Treasure Forest

by Cat Bordhi

Following the death of his grandmother, Ben is challenged to retrieve a treasure from the bottom of a pond without disturbing the water, assisted by his sister Sara, a wheelchair-bound private detective with a three-legged bloodhound, an acorn-flute homing device, a wise woman, a mysterious golden thread, and his grandmother's invisible presence. Original. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Cat Bordhi became a writer at age twelve when she discovered the power of writing to an audience that is hungry and fully present, which at the time was herself and her closest friends, and the form was shared journals and letters. Like a raccoon washing its food in a creek, Cat learned to wash her experiences in a clear stream of words that hummed with something deeper than the confusion and dreams they described. Her most valued writing tool is Roget's Thesaurus, the full, classic edition (not the one organized like a dictionary, which is a poor cousin), because it allows one to unpeel layers of obscuration from meaning simply by testing different pathways of words.

She also learned to knit a bit like a raccoon, beside a creek, at age eight. Although her first two sweaters were abandoned unfinished, and there were years when she scarcely knit at all and other years where she knit obsessively, she has always loved the mystery of pulling loops through loops to make a shaped fabric, and continues to delight in the endless possibilities that keep appearing. She likes nothing better than to have a knitting experiment go awry because it means very interesting, possibly never-before-seen things are probably hiding nearby.

During her years as a school teacher, Cat taught a form of math which required students to deepen their understanding by explaining their investigations and insights with graphs, pictures, numbers, and words. Once she began to write knitting books, she realized that she was using the very same skills she had taught, and so her books are known for their thorough explanations.

Cat has been a full-time writer since 2002, and also teaches knitting workshops, gives talks at knitting retreats and to knitting guilds, and also teaches writing workshops. At this time she leads a quiet and blessed life tucked away in the woods on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is working on the next book in the Forest Inside trilogy, and is sheepishly collecting what seem to be projects for a Third Treasury of Magical Knitting. The infinite nature of the Moebius just seems to keep offering new possibilities to explore.

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find myself pausing and trying to figure out what I want to say here.

I did like this book. I enjoyed the story and the premise and the style of writing.
But I liked best how it reminded me of things I know - or should know, how it brought up memories of childhood explorations, and the realizations about my life that occurred as I read this book.

I realized I've been "stashing" books like I stash yarn. A special skein of yarn I will use - later.
After reading the first few chapters, I put down this book for nigh unto a year...saving it until - later.
I realized I have quite a few books from my favorite authors and books that seriously intrigue me - waiting. For Later.
I'm not getting any younger. Later is now.

I connected with one of the concepts presented in this book - the majority of fear is self-inflicted.
I came across this quote elsewhere in life while reading Treasure Forest and I think it has a similar message: “Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life.” Adele Brookman

I'm going to stop there. There are other connections I made with this book, but what it comes down to is this: For me, this book was beyond entertainment. It was an educational opportunity. I need to take more of those opportunities. Sometimes I need to be reminded...

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never heard of the Nautilus Award but I sure can see why this wonderful book won it! So much of the plot is about being one with nature, about mindfulness and being in the moment. It's not often you run across such meditation like concepts in a novel or that they are vital aspects to the story (as so many other books glorify things such as fighting or explosions, weapons of mass destruction)...but if you want to read a fantasy story that is different while also very well plotted out, then this is it! And once I started reading this one I couldn't put it down. I was totally hooked.

It starts out simple enough. A 12-year-old girl (Sara) and her 13-year-old brother (Ben) are both left mysterious gifts & letters from their now deceased grandmother. In it are riddles and challenges that seem impossible. And the deep forest is involved too... The two children love the forest but their mother is scared of it. Something dreadful had happened there long ago. And a weird man lives in the woods by the name of Daggett.

So I truly loved the adventure story in this book with all the twists and turns. Nothing was as I had expected. Nature is such a huge part of this tale and it's very enchanting. And to my surprise my favorite character ended up being the old hermit Daggett.

Now I don't know if the author had meant for him to be likable or not? But I certainly felt sorry for him near the end. He truly had done some wondrous things there by himself in the woods.

And there are a few things about the end I am a little uncertain about truthfully...a few things about Sara and Ben and what had happened with Daggett. I don't think it's right at all really. But I had still liked this book. It's a good read and it certainly is different. The treasure is certainly not what one expects at all. And that is certainly good. It hopefully makes people realize things after they read this, as not all treasure is silver or gold or shiny gems. Other things sometimes can be treasured much more. The importance of other things can quickly fall away in certain situations. Have you ever thought of that? Like peace can be a great treasure if you are stuck in the middle of a dreadful war.

Great book for anyone into yoga, mindfulness, meditating, zen or similar practices or ideas.

[Brendan Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars fr.

I picked this up without doing much research on it at all and didn't realize it was a young adults novel. Coming from hard sci-fi too, it was so difficult getting into it at first. It's why it's taken me so long to read the book in general, just because it's so different from what I've been reading all year so far. I almost wanted to give up on it too, with all the typos and sometimes iffy dialogue. But it's not really about that. It's about much more and that's what kept it interesting to me. Sometimes I wanted to roll my eyes, but I also kept in mind that Cat Bordhi was mainly a knitter and a teacher. This was supposed to be a trilogy but I don't think she ever wrote/finished the other two before passing in 2020.

It's a very cozy book and it makes me want to pick up knitting. It's also helped me, I think, with this reluctance I've had to enjoy nature due to the hidden "fears" that are in nature. I've forgotten what it is like to simply be in nature and in the moment and this book was a nice reminder even if it wasn't delivered optimally.

[Merino · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange read. Probably because I’m an adult and not a young adult (target market) that it didn’t really sit well with me. Almost stopped reading it altogether at the point that Sara is whisked away by Esther. But I continued to the end skimming through the “lessons”. Enjoyed the forest descriptions and Mathias and the conversations between Thea and Ben and Rupert and Ben. Agree that the mother comes out a bit flat. Most of all if I could get my hands on the kidnapping Esther I would lock this nut away for life. No concern for the torture and emotional turmoil that Sara’s parents were going through at the worry for their daughter. Just take her away and don’t let anyone know where she is. Sara should’ve been grounded for a month like originally mentioned as she also went into hippy land and didn’t have a care when she got back as to what they went through. Especially considering all the police resources used.
Thumbs down for the treatment of the coyotes. Unnecessary. And would have liked to see the rabbit turn up at the end.
Unsure why this is being mentioned as a trilogy. I can’t see anywhere on the book saying it is one. Considering there isn’t a book 2 and 3 would mean it isn’t. (At this point)
Three stars for most of the book being a page turner, but overall it was a little strange and irritating.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me quite some time ago by a knitting friend, and I had started it then, but didn't get very far. I picked it up again when I learned that the author, a well-known knitter and designer, had passed away. With that in mind, I enjoyed this magical and dreamlike story very much. There were, however, almost too many mysterious tales, letters, and characters and at times I wanted to have things be a bit more clear. But the two children were lovable and it was good to see the world through their eyes. I wish that the author could have written more in this trilogy.

[Sarah Thornton]

The part I had trouble with (actually there were a lot of parts I had trouble with) was that a grown man mistakes his old girlfriend's granddaughter for his old girlfriend and the drugs and kidnaps her. It's never explained why, and everyone is scared of him at the start of the book but sympathetic to him at the end? Even though he kidnapped a child and let coyotes take bullets for him rather than admit to what he did?

There are a lot of other things that just don't sit right with this book but that's kinda stark.

No one really addresses this.

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though not expertly crafted, this story drew me in. There's a journey in both physical and liminal space, the stillness of the forest, fiber arts, and the promise of something stable and permanent under the transient physical nature of things, a message that is especially comforting to me in 2020. It was not a surprise to learn that Bordhi was influenced by Eckhart Tolle. I kind of want to check out her knitting books and tutorials now.

[Aika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running through the forest, climbing trees, and sneaking out of the house from a window; all things that a person of any age can relate to. The adventure, thrill, and excitement hit your face while reading the astonishing novel, Treasure Forest. Cat Bordhi takes you on a journey that will keep you wandering further and further, going deep through the trees and meeting animals of all shapes and sizes. Treasure Forest is an illuminating novel because Bordhi marvels you throughout the book with questions; she creates characters that are relatable, and intrigues you with adventure and suspense.
Treasure Forest marvels you throughout the book with questions that leave a lasting impression. “Is there any way to retrieve a treasure underwater without disturbing the water?” (Bordhi 29). Is it is possible, or just another question that can never be answered? The author enchants you with questions that seem unachievable to respond to, or they become a mystery behind a canopy of leaves that seem like they will never be answered. Unlike other novels, this book takes the readers further into the forest making us lost in amazement. These questions spiral us through our deepest imagination and will always be remembered. Ever since I was seven, I still remember this question, and wondering what could make it possible. Bordhi takes us on a roller coaster ride, through the mystery of Grandma Daphne’s family, and the wildlife that belongs with it. From beginning to end, Bordhi marvels us with inspiring writing and questions that will further your artistry inside.
Treasure Forest is an illuminating novel because she creates relatable characters. Some families have lost close relatives, someone that they cannot replace. In this novel, Grandma Daphne has died of a heart attack, leaving her small house in the forest to her daughter and family. The children, Ben and Sara are adventurous; they want to venture out in the wilderness alone and find freedom like any other teenager. The mother, Lily is absolutely grief stricken from the death of her own mother Daphne, as well as the children who were truly close to her. Ben could only think of his grandmother, and the legacies she left behind. “How could Grandma Daphne be dead when he could almost hear the whisper of her voice, and the sniff of the freshly baked ginger cookies in her kitchen?” (Bordhi 1). Ben can’t believe that his grandmother is dead; he wondered why her and what he of done differently, and what other activities he could of done. The author changes the characters the characters mood and makes them fell as if they are standing beside you; and you can imagine the vivid scenes being performed on a stage right in front of your eyes. Bordhi portrays these characters as sympathetic towards a loss; yet she still manages to make the novel adventurous and fun even though she intertwines fatality in her writing.
Treasure Forest is an enlightening novel because Bordhi intrigues you with adventure and suspense. A man lives within the forest, unknown by most of the citizens in town. He is mysterious and lives with birds, and other wild animals. The town gossips about him because of where he lives, and what he has done many years back. Curiosity strikes Ben on who this mystery man is; and he wonders what the man is like and who he actually is since he lives in his back yard. “It was a man, and he moved through the forest like a movie with the sound turned off.” (Bordhi 103). The death of Daphne also affected this man, and the one person that he was living for, was now gone. Another example is when Sara is captured, Ben has the quest to find out who did it and where she is. In this book, Treasure Forest, the characters bring on suspense and thrill to cultivate; a great adventure.
Treasure Forest is both adventurous mysterious. The characters are relatable, the book is suspenseful, and your mind wanders while reading. The novel is great for many ages and Bordhi expresses freedom, love, and passion through the pages. This book is great for reading late at night with a flashlight or for teens to learn life issues that they have yet to experience. If you hate mystery, adventure, and books that talk about children, then this book isn’t for you, although this book is best experienced for one who loves nature and fiction. This book is truly crafted well and has a good plot.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when caught up in the frenzy of being amazed at her boundless creativity that you can't help but feel at the end of a knitting workshop with her. I was curious as to where that ability to make connections that others don't would take her in writing a novel; after all, where it takes her when she'd got yarn and needles in her hands is pretty amazing.

Then, I let the book rest on my shelf for years, untouched. I'm sorry I waited so long. This is a wonderful tale about two children learning about the magic of nature, and the nature of magic and the interconnectedness of all things. Thanks Cat!

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this book. The story was really original and interesting, but Bordhi didn't NEARLY go far enough or deep enough. It won a Nautilus Award, but I'm not really sure why. The writing was average, the characters were flat, and the plot didn't move at a very good pace. It also ended far before I wanted it to in the story.

I'm seeing now that it's part of a Trilogy, though, and maybe that's why it seemed to end abruptly. Okay, I'll forgive that if Bordhi's writing two more, but I don't think I'll read them.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the general message and was very curious as to where the story was going, but I think the overall concepts were a little too... ethereal, maybe... for me. I'm not a spiritual person, though I do grasp a sense of connectedness on a basic level, so I'm sure that has something to do with my level of appreciation for this story.

With that said, whenever she writes the rest of the trilogy I'll likely give them a read, as well.

[Chessa]

Ugh, I just couldn't finish this book. Mostly it was the fact that it is the first in a trilogy that has been out for SEVERAL years and the other two are no where in sight of being published. I can't take that crap. I'm fine (not thrilled) with books that have sequels that aren't out yet but are DEFINITELY coming out in the next few years. But this has nothing on the horizon. The characters were pretty flat and I just wanted a lot more out of it. Disappointed.

[Kelly Flanagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts off as a great idea for a book. It talks about 'the dearest freshness deep down in things'. It shows how important it is to hold the best of everything and everyone inside you. it shows the importance of meditation and the intense satisfaction of non-materialistic ways.
Unfortunately, there is no 2nd or 3rd book to this trilogy. I am saddened as it teaches important strengths to youths. Maybe she will write the rest, but 7 years is a long time to wait.

[Cosmic Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story of how to find "the dearest freshness deep down in things" through the eyes of two enlightened children. It is truly a book for the soul seeking that which you already are.

[Candice]

I read this almost to the very end. I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. The imagery of the forest was lovely, but toward the end I just lost my interest for the story and finding out how it ends.

[Krithi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoguht it was ok...like the action, but I thought it couldl have been written better

[Autumn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book I ever read.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun for me because I have been to knitting workshops with the author. She is as imaginative as the forest in her book. Her great books are her knitting instruction books.

[Astra Bluebelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

reading it, sounds good,someone died in chapter 1