In the Shade of the Good Trees by Ewa Pruchnik
TITLE INFORMATION
In the Shade of the Good Trees
Ewa Pruchnik
252 pages
9788395611323, 4.21.21
BOOK REVIEW
Overall Rating = 3.67
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.5
Editorial = 3.75
The story begins in Poland in 1975, when a blind girl falls in love with a mysterious young man over a period of 20 days. In the Shade of the Good Trees tells their story from each perspective, taking the reader through those 20 days and the span of years that follows. Their romance is short-lived, and it is based not only on their love for each other, but their love of music, and this connection remains intact.
This story is told in a unique manner, introducing us to the couple for those first 20 days before telling the life story of each of them. The author creates believable and interesting characters, diving into the depths of their emotions. The settings are also beautifully described, both in Poland and the United States. Because of these factors, I was drawn into the story from the beginning, intrigued by the concept and the historical setting. Although obviously the author’s intention, I felt I was reading two different stories, each fascinating in their own right, with a tie-in at the beginning and the end of the book. However, I would have liked to see more of the protagonists as a couple. I would recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates emotionally captivating historical fiction. It should be noted that this edition is a translation of the original, and as such, is very well done.
Sublime Line: “In the Shade of the Good Trees is a unique, well-written love story with a touch of mystery that spans a generation and two continents.”
Sublime Book Review
sbr@sublimebookreview.com
www.sublimebookreview.com
