Multigenerational family saga full of nature? The premise was so interesting and immediately grabbed my attention.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me - I found it hard to get into the story and felt like the plot was all over the place. The writing was overall good but didn't make up for my connection with the plot nor characters. Having said that, I believe that some readers would enjoy this novel.

DNF@ 10%

This book is surrounded by trees, it is the subtext, the backdrop, the way all the characters survive, but each has a different approach to the trees. One rails against those cutting them down, while her father was the one doing the cutting. There’s a scientist studying the trees, and another creates thing from the wood.

And yet the book is really about family, and orphans. The opening pages have an image of a cut tree with the rings, with dates attached. This is also the framing of the book, which works great. Each year listed we visit in the book, starting with the future point at 2038, then going back to 1908, stopping along the way at specific years, then going back forward and ending with 2038. The bulk of the book rests in 1934. I like the layers and how the different time periods play upon each other, the years as rings as in the wood.

I enjoyed this book, despite all the bad decisions that the various characters seem to make. I liked the way the family is explored and revealed.

This was a joy to read! It is a wonderful, multi-generational family saga. The forest backdrop that links the stories and characters together is immersive and atmospheric.

Had a really hard time getting into this one and had to set it aside. I wanted to love it but it just was too slow from the start.

Better in print than the audio, I'm sure. I listened and wasn't drawn into the tale--my mind wandered a bit instead. Must be too literary for what I'm in the mood to read during my virus lockdown. But I'll still recommend it to patrons who love these types of books!

In 2038, Jake (Jacinda) is mired in college debt, has a fondness for alcoholic drinks and is working as a guide on an exclusive forest preserve island off the coast of British Columbia. The world is being destroyed by the “withering” and most of the US is covered in dust. When she discovers she may own the island, the story moves to the past and the legacy various people brought to that pristine forest. Going back to 1908, the reader discovers how one misguided action impacts the future. Published in Canada last year, it was nominated for several prizes. Its clear from the author’s descriptions he loves the forest. Layer by layer, just as in a forest, actions impact the future.