The Forgetting Tree

By: Tatjana Soli

Narrated by: Joyce Bean

When Claire Nagy marries Forster Baumsarg, the only son of prominent California citrus ranchers, she knows she's consenting to a life of hard work, long days, and worry-fraught nights. But her love for Forster is so strong, she turns away from her literary education and embraces the life of the ranch, succumbing to its intoxicating rhythms and bounty until her love of the land becomes a part of her. Not even the tragic, senseless death of her son Joshua at kidnappers' hands, her alienation from her two daughters, or the dissolution of her once-devoted marriage can pull her from the ranch she's devoted her life to preserving.

But despite having survived the most terrible of tragedies, Claire is about to face her greatest struggle: an illness that threatens not only to rip her from her land but take her very life. And she's chosen a caregiver, the inscrutable, Caribbean-born Minna, who may just be the darkest force of all.

Haunting, tough, triumphant, and profound, The Forgetting Tree explores the intimate ties we have to one another, the deepest fears we keep to ourselves, and the calling of the land that ties every one of us together.

©2012 Tatjana Soli (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Soli writes with such passion, it is inescapable, lyrical, and profoundly moving. The Forgetting Tree goes on my top-ten list." (Jonis Agee, author of The River Wife)

Twists and turns you would never expect

When I first started listening it seemed it would be a sweet story, a trauma in the beginning but then a happy ending. The ending is still heartwarming, but the turns of this story were completely unexpected, I cried, I was completely shocked, even angry. A Union of darkness and light. I keep trying to understand the authors thoughts and inspiration for such a story. Both fiction and full of harsh realities of the world. I couldn’t recommend a book more.

What a terrible disappointment

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I do not know who would enjoy this book. The story was unorganized, boring, and slow.

Has The Forgetting Tree turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

How could the performance have been better?

There needed to have been a story line. The author seemed to have just focused on random thoughts she tried to tie together through the lives of 2 characters.

What character would you cut from The Forgetting Tree?

Ha. All of them

Any additional comments?

I am sorry I wasted an audible.com credit and my time.

A Must Read

this storyline will make u think about life and get you out of yours.... a must read... it took 2 days that's how good it was...

A Big Disappointment!

What disappointed you about The Forgetting Tree?

The story is depressing without any redeeming value --- I stopped listening after trying to stick with it for several hours. In addition the reader's voice is whiny and she doesn't pause at all when a new chapter starts. Irritating! . I hated this book!

Would you ever listen to anything by Tatjana Soli again?

I loved the Lotus Eaters -- a great book! So I might try her again, but will definitely not finish this one.

What didn’t you like about Joyce Bean’s performance?

Voice was whiny and depressing -- it matched the story. No pauses for the beginning of a new part or a new chapter. She just rushed right on -- confusing.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Forgetting Tree?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

I bought this book without reading the reviews because I loved the Lotus Eaters. I thought I had found a new author to stick with. I wish I had read the reviews before I purchased the book --- then I would not have purchased it.