The Red Tree

by: Caitlin R. Kiernan

Published by: ROC

Reviewed by Alex McGilvery

The Red Tree by Caitlin R. Kiernan is the story of Sarah Crowe’s last summer living in a rented house near an immense oak tree. She is haunted by this tree, and becomes fascinated by a manuscript she finds in the house that describes the history and folklore surrounding the tree.

Sarah is an embittered writer who scorns her own books and is fleeing the death by suicide of her lover Amanda. In the midst of this atmosphere of anger, guilt and fear, Constance Hopkins arrives. She is a painter who has rented the attic of the old house. She both provides a steadying influence for Sarah, and pushes her in unexpected directions.

The Red Tree is written as the journal kept by Sarah through the course of the summer. There are several layers of fictional veracity as we read her editor’s preface and are given footnotes to further explain some aspects of the situation. There are also lengthy quotes from the earlier manuscript that Sarah finds. Some clever use of typography sets these sections apart and makes them look like the output from an old typewriter. The character of Sarah herself is well developed. Though the journal form can skew the characterization, Sarah has little trouble mocking herself and revealing her darker side.

I am not a great fan of the journal novel. I found the editorial comments and some of the entries themselves to be forced. It is also easy to lose track of which level of “reality” I am reading at. Having said that, The Red Tree did keep my interest. It is well written and conceived. As I mentioned earlier the typography does help in keeping track of what is happening and who is writing it.

I did find myself scratching my head at the end of the book, but for those people who enjoy the journey rather than the ending, this book is an interesting read.

Armchair Interview agrees.

Author’s Web site: http://www.CaitlinRKiernan.com