Echo goes back to the town where she grew up to see her adopted father who is ill, also back in town is Grant who came back to his father's old cabin after his wife left him. These two were involved as teenagers but then went on to their own lives away from the small town. Grant has Indian blood in him and has the powers of being an animal healer. Grant has befriended an old wolf and healed him when he is hit by Echo's jeep. The story goes back to the past and present and Grant finds out that his father was also a healer and finally puts his past to rest. The story is set in upstate New York and is centered around some of the mythology of the Seneca Indians. Tragedy is at the heart of the story, where 3 children take a neighbor's canoe in the middle of a stormy night to escape their abusive father. They see what they believe is a giant on the island in the lake, and in the storm, the youngest boy drowns. This event changes everything for the family, but the changes come in waves. Maya, the middle child, is institutionalized for mental illness, while Melanie at first seems to do fine, performing well at school, but then rebels and falls into a drug addiction. When Melanie disappears, leaving her boyfriend and her young son, most believe she has just fallen back into addiction, but Lion, her boyfriend believes otherwise. Grant, son of the community doctor who was also the owner of the canoe, returns to town to regroup after the end of his marriage. He becomes involved with the search and also is drawn back to his high school love, Echo, who is visiting her ill adoptive father. Touches of magical realism and healing power are found throughout the story. The story takes some interesting turns as the past and present are revealed.
What do You think about The Language Of Trees (2010)?
Pretty good- a little corny yet a quick read.
—shanelle
