Emily Woof: The Lightning Tree
The second novel from Emily Woof is a study in subtlety. She weaves her story across continents and through generations to create what becomes a surprising, and at times beautiful, novel.
As a reader the plot creeps up on you, until suddenly it is impossible to put down; pages flick rapidly over like leaves lost to a gale.
The Lightning Tree is a story of growing up, growing apart, and growing together again.
Jerry and Ursula first meet as children and would be absolutely perfect for each other, if only life didn't get in the way. Their initial courtship leads them to the first great crossroad in life, which takes them in completely opposite directions; Ursula to India to teach and travel, Jerry to Oxford to 'highlight the absurdity of privilege' and forge a career in politics.
Returning from India, Ursula is changed, and the change is obvious and heart-breaking to everyone around her. Despite their concerns, no one understands what she has been through and seen, but do the answers lie in her family history? We learn more about this history through the novels third main character, Ganny Mary.
Through Mary we learn more about her family background and the experiences that turned her into the hopeless, argumentative old woman who inhabits the shadows of Ursula's family home, waiting to shout abuse or accusations at Peter, Joyce, Ursula, or even Jerry.
In many ways Mary is the central point around which the majority of the story grows. We see the contrast between the hope and lust for life of young Ursula and Jerry, and the hopeless hate filled existence of Mary. However, we learn more about Mary and what has made her this way, while at the same time we see Ursula and Jerry grow as individuals as they learn more about the world and how it can affect people and relationships.
At times the prose is mismatched and sees Woof use some unnecessary imagery: "I long to communicate love to you. These pages are so dry, the flat of your reading device so cold!". Despite this she manages to create and build the foundation of Ursula and Jerry; what they mean to each other, and how their personalities work, both together and apart.
The Lightning Tree is a good novel, nothing more nothing less, however it signals promise for Woof's future as a writer, if that is the future this author/actress/mother chooses.
3/5
