Far From the Tree

Far From the Tree by Robin Renway

This is my kind of book. It tells the story of three adopted teenagers (Grace, Jaoquin, and Maya) who find each other when they need it the most -- which sounds kind of sappy, and is not what I mean when i say that this is my kind of book. What I loved about this story was the way it let me inside the minds and personalities of the characters. I think more than anything else what I look for in a book is some kind of insight into my fellow human beings. I have a hard time with that in real life; I don't know what makes people who are different me -- and most everyone is different than me -- tick. This book immerses you in the characters. You feel like you know them. This is particularly true when the author uses dramatic irony, which, my wife informs me, is when the author gives the reader more information than the characters. In those moments, you understand what the other character is going through, know how hard it is to be themselves at that particular time.

I will say that the book is more disappointing in fulfilling the other duty I hope a good work of fiction will fulfill, which is to illuminate something of the human condition. The subtitle of the novel -- What does it mean to be a family? -- largely goes unanswered. Or it is answered in a far too simplistic sense. Somehow, the characters are all experiencing some kind of crisis in their lives when they meet. And somehow, despite never knowing each other, the genetic draw between them is enough for them to become a rock-solid support group at this critical juncture. Of course, it never happens -- or, I guess, I can't imagine that it happens, since I myself was not adopted -- this neatly. Even worse, the characters all seem to reach some sort of resolution by the end of the book, which purports to take place in a short period of time. Perhaps resolution occurs in some lives, but it is not something I've experienced. When one problem is solved, others present themselves, either externally or, in most cases, from within. This is the nature of life; it doesn't stop. Nor should it. If you aren't challenging yourself, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, if you aren't discontented in some way -- what's the point? I guess?

Anyway, this is a great read. Perfect, no. But highly entertaining and worthwhile.