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A review by beautifulpaxielreads
The Family Tree by Mal Peet
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Despite being the size and shape of a children's book, The Family Tree is not for them - or at least, not for the younger ones.
Told simply and yet elegantly by Mal Peet, accompanied by Emma Shoard's evocative, almost abstract illustrations, this short book is told from the perspective of a youngish man called Ben as he reflects on his parents' divorce nearly twenty years previously.
The "tree" of the title refers to a huge beech tree standing in the yard behind the family home, in which Ben's dad Sean builds him a treehouse. As the relationship between Sean and his wife deteriorates, the treehouse, dubbed "The Nest",becomes Sean's home .
(Review to be completed after 01/06/23)
Told simply and yet elegantly by Mal Peet, accompanied by Emma Shoard's evocative, almost abstract illustrations, this short book is told from the perspective of a youngish man called Ben as he reflects on his parents' divorce nearly twenty years previously.
The "tree" of the title refers to a huge beech tree standing in the yard behind the family home, in which Ben's dad Sean builds him a treehouse. As the relationship between Sean and his wife deteriorates, the treehouse, dubbed "The Nest",
(Review to be completed after 01/06/23)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Infidelity
Deals with a parents' divorce and all that entails.