The Language of Trees by Ilie RubyBack-of-the-book blurb: Echo O’Connell returns home to Canandaigua, to confront spirits, both living and not, and to share a secret with her first love, Grant Shongo—a secret that will forever change the lives of many people in the town and put to rest the mysterious disappearance of a little boy more than a decade earlier.
Grant, a descendant of Seneca Indians, has also come back to face his past. After a broken marriage, he has moved into his childhood home, a lake house that has withstood happiness and tragedy. He knows the spirits of the past must be dealt with—that of the little boy who disappeared all those years ago; the boy’s sister, who never overcame the loss; and the love Grant still has for Echo. But before the healing must come the forgiveness. . . .
She Is Too Fond of Books’ review: The Language of Trees shows striking loss and equally dramatic healing experienced by the people in a small village on the shore of one of New York state’s beautiful finger lakes. In contrast to the tourist images of idyllic waters sparkling in the summer sun, we see the stormy side of the lake – losses in love and other emotions, battles with illness, death, and, most poignantly for this group of characters, those caused by ignorance, or blatant disrespect, for the Seneca legends that ring the shore.
The bulk of the novel takes place early one summer, as the seasonal residents are starting to return to the lake for their summer sojourns. Grant Shongo has come to contemplate his failed marriage, staying in his family’s summer cottage; each evening he spends time with his thoughts, carving a statue of a Seneca warrior, one for every night since his return. Again and again he is visited in his dreams by Luke, the young boy who drowned on the lake a decade earlier. Can Grant somehow resolve the open ends that haunt not only him, but others in this small community? We have a hint as to where his convictions lie (p. 22):
His father strongly believed the words of his Seneca ancestors. That when a man left this lifetime without repenting for his sins, the Punisher would take him in this hands and turn him into ash. Then he’s spread him into earth to do everything all over again.
Echo O’Connell has returned to the lake to check in with her father, Joseph, who is in declining health. Joseph runs the local dry goods store, a center of commerce and gossip in this small lake town. For years, Echo, a full-time resident, had a serious relationship with Grant. After a bad break-up, they hadn’t seen each other in years, until they meet on the side of the road (p. 80):
She gets in on the passenger’s side … She doesn’t think this is necessarily the best idea, sitting in a contained space with all this emotion about to blow the windows right out. She edges as far away from him as she can because there are only two things you can do with this much feeling. Run like hell or get naked.
Readers interested in legends and folklore will especially appreciate the respect Ruby pays to the tales of the Seneca Nation. While some will read scenes in the novel as truth, others will be entertained by the magical realism. The history of the Seneca and their place on the Lake is told respectfully, and overlays perfectly the contemporary issues facing Grant, Echo, and others in the novel.
A visual artist as well as an author,Ilie Ruby transports the reader to Canadaigua Lake with vivid ‘word pictures’ that capture not only the sights, but also the essence of the area. I found myself reading quickly, to follow the emotionally-captivating plot she laid out, then returning to reread sections of the book, so that I could truly appreciate the beautiful writing.
Great news for book groups: The Langauge of Trees is a paperback original, so you can avoid the ’wait for the paperback release’ guideline that many discussion groups follow. The Author Insights section at the back of the book contains an essay exploring Ruby’s inspiration for writing, an interview, history and legends of the Seneca people, and a reading guide.
This is the first review I’ve read of this, and it sounds wonderful. Thanks for putting a new book on my radar!
I think this sounds like a wonderful read. thanks for the review.
What a lovely sounding book. I do like books with legends and lore and the whole ‘word picture’ angle sounds very appealing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
This sounds beautiful! I’ve been interested in this book ever since Julie and I saw the author on a panel in New York.
What a gorgeous cover!
Ah, I love legends and folklore! Thanks for making me aware of this book.
I also hadn’t heard of this book before now, but think that the story sounds very interesting. I haven’t read much about the Seneca either, which I think is another point that draws me towards this book. Great review, Dawn. This might make a really nice read for our book club, and I am glad to hear it’s available in paperback!!
What a wonderful review of an amazing book!
I love reading glowing reviews on books I’ve never heard of. Everything about this book sounds incredible.
I’m hearing a lot about this book all of a sudden. It sounds good well-written and with an intriguing plot, but I’m even more interested in the setting.I grew up in Rochester, NY, near Canandaigua and the other Finger Lakes! We just took our boys to visit the region last summer. My TBR list is overflowing, but I just might add this one! Thanks for the review -
Sue
Rebecca – I think you’d really appreciate the writing and magical realism aspect (I’ll wait for your reaction …)
Serena – I enjoyed it!
Kay – Ruby’s writing is incredible – the cadence of a paragraph can convey emotion.
Kathy – I know, while I was drinking margaritas and twinking, you were taking in a panel. I bet you woke up feeling better than I the next morning
Ladytink – yes, if I were to interview the author, I’d definitely ask about the cover image (I know many times authors have no influence over the cover art, but I wonder if she did, since she has an art background)
Beth – happy to share it with you.
zibilee – I’m hoping our neighborhood book group reads it this fall, as well.
Laura – Your review hit on a lot of the same points; I especially like what you said about no characters being minor characters.
Sandy – yes, more people must read it, so we can discuss …
Sue – it was meant to be
Isn’t it fun to read about areas that are familiar to you?! I hope you are able to get this one soon.
I grew up near Canandaigua and this brings me right back there. Great review, can’t wait to read the book.
I’m hoping this one will be next on deck for me. Great review Dawn…glad u enjoyed it.
I skimmed (your review, not the book!) as I’m a tour stop for this next week. I need to get cracking and write my post!
Wow….I love your review. Sounds really awesome. I will remember this one for sure. Thank you.
Since I love all things trees the title caught my eye. I do love the finger lakes region and the legends and magical realism would only add to its appeal for me.
I grew up in Canandaigua, so I am intrigued to read this book.
Diane -we lived in the Onondaga Hill area of Syracuse for about 5 years, so the local interest was high for me, too
diane – I’m going to head over to read your thoughts on THE LANGUAGE OF TREES …
softdrink – I’ve been behind in reading blogs; must get to your thoughts, as well
Toni – I hope you enjoy it!
Stacy – I read an interview on LibraryThing in which the author talks about how it all came together (starting with one character, and growing)
tanlexander – I believe some of the landmarks (stores, etc.) are modelled on actual buildings; I imagine you’ll recognize the description of the lake and the area … enjoy!