Items related to The Paradise Tree
The year is 1886 in Leeds County, Ontario. The O’Connor clan is gathering to mourn the loss of its patriarch Daniel O’Connor, an Irish immigrant. The story of Daniel and his wife Brigit is one of great hardships, including illness, ill-starred romances, war and political upheavals, as well as undying love and persevering faith. As Daniel is laid to rest, his grandson Fergus receives a piercing insight into what his own calling in life will be.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Author:
The Paradise Tree is a novel in which the characters are constantly faced with the mysteries of life, death, love, redemption and eternity. Eternity was something that Daniel O'Connor kept ever before him, as was typical of the old Irish. For my extended family, Long Point has had an aura of mystery for generations. I hope through this novel to create a living portrait of the old homestead and of those who dwelt there.
From the Back Cover:
The Paradise Tree is a novel in which the characters are constantly faced with the mysteries of life, death, love, redemption and eternity. Eternity was something that Daniel O'Connor kept ever before him, as was typical of the old Irish. For my extended family, Long Point has had an aura of mystery for generations. I hope through this novel to create a living portrait of the old homestead and of those who dwelt there.
"This is a beautiful book. It follows Daniel O'Connor as he grows up in Ireland, moves to Canada to pursue fortune and freedom, starts a family, and grows old surrounded by those who love him.
Taking place in the nineteenth century, the story covers a period of political and religious unrest in Ireland, creating very exciting early chapters. There is a lot of tension, as the main characters must hide their traditions while still facing systemic prejudice for their beliefs. Vidal firmly establishes Daniel's love for his family and makes his family feel warm and welcoming. This makes the scene where Daniel decides to leave extremely painful, even as the political history justifies his decision. The entire book is full of these moments, where you sympathize with the characters while wishing they could act differently. It makes for a very human story.
What takes The Paradise Tree to another level, however, is the way that Vidal brings the settings to life. I can so vividly picture the O'Connor Christmas celebration in their small cabin in the Canadian forest that it feels like I was in the room with them. Vidal has a way of describing only the most important aspects of a scene but of describing them in such a way that the whole thing comes to life. It is fascinating.
This precision of focus works for the overarching story as well. Parts of Daniel's life are glossed over entirely while others are narrated in rich detail. The parts that Vidal focuses on, however, are the exact parts that are most important. Learning how to be a doctor must have been interesting, but it isn't nearly as important as meeting your wife. Vidal emphasizes the moments of connection, of family, and, in so doing, creates a very personal story. It feels like we know the characters as friends rather than acquaintances. This is a stunningly lovely book, the perfect thing to get lost in for an afternoon." ~from the San Francisco Book Review (starred review)
"The Paradise Tree does what good novels should. It tells us a story, it shows us what it means to be human--replete with the triumphs, sadness, and conflicts entailed in being human--while whisking us away to another world that is not our own." ~The Portland Book Review
Taking place in the nineteenth century, the story covers a period of political and religious unrest in Ireland, creating very exciting early chapters. There is a lot of tension, as the main characters must hide their traditions while still facing systemic prejudice for their beliefs. Vidal firmly establishes Daniel's love for his family and makes his family feel warm and welcoming. This makes the scene where Daniel decides to leave extremely painful, even as the political history justifies his decision. The entire book is full of these moments, where you sympathize with the characters while wishing they could act differently. It makes for a very human story.
What takes The Paradise Tree to another level, however, is the way that Vidal brings the settings to life. I can so vividly picture the O'Connor Christmas celebration in their small cabin in the Canadian forest that it feels like I was in the room with them. Vidal has a way of describing only the most important aspects of a scene but of describing them in such a way that the whole thing comes to life. It is fascinating.
This precision of focus works for the overarching story as well. Parts of Daniel's life are glossed over entirely while others are narrated in rich detail. The parts that Vidal focuses on, however, are the exact parts that are most important. Learning how to be a doctor must have been interesting, but it isn't nearly as important as meeting your wife. Vidal emphasizes the moments of connection, of family, and, in so doing, creates a very personal story. It feels like we know the characters as friends rather than acquaintances. This is a stunningly lovely book, the perfect thing to get lost in for an afternoon." ~from the San Francisco Book Review (starred review)
"The Paradise Tree does what good novels should. It tells us a story, it shows us what it means to be human--replete with the triumphs, sadness, and conflicts entailed in being human--while whisking us away to another world that is not our own." ~The Portland Book Review
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCreatespace Independent Pub
- Publication date2014
- ISBN 10 150065602X
- ISBN 13 9781500656027
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number2
- Number of pages252
- Rating
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