The AWA Book Review

"Books Are a Uniquely Portable Magic" Stephen King

by Isabelle Tadmoury

Harry's Trees By Jon Cohen

“A quality that always amazed him about trees: the constancy of their temperature. In winter, trees are never cold to the touch, and in summer they give off no acquired solar heat. It spoke to their essential aliveness. They were not rocks growing warm in the midday sun or streams that froze over; they were as self-regulating as the human body. It was a small leap to imagine that trees had souls.”

Harry is a forest service bureaucrat who comes to the realization he is no longer happy at work and feels “trapped” by his office job. Add to his discomfort the sudden death of his wife, which takes his life on a downward spiral. That is, until he finds himself in the Pennsylvania woods. Being back in nature not only has a restorative impact on Harry but when he meets a young girl, a certain mysticism enhances his life.

Trees in a Forest

The writing has a childlike quality, as the story intertwines fairy-tales, a spiritual naturalism and modern-day problems all into one. I could see it being turned into a Hallmark movie rather than an Oscar-nominated film. Yet, it was pleasant to read about an “enchanted forest” and all the characters that were unknowingly affected by it. The story has layers that surprise a reader, and in the end, you may find yourself rooting for Harry.

For me it was a reminder that nature is essential to our well-being. Harry teaches us about trees throughout the course of the story. It also touches on things that I love: treehouses, books, libraries and strong-willed girls. Harry’s Trees is part magical tale and part redemption story, and an easy escape from regular life.

Isabelle is an avid reader and book club member. She’s written a children's picture book "Three World Trade Center was our Home” which is part of the 9/11 Museum. Catch her recommendations in the magazine or on GoodReads.