Nancy Chadwick's The Wisdom of the Willow is a beautifully crafted novel that intertwines personal growth with a profound exploration of nature's wisdom. Set against the backdrop of a quaint, picturesque village, the story follows Eleanor, a middle-aged woman seeking solace and purpose after a life-altering event. The titular willow tree becomes a symbol of healing and transformation, guiding Eleanor on her journey of self-discovery.

Chadwick's writing shines with lyrical prose and vivid descriptions that bring the natural world to life. The willow tree itself is almost a character in its own right, its presence adding depth and richness to the narrative. The author deftly explores themes of resilience, change, and the interconnectedness of all living things, making the novel both thought-provoking and inspiring.

What truly sets this book apart is its focus on the healing power of nature and the importance of embracing change. The characters are well-developed, and their growth throughout the story feels genuine and relatable. Eleanor's journey is both heartwarming and enlightening, offering readers valuable insights into the process of personal transformation.

However, while the novel is undeniably moving, some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in parts. The introspective nature of the narrative may not appeal to those looking for a more action-driven plot. Additionally, a few secondary characters could have been fleshed out further to enrich the overall story.

Overall, The Wisdom of the Willow is a touching and evocative read that will resonate with those who appreciate contemplative literature and the beauty of nature. Nancy Chadwick has crafted a poignant tale that encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and find solace in the natural world.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a thought provoking family story. The story is told in multiple POVs of each child and their mother. This really moved the story along quickly for me. This was a touching and hopeful story about family, loss and love. Good read

The Wisdom of The Willow written by Nancy Chadwick was one heart breaking story about family, love, forgiveness, healing, and loss. This book does have dual POV told by four daughters and their mother over the course of a year and their early lives. The only issue I had with this book was that I wanted to know more about the characters, it felt like their childhood was barely mentioned, instead it cut right to the chase of their young adult lives. I fell in love with the gorgeous cover and knew I had to get my hands on this book immediately, and I'm so glad I did because it was such a beautiful story, but also very gut wrenching. My heart needs to be repaired, the amount of times it shattered while reading this book was intense. I absolutely loved the first person narratives because it felt like I was right there experiencing these characters lives. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I smiled, I giggled, I felt hope, anger, sadness, happiness. In all honesty, it felt like my heart was being thrown around and I couldn't help but grip my kindle for dear life wondering when the secrets were going to be spilled. I can't recommend this book enough, it truly shows that not all families are perfect, some families have their flaws and it's a beautiful experience watching people overcome their obstacles.

THANK YOU TO NEGALLEY AND PR BY THE BOOK FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!

"There's nothing that can be done about this thing growing inside my head". "A tumor? You have a brain tumor, Ma?"

Margaret and Joe Dowling have bought their new house in the suburbs of Chicago where they plan to spend the rest of their lives and start a family. Margaret has always had an eye for any type of nature, whether it's flowers or trees, Margaret has always loved nature. When Joe and Margaret move into their new house, Joe plants a young willow tree as a symbol of belonging, growth, and home. As the years pass on, the willow tree becomes a place for Margaret to share life's wisdom with their four young daughters. Margaret and Joe's daughters go through different life experiences, but the willow tree is there for them to come back to when life gets too hard and they each need a moment to decompress. No matter what obstacles get thrown their ways, Margaret is the glue that keeps their family together. Years after leaving the nest and moving out, the Dowling daughters find themselves faced with changes that will define each of their lives and impact those close around them. Debra, the oldest is shattered when her husband asks for a divorce. Rose who is the second oldest has long hidden her true self, finally begins to reevaluate her pattern of being in uncommitted relationships. Linney the middle daughter fears losing Magnolia, the magical shop where she works that has changed her life for the best. Charlotte the youngest Dowling daughter is the only one who knows that Margaret is terminally ill and has been charged by Margaret to keep it a secret.

Despite their difficulties, Debra, Rose, Linney, and Charlotte are a group of strong independent women that deserve the world. Margaret is now faced with the greatest challenges and struggling with whether she has done enough to help her daughters find their ways in life, calls the whole family to the family home to reunite under the willow tree one last and finally time. My heart absolutely broke for Margaret when she would question her role as a mother, whether she was doing the best for her daughters, or is she was failing them completely. I wanted to reach into my kindle so many times and hug this group of women under the willow tree and just let them know that no matter what gets thrown their way, life will eventually be okay. The things Joe did for his family, just left the biggest smile on my face. I'm just so shocked how beautiful and heart breaking this book was at the exact same time, one single page had me laughing and crying at the same time. I can't recommend this book enough, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy immediately, it definitely won't disappoint, just keep the tissues on deck, because you will NEED them. You are all probably wondering the same exact thing I am, why do I do this to myself? Well, because I love books that mentally destroy me. Am I okay? Probably not.

"The Wisdom of the Willow" by Nancy Chadwick is a heartwarming novel that resonates with its gentle storytelling and poignant themes. The book explores the power of friendship, forgiveness, and resilience. Chadwick's prose is rich with emotion, and her characters are deeply relatable. A touching tale that reminds us of the strength found in community and the beauty of second chances.

I wanted to love it based on the synopsis but it is so poorly written that it was a trial to complete. Do not recommend.

The Wisdom of the Willow is a book that will take you along on the journey of the Dowling family. When Joe and Margaret buy a home in the suburbs of Chicago, Joe plants a young willow tree as a symbol of home, belonging, and growth. As the willow tree grew, so did the Dowling family. Under the willow tree was a special place for the family, where Margaret guided her daughters to discover who they truly were, and find their journey and follow it through. The girls are all different, and their journeys are different, but they still have the connections. The young willow tree was planted as a symbol of home, belonging, and growth, and as the girls grow and become who they are today, I can see their growth, where they belong and also, what home is to each of them.
After their mother passed away, they discovered, she was still guiding them, still reminding them of something that they might have forgotten. Having grown up with a willow tree, I could relate to this story, and it made it special. The journey of the willow tree and the family was comforting, and sitting under the willow tree was peaceful.
I received an ARC from She Writes Press through NetGalley.

The Wisdom of the Willow was an overall good read. I enjoyed getting to know the Dowling family. At times this novel read in a literary fiction type of way. The beauty of nature and our life-journey within it is highlighted. I felt many of the feels throughout this novel: hope, happiness, anger, sadness, and excitement. However, I also felt I wanted to know more about the characters; so much was sort of grazed over, and I would've been fine with a longer book, as long as I got to experience more of the big moments the characters experienced. I was also a bit surprised by the religious aspect that became more prevalent near the end of the book. Overall, this was a good, easy read.