Watching The Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth
***Please note, this novel dealt with a very graphic subject matter. As usual, I’m posting an honest review, but, be prepared for the details that I’ll be discussing about this story. SPOILER ALERT – I couldn’t talk about this story without giving vivid details regarding what happened.
Nine-year-old Mara has always wondered who she was and where she came from. Raised by two aunts (Nanny Lynn and Elma), her life has been a strange pattern of unanswered questions. When her Aunt Nanny Lynn dies, she’s suddenly thrust into the southern town of Burl with her Aunt Elma.
In Burl, Mara’s life turns extremely traumatic when she’s raped by a red-headed teenaged bully named General. She’s raped for nine days – General threatens to kill her (and her aunt) if she tells a soul about the rape. When her disinterested Aunt Elma suddenly dies, Mara automatically thinks General has killed her aunt and she struggles with the guilt, remaining silent about what she’s endured. Mara makes a friend in Burl, Camilla. Camilla brings a slice of sunshine into Mara’s dreary life, making rhymes, trying to make Mara smile.
After Elma’s death, Mara is sent to live with the mysterious Mr. Winningham. Who is he? He’s the town’s richest man, but, is he her father, or her grandfather? Is he a relative? Due to Mara’s mischief, Mr. Winningham forbids Elma from seeing her friend Camilla any longer. Alone, Mara finds friendship and kindness with Zady, Mr. Winningham’s maid. Zady takes Mara under her wing, taking her to church, teaching her about faith. Mara gets to know Zady’s family as she continues to struggle with her unknown background. She asks questions – questions that initially glean few answers.
While living with Mr. Winningham, Mara has to go to an all-black school since she’s now living in a different district and through limited communication with Camilla and a secret radio announcer named Denim, she struggles to find the missing pieces of her tattered life.
This is probably one of the best books I’ve read all year. Granted, seeing Mara getting raped nine times was extremely disturbing – rape to a child is a hurt that affects the core of your soul, making you feel for the character, desperately wanting the crime to stop. The town of Burl in the seventies also brings life to this book. Most of the adults in this book seemed crazy to me – a bit touched in the head. Most appeared to have such deep issues, issues that made you wonder what else was going on in this town besides what was happening in this novel.
It was also interesting to see Mara, the only white person, as part of an all-black community when she moves in with Mr. Winningham. When she goes to church with Zada, she’s the only white person, and when she goes to school, she’s the only white person in the entire school. In spite of her color difference, she fits into the black community easily, making friends that help her get through her dark days.
This book was definitely a page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. Overall, a great read, but, the subject matter was disturbing, causing this story to stay in your mind for a long time.
~Cecelia Dowdy~
I was interested in the things that bothered you about this story. The story sounds very close to the Amish and Mennonite beliefs that I have read many times. You said the “vow” part of the story was puzzling to you, but if you look at it—when we marry, we make a vow to each other. The Bible talks about Christ and His bride (the Church), so wouldn’t this be similar to a wedding vow when you make a vow with the Church? I personally don’t believe in the Amish religious beliefs, or at least some of them, but I do admire their loyalty and willingness to work together and care for each other. I agree that it seems some of the AMish beliefs seem to be compromised by a rationalization. But all of this did make you think about the story and the different ways of life. Just sayin’!!
Hey, Judy (and anybody else reading Judy’s comment). I believe Judy’s comment is for The Scent of Cherry Blossoms, not Mary Demuth’s book. I just didn’t want anybody to be confused since the comment was left on the wrong blog post – yeah, I can understand how that can happen ’cause I’ve done that myself a few times!
Yes, Judy, I understand the vow to one another in marriage. I even understand the vow you’re making to God – but, the Amish/Mennonite church vow is puzzling because it consists of “rules” that are not outlined in the Bible, at all. It’s made-up rules by men that “determine” a person’s salvation – I think that’s the part that bothers me a lot. Plus, the fact that if this vow is broken, you’re doomed to hell – there’s no forgiveness, that doesn’t sound right to be. Plus, there are loopholes around these rules that just sound strange – Aden’s family can “safely” use electricity if they have a Mennonite business partner – but, if the Mennonite business partner severs their business relationship, then, they’ll no longer be able to use the electricity and they’ll be ousted from the church if they continue to use the electricity without their Mennonite partner – when that happens, then they’re going to hell for breaking their unbiblical church vow?
I’ve read several Amish/Mennonite stories that I’ve enjoyed, but if you read through my reviews, there are some that bother me with their beliefs, but, I do enjoy reading the stories, if that makes any sense. I’ve even recommended Amish authors to others because not all of the books show the negative side of the beliefs.
Yeah, I get your point though. The book does make me think about the Amish way of life! I’ll invite you to look through my blog. I researched the Amish faith a great deal! Just click on the Amish and Plain category for my blog posts to see others…
I have to agree with you on your points. I was more or less playing “the devils advocate” (I hate that term), but as beautiful as the Amish life sounds, it is a harsh and unforgiving community, I agree. That is not Christ like. But I don’t believe that they all read the Bible as we do. I believe that even some of them are more or less forbidden to read it on their own but get the Biblical info from a Bishop/Deacon and some of them, only the Father of the family can read it. It is very different then what we Christians believe. And it does seem that there is rationalization on what they can have/do from the Modern world. However, for the most part, the stories are clean, sound refreshing most of the time—makes me wish I could live the beautiful parts of their lives, but not the serious and harsh parts. Much in their lives are lacking forgiveness and I don’t understand how there can be such supposedly loving communities when they must be afraid of doing something that they won’t be forgiven for.I read one book where the Mother read the Bible on the sly, and wanted to forgive her daughter so badly, but they do not believe anyone can claim forgiveness because they think that is taking God for granted and that it destroys our humility. Wish we could share the joy with them.
I would be very interested in your research, thank you.
PS: I’m new to blogging and don’t know which header to click on to leave a blog under the proper heading. Any hints are welcome.
Yours is the only blog I am on presently.
Judi, to leave a comment on the proper blog post on my blog, simply click on the Leave A Comment Box located at the BOTTOM of the blog post that you want to comment on. I hope that’s clear. I realize with the location of the comment box, it’s hard to determine if the comment should be left for the blog post on top of the box, or on the blog post below it.
Yes, I’ve heard about most of what you pointed out in your comment about the Amish/Mennonite beliefs. Do you ever watch National Geographic? On the National Geographic channel, they recently had a special on about the Amish. It was a weekly program about this guy who left the Amish and each week the show aired an aspect of Amish life. One show even outlined how this 16-year-old girl wanted to JOIN the Amish!
Anyway, the man who was doing the show, an ex-Amishman, he outlined the unforgiving/cruel ways of the Amish. He left the faith and he received letters from some of his Amish friends and family, stating he was going to hell. He ran an ex-Amish community/support group for those who left. One guy in this community was really young, only around 19, and he was in a bad accident. He almost died. They called his Amish family, but, they refused to come because he’d been shunned – to his family, he was already dead and doomed to hell.
The guy who hosted this Amish show also outlined how a lot of the ex-Amish need support and help because most are uneducated – they only go to school until the 8th grade. Plus, most don’t know how to drive a car, either. They need to find a means to support themselves, and that’s why he started his support group.
The series was interesting. It aired over a month’s time, I believe it was back in April or May. I watched all of the episodes.
I think I feel so strongly about the Amish/Mennonite beliefs because some of what they do, with the shunning and unforgiving, reminds me of the way the Jehovah’s Witnesses are. I was raised JW and some of the Amish/Mennonite ways remind me of what the JWs do – they allow the higher-ups/elders to decide who is ‘saved’ based upon their actions. In JW religion, if you are shunned, you’re doomed – meaning, you won’t be able to enjoy eternal life on Paradise Earth unless you rejoin their fold.
This discussion gives me an idea for one of my Sunday brunch blog posts!