The Boys in the Trees- Mary Swan
Review by Mary-Lou Gelissen
Although
this book was a challenge to get "into," I followed my #1 rule of reading
(read at least 50 pages before you give up) and it was worth the patience.
The story follows the the Heath family and the crimes William Heath is
involved with and how it escalates to murder in a small town in Ontario.
Using the voices of local characters, villagers and even a young boy curious
about the crime itself the story takes on a literal page by page layering
effect that can be beautiful at some times and daunting to keep up with
at others. This is not a novel to read over the weekend, It is a finely
crafted work of art that takes extra effort to feel the Victorian voices
come alive. Yet it is absolutely worth it, and I look forward to listening
to Mary Swan read from this compelling novel at Bookfest Windsor Halloween
Weekend. It's always worth putting time into a book that makes you think
and if you are challenged by it, so much the better. I guess that is why
she is shortlisted for a Giller Prize for this novel this year.
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