable and bear their souls. This poignant and moving story blends Adrian Plass's rich style of writing with his knack for addressing the deep issues we all face, such as faith, grief, love … and fear.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Religion, Christian Fiction, Spirituality, Novels

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Adrian Plass is a writer and speaker who has produced over thirty books in the last twenty years. The best known of these is probably The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, a gentle satire on the modern church, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. This and other books have travelled to other countries and are translated into a number of foreign languages. Other books include biography, novels, short stories, a fictionalised account of the author's experiences as a residential child care worker, and collections of poems and sketches. A bemused Anglican, Adrian lives with his wife and daughter in a small market town near the Sussex South Downs.

Adrian has been in demand as a speaker in venues as varied as prisons, schools, churches, festivals, literary dinners and theatrical settings. His work also includes contribution to national and local radio and television. Live presentations combine humour, poetry, and story telling, largely revolving around his own inadequacies and struggles as a Christian and a human being.

In recent years Adrian has been joined by his wife Bridget in presenting a more varied and dramatic style of performance. Adrian and Bridget met at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and have found particular satisfaction in being allowed to ‘do a bit of acting’. They have also been privileged to work alongside World Vision on several occasions, visiting Bangladesh and Zambia, writing two books and touring both in the UK and abroad with the aim of encouraging people to take up child sponsorship

Their work now takes them as far away as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Africa, while trips to Europe have introduced the added dimension of speaking through interpreters. Not easy when you're trying to be funny!

Adrian's latest books include ‘Jesus Safe Tender and Extreme‘, published by Zondervan, ‘Blind Spots in the Bible’, published by BRF, and most recent of all ‘Bacon Sandwiches and Salvation’ published by Authentic Media. He and Bridget have also collaborated with friends in Canada to produce a CD of his favourite sketches from the last 20 years called ‘Preaching to the Converted’ while ‘A Touch of Plass’, CTA’s documentary video, is now out on DVD.

2008 began with a visit to Bolivia for Bridget and Adrian in collaboration with the charity Toybox to look at projects involving street children. Later on there will be a DVD, a book and a number of presentations promoting their work.

Adrian's central motivation continues to be his love for Jesus, although some may feel he expresses it rather eccentrically. His passion is to communicate the need for reality in faith, and a truth that he learned during a difficult stage in his life: "God is nice and he likes me..." Some have described his work as being ‘one long confessional’. They may well be right!

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a Christian story that is neither romance nor moralizing but an actual story with people who are Christians. I read Adrian Plass as a very new Christian many years ago and I’m happy to find he’s still really good!

[Sara Eames · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways, unfortunately, this book was a disappointment. I think the main trouble was that I came to it with expectations of what it would contain. Let me say that I am an Adrian Plass fan - I grew up reading his Sacred Diary series - and was expecting a lot of humour in this book. This was not the case. Usually with an Adrian Plass book, I read it very quickly and spend a lot of it laughing out loud - this book was so different from what I was anticipating that it took the edge off the whole reading experience for me. I admit that it was probably my fault, due to my expectations but that doesn't diminish my experience in reading this book.

The premise for the book is that a man, David, who is mourning the death of his wife goes to a reunion of Christian friends. They all agree that over the weekend, they will share what scares them the most. The only reason that David agrees to go is that the woman hosting the event, Angela says she has something for him from his late wife. The story takes place over the weekend with each day (or part thereof) being a different section of the book. It is painful to read. There were a lot of tears shed - real ones by me I mean, not just the fictional characters - and not a lot of laughter. There are no real solution offered - probably because life isn't like that - and parts of the story (particularly the ghost story and the dreams experienced by David) do not seem to get any explanation or reasoning for their inclusion in the story. Maybe I missed the point.

All-in-all, this was not the book for me - I will stick with Adrian's books that are based on comedy rather than tragedy.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poignant and well written story about death, grieving, and struggling with faith in God when it feels most unlikely that He even exists. This was recommended by someone I’ve come to trust regarding books and I’ve not only appreciated this book, but look forward to reading more from this author.

[Shân Petry · Rating 3 out of 5]

For about the first half I would have given up listening if I didn't just need something in the background while I did jobs! But the second half really picked up and the ending is lovely.

[Michael Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winner every couple should read

Thoughtful, real and wrenching. One of the best handling of grief experience I have seen. I got interested because of the movie, but the book was far better

[Ml · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a typical "Christian novel"; explored the struggles of people gathering for a youth-group reunion after a couple of decades. Set in England. Not bad.

[Loretta Aponso · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this book as apart of my book club. well the fact that it almost took a month to read should be the best indication... This book is a slow draggerrrrr. Slow Start Drags onnnnn an then finally ends. To be honest it has been my worst read of 2020. i admire the literature of the book and one hilarious bit toward the end with the birches but aside from the that. The ending was flat an underwhelming an truly i had expected more. A quick read that took too long to read. I still think its worth a read if u enjoy this style of writing but as i said book club reading book an not really a fan.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally don't read Christian fiction, although I am not sure why. David's story is one of love, longing, and grief. The backdrop of an ancient home and long ago friends adds to the sense of the distance we travel--along or together--while on earth. There is a message for everyone in the sharing of stories and the revealing of fears. The title Silver Birches refers to a Robert Frost poem, which is included in the story--as well as my favorite The Road Not Taken. Both tie into the story--longing, choices, decisions, crossroads.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book passed on from friends who were throwing it out.
Stirred all kinds of thoughts inside of me as I read it - been journalling some of that (sorry for those who hate journalling!!!)
Very different from Adrian Plass' 'secret diaries' though in a way it continues his insight about people as well as some of the strange ways we can have when we seek to work out faith, life and so on.
Not a great classic piece of literature but well worth a read.

[Trish Boese · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* Adrian Plass as an author has the ability to blend the spiritual side of life with the everyday. His characters are human Christians and they are always fun to get to know. This story explores the topic of grief, and also of reconciling who we are now with who we were as teens.

[Harry Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story on grief & working through it. Also includes other characters who are emotional "wounded" in some way & their questioning where is God's help. Makes you think how you would respond.

[MR IAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again a fantastic read

I wholeheartedly recommend this book! The author once again writes important truths in realistic ways that you can identify with. An exceptional work that explores the importance of lament.

[Talitha Voerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice read, not as quick and funny as the books from Adrian Plass I've read so far, but still a nice read. I loved how human the characters were, Davids love for Jessica and how Plass can weave christianity so thoughtfully into a story.

[Wes F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the interaction between the characters in this Adrian Plass audio book that I borrowed from our home library. Liked Plass' reading and voicing of the characters.

[Jasmine Fogwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like real life and it is refreshing.

[Debbie Whetstone Collinge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had a difficult time getting through this book and I am not sure why.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story that helps us see that we humans are more alike than we sometimes realize.

[Libby Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While society has travelled some way about social issues since this book was written, the author tries to deal with them in a sensitive way.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice with all the good feels. This was just what I needed at this time in my life. Loved how eloquent it was wrote.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, almost haunting, but challenging and an encouraging call to faith, hope, love, grace. Starts slow then begins to grab a grip of your heart

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's a thing I shouldn't be doing for quite a few reasons! Mainly because it'll probably wear me down before I can get into my daily dose of "Dead Kiss", and also because I finished this book like five weeks ago and really shouldn't be reviewing after the absurd stretches of time I had to put it down before even getting to that point. Regardless, I'm doing it, just to get it off my mind (pfahahaha, nothing ever leaves there).

Even while reading the book I had issue with the names of the characters, and by now I can't recall any of them whatsoever. I think there was an Agatha, I remember a Jenny. That's about it. Maybe a George? This is a pretty common problem I have with contemporary books--even in real life I have a hard time with names. Particularly oh-so-boring everday common names like George. I mean, how many Georges are there in the world, not even considering fiction (and definitely discounting chimps)? I have space for like, three Georges up there: Washington, Jetson, and Milton. Any other George? Just a shadow.

Thing is, I don't think it's exactly the names that made this happen. I think its the absolute lack of character within these characters. They don't have personality. I mean, Plass tried a couple times to give them some, but then they stopped having any. I distinctly remember the characteristics of two characters in this book: one was an atheist, and so was naturally portrayed as an uncultured manchild, and the other wise a short, nervous little man who reminded me somewhat of a turtle, and I chose to imagine him as such. The other characters all had somewhat memorable experiences or phrases, but they didn't have character. There was the gay guy, the girl with the one-time crush (Jenny), the woman who lived in an old house, and the main character. Also some pissed off guy who storms out after clinging around the narrative for about four pages. Pretty sure he left because the cast was already outrageously large for a personality so small.

Don't let the title, or even the intro, fool you. There is almost no horror in this book. Actually, much like the characters, there isn't a whole lot of anything in this book. There is little charm, little personality, zero wit (which is okay, you don't have to be witty to be engaging every contemporary author out there), nothing. Things happen, you're told they happen in extremely long-winded phrases, and that's about it. There is one genuinely creepy instance which is actually a short story framed by the rest of the novel, and later on a fairly creepy scene which mimics it. So it's like, there's two good emotional parts of this book, but one of them is just a repeat. Like, ten pages later.

The other thing that got me is just how incredibly rude everybody is. I get that they're trying to do some kind of honesty counselling thing, and a bit of rudeness is expected to come from that. This book, though, is like two-hundred pages of an Internet debate. It's like I stepped into any heavily-cliqued message board and read two-hundred pages of conversation, complete with shit-posts. Thing is, they aren't just directly rude during the little "share your feels" meetings, but just casually rude. At the end, for instance, the protagonist is ushered out of the mansion he was invited to stay at after hardly saying "good bye". I mean, the woman who invites him there basically says: "Oh, weekend's over. Get the fuck out of my house." Like, what?

Maybe this is some kind of American-reading-Brit-Lit disconnect, but, no really, what? This casual rudeness pervades the entire novel, and it makes me sick. Part of this is in the interactions between the cast (from now on I refuse to call them "characters") but most of it is within the narrative of the primary individual. It is claimed again and again, by himself and others, that the focal cast member is a good, honest, decent human being who gives everyone a chance, but this is only ever told and when it comes to show, we see nothing but a rude, judgmental, barely-passively aggressive person. I am frightened for any people who must spend time within any proximity of this man, he is a serial killer in the making.

The prose itself is okay. Sometimes enjoyable, I do remember coming across a couple passages which I thought were well-written. For the most part, I thought it was dry, overly wordy, and a bit full of itself.

Really, not an enjoyable read. Maybe it's because I'm agnostic, maybe it's because I'm American, who can say? I didn't like it. I don't think most people will like it. It was kind of a mind-numbing experience. I don't feel advanced as a person, I just feel like I lost some hours of my life and I want them back. Please, give them back to me. Three stars. You can have one more if I can have my hours back.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Herrick, in his latish thirties, is a “traveling Christian speaker” who has recently lost his wife Jessica. After grieving for about six months, he receives a mysterious invitation to a weekend reunion of seven people who were all a part of the same youth group at St. Mark’s two decades ago. It comes from Angela Brook, a long forgotten acquaintance who was one of his wife’s oldest friends. His first reaction is to refuse, but she says that she has something for him from his beloved Jessica. Reluctant but curious, he makes his plans to visit Headly Manor, reputed to be haunted. When the friends gather, each one bears the weight of some special burden. Angela has been deserted by her husband Alan for another woman. Mike Ford has lost his faith because he feels that God has never shown him how much He loves him. Andrew Glazier is filled with anger and bile towards Mike. Jenny Thomas has never married and is afraid of life-long loneliness. Graham Wilson has insecurities about being a husband and father that leak into his faith. Peter Grange has a deep, dark secret that he has never told anyone else. And David is suffering from anger at God for taking his wife.

Angela tells them that the purpose of the reunion, besides renewing old acquaintances, is for each one to open up, be honest, and tell all the others his or her greatest fear. Will they have the courage to bare their souls? If they do, how will such revelations be received? And what does Angela have for David from Jessica? Adrian Plass is identified as “one of today’s most significant Christian author.” However, I first became acquainted with his name because from 2001 to 2006, Plass teamed up with Focus on the Family Radio Theatre in their original miniseries Father Gilbert Mysteries to provide the voice of the lead character, Father Louis Gilbert, a former London police detective who became an Anglican priest and now solves spiritual mysteries in the fictional Sussex village of Stonebridge. Doing some research about Plass, I came across this novel which sounded interesting. First, the negatives. In addition to some common euphemisms, people are said to swear, phrases like “Good Lord” and “My God” are used as exclamations, the “d” and “h” words are found occasionally, and some near vulgarisms (pi**ed off, bas*ard) appear. A few references to smoking and a lot of references to drinking wine, beer, brandy, whisky, burgundy, and other kinds of “booze” occur.

The book is not for children. Much of the discussion about fears involves conversations of a sexual nature, yet everything is considered within the context of Biblical morality. It includes a recollection of Mike and a girl named Amanda Nichols going skinny-dipping together at a church retreat, although nothing else happened. Unmarried Jenny would like to have sex but is still a virgin because of her desire to please God. Peter’s secret is that he is “gay” but has chosen to remain celibate. There is a passing mention of masturbation. Now, the positives. If one is willing to wade through all this baggage, there really is somewhat of a “Christian message” in the book about being attracted by temptation but resisting it, dealing with problems of the past, coping with tragic loss, facing one’s fears, and generally turning these kinds of irritations into pearls. It was not what I expected, and I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, there are a number of things in it that I would not be comfortable recommending. On the other hand, it is an interesting story, and I found the conclusion fairly satisfying.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books that tell a good story, but books that are really well written, those which really paint pictures with words, which make you feel the story are few and far between. Maybe that's because generally prefer fluffy light fiction, or maybe it is because being able to write like that is an exceptional talent. Anyone can say there is a red-painted vase with a yellow sun. A few gifted writers can make you feel the red, and use the red to set the overall tone of the scene. Adrian Plass, author of Silver Birches is such an author.

The main character in Silver Birches is David, a man in his late 30's/early 40's, who was recently widowed. David is one of those guys who makes his living talking about Jesus, but he hasn't given a speech since his wife died. He is evaluating what he wants to do with his life, and falling into depression when he gets a call from an old friend of his wife. The three of them had been in the same church youth group in their teens. Angela told him that his wife had given her something to give to him. She wanted to give it to him at her house, an old English manor, on a weekend attended by other friends from that youth group. He agrees to attend, as do several other people.

The group gets together with the goal of telling the others their greatest fear. They eat, drink and talk. We learn about their hurts, fears, faith--and for some, lack thereof. That being said, this isn't the typical Christian novel. For one thing, I have read that some industry standards for Christian novels require that Christians do not drink alcohol. In this book they do, socially and without adverse effects. Also while the thread that holds these people together is membership in a church youth group, many of the stories told and issues addressed could be those of any group of almost middle-aged adults. I don't really want to give anything away (but this book is much more about the characters than the plot) but at the end one of the characters embraces traditional Christian sexual morality and rejects today's "if it is what I'm attracted to, it must be good".

As I noted at the beginning, what struck me most about this book was the absolutely beautiful use of language. It is faith-based fiction and anyone who has been on one of those youth group weekend retreats with their Saturday night combination of sleep deprivation, prayer, candle or firelight and introspection will feel at home around the fire with this group.

Just in case you haven't figured it out, I loved this book.

[Keiki Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a fiction novel, I almost relate it to C. S. Lewis' `A Grief Observed` because it relates, in fiction form, the same grief and honesty that Lewis offered.

This is the first work of Adrian Plass that I have read but I plan to read many more. This review is from the audio book format with Plass as the narrator which certainly added to the enjoyment of the book as the author provides the tempo and inflection meant when the book was written.

The story is told from David Herrick's perspective, a grief stricken Christian speaker by trade, and explores all the nuances of Christian bereavement.

Conversations (prayers) with God, to God, at God are woven throughout the book making it identifiable to all Christians who have lost someone dear to them. An unbeliever reading this novel would be surprised at the admittance. A believer reading this book will smile and connect with the honesty.

In this story, David Herrick has lost his beloved wife and struggles with all the words, phrases and counsel he has offered to others in his many years as a famous Christian speaker.

He accepts a mysterious offer from a long ago friend from his high school youth group at church. More mysterious is the fact that Angela, the hostess, schedules the reunion because of a request his late wife had made shortly before her death.

They meet for a weekend in a haunted manor and set the agenda for all to spend their time there being `open and vulnerable.' Many years have passed since their weekly youth group where they had shared their thoughts and dreams as teenagers. Now, they revisit some memories and make many more.

It is a very enjoyable book. I found the conversations that David Herrick has with the other members of the group insightful, witty and winsome. The English conversational style is art all its own and discussions in this book stir the readers mind to wonder if the dialogue would be same given the situation.

The title `Silver Birches' brings to mind the poem `Birches` by Robert Frost evoking a new meaning to the poem, well at least for me. "One could do worse than be a swinger of birches."

For a trip into the mind of a grieving Christian (pain is pain whether you are a believer or not), for the enjoyable dialogue, the deep sense of walking with Christ and how it relates to the hard moments of life, pick this book and find a fictional story of honesty, reflection, grief, loss, and the many miracles that God performs in the lives of those who follow Him.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

David, a recently bereaved Christian speaker, is invited to a reunion of his old youth group in a 'haunted' house. Five or six friends decide to talk about what frightens them. The first time I read the book, I found it difficult to tell these characters apart, but this time I took it more slowly, savouring the words - the writing is excellent - and flipping back if I forgot who was whom. I made sure to read everything: descriptions, poetry, emotional outbursts, nightmares; and to re-read if I missed something.

And what a beautiful book it is. Adrian Plass is best known for his satirical humour, and that’s certainly in evidence in a few places; I laughed aloud once or twice. It made a perfect contrast to the incredibly moving passages with which the book begins and ends, and some unexpectedly poignant sections within.

There’s no plot to speak of, and most of the characters are a little two-dimensional. However, I absolutely loved it. Highly recommended if you like thoughtful, exploratory books about relationships and faith (or lack thereof) and honesty.

Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Lynne Burkholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has to be one of the most insightful authors I have ever read with a wicked good sense of humor. Having been raised in a church setting, off to youth retreats and immersed in Christianize lingo for most of my life, Adrian Plass hits the nail on the head with his stream of consciousness that many of us run through in a given day.

I see Adrian taking all of his collected insights and putting it into novel form in hopes that we, the reader, will not feel preached at but will "get it" through the back door. He also deals keenly with grief, the loss of a spouse. Truly a good read for someone going through that. He rounds out his characters and ends the book with you wanting more and waiting for the ribbon to fit neatly around the story.

Meeting Adrian this side of heaven might not be an option but chewing the fat with him in heaven is something I am planning on doing. : )

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm... At the end of the day, I enjoyed reading it. Is it the most brilliant prose? Probably not. Does it try a little to hard? Probably a bit.

What I enjoyed was the reflectiveness of it; I enjoyed reading on to discover how Plass would unfold and deal with the various 'issues' of his old friends. I enjoyed that he didn't necessarily try and tie everything up neatly and as such maybe (somewhat ironically) over-simplified some stuff, or at least didn't really go into it aaaall. But then maybe that's the point - a snapshot in time.

Mostly it made me long for lazy yet soul-warming weekends with wine, good food and old friends by the fire.

Worth a look.

[Erin Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars instead of five only because I was disappointed with the ending, which used devices (a sermon, a letter) that delivered meaning a little too heavy-handed for my tastes. But that didn't dampen the beauty of the rest: rich sensory imagery and emotions, complex characters, honesty, and humor more intelligent and unexpected than I thought would show up in a story about grief. Poetically written, but not lofty or condescending. The scene in which Peter and David climb the silver birches will stay with me forever.

[Amy Binkerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's a rather short book, it still took me some time to get into it. The author is kind of wordy, but maybe that's because he's from England? I don't know! All I know is I kept finding myself reading it in a English accent, pathetic I know! But in the end it was a very good book. There was one portion of the book that I learned from, and while I can't tell you what that is as it's a spoiler, it gave me a nugget of wisdom to tuck away. Eventually you get past the authors need to use a lot of adjectives, and find an amazing book underneath!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting when I got this book but this wasn't it. It was more serious than what I typically read but I enjoyed it. I was pleasantly surprised at the authenticity of emotion and experience. I found the story to be true to life and enjoyed how they were willing to place themselves in an awkward situation and be vulnerable with each other when it would have been easier not to.