Review: The Faerie Tree by Jane Cable

Is there magic in memory? Is it magic to remember everything differently from the person who shared the time period with you? This is a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between two people, Robin and Izzie. They had been an item many years ago. Then Robin disappears. Then Izzie sees a bum that looks just like Robin after her husband dies. It's predictable in this one place, that bumping into Robin is the impetus for the rest of the book. 

Chapters alternate between the point of view of Robin and the point of view of Izzie. As the book goes on, it becomes clearer that their memories of what the time was like just before Robin disappeared is quite different. And it all starts on the day they visited the Faerie Tree. If you are expecting urban fantasy, this is not it. 

This book is different from most of my reads. The pace is slowish and thoughtful as each character examines what they remember from the time they were together. This is punctuated by spats, current memories, and life in general. 

I was unable to predict the ending for the most part beyond that they figure out whose memory of the past is more reliable.This is a good thing. I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending though. To tell you why, would mean spoilers. So, I will just say that there are unresolved issues with illness and with a sudden personality change. 

In general, if you like fiction about relationships that involve thoughtful examination of them, then this is a book for you. In some ways, the tone reminds me a little of Anne Tyler's writing. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for the quality of the writing. The pace of the book was a little slow in places, but overall it's a good book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday #79 - The Faerie Tree by Jane Cable

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Synopsis from publisher:

How can a memory so vivid be wrong?

I tried to remember the first time I’d been here and to see the tree through Izzie’s eyes. The oak stood on a rise just above the path; not too tall or wide but graceful and straight, its trunk covered in what I can only describe as offerings – pieces of ribbon, daisy chains, a shell necklace, a tiny doll or two and even an old cuckoo clock.

"Why do people do this?" Izzie asked.

I winked at her. "To say thank you to the fairies."

In the summer of 1986 Robin and Izzie hold hands under The Faerie Tree and wish for a future together. Within hours, tragedy rips their dreams apart.

In the winter of 2006, each carrying their own burden of grief, they stumble back into each other’s lives and try to create a second chance. But why are their memories of 1986 so different? And which one of them is right?

With strong themes of paganism, love and grief, The Faerie Tree is a novel as gripping and unputdownable as Jane Cable’s first book, The Cheesemaker’s House, which won the Suspense & Crime category of The Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition. It is a story that will resonate with fans of romance, suspense, and folklore.

Why am I interested in this mystery? The last line of the blurb gets it for me. I particularly like that it will resonate with fans of suspense and folklore. Generally speaking, it sounds like an interesting plot. And I am wanting to find out what happened in 1986, and what will happen now that they are back in the same place again.

What book are you waiting on this week? Leave it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy reading!