As the weather begins to turn cold and the warmth of our homes more enticing, it’s time to stock up on reading material that will allow you to enjoy the outdoors without having to bundle up to brave the icy Storrs Wind! In this (first ever) book review to hit the JT blog, we review The Overstory, by Richard Powers.
Recently, I made the daring trek to visit family in Florida and in desperation for normalcy found myself enjoying a longtime favorite airport activity: exploring the bookstore! Little did I know that the book that would catch my eye (twice!) would also change my life. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, the spiraling redwoods that dwarf human existence is an apt introduction to this truly humbling work of environmental fiction. Powers weaves the lives of six humans into this masterpiece merely as a melody to follow as you experience the full orchestral magnitude of the gift that is Trees. Follow not the human life, but the life giving Douglas Fir, the resilient Chestnut, the future-promising Mulberry. This novel will leave you filled with gratitude, empathy and renewed appreciation for the great providers who were here before us and will be here after we are long gone.
As I experienced this novel, because the term ‘reading’ feels inadequate, I found myself reflecting on the trees that have made an impact on my own life: the maple with branches low enough for a 7 year old to reach and climb, the oak that showcased the weakness of man made structures, the knotted pine used as a peaceful resting place for beloved animal friends, and the list goes on….We at Joshua’s Trust would love to hear about the impact trees have had on your life or of any special trees you’ve encountered on our properties. Comment below or send your stories to administration@joshuastrust.org.
~ Joyce Fountain