I've just finished reading this one with my book club and came to TH-cam looking for some more analysis. so pleased to find you've read this one as I love hearing your thoughts!
Thank you for this fantastic video about this really outstanding book! I rarely reread a book, but I'm going to reread this one, as I think it's a masterpiece!
Hey Sean, thanks for such an excellent summary and analysis of the book. Having just finished reading it, once again, I'm so grateful to be able to come to your channel to get your thoughts on it. You're so right about how the story utilises this structure of pulp detective fiction with a balance between grimness and humour to describe the legacy of lynching. Much of the dialogue is so funny but also details such as a funeral home that used to be a DQ and gum getting stuck in Trump's hair. And that imitation of a Trump speech near the end is spot on and hilarious/horrifyingly true! It also feels like the dialogue functions in the way of a documentary in how people speaking often unintentionally reveal so much more about themselves and their beliefs in not just what they say but how they say it. And I admired and enjoyed the sense of camaraderie shown between Jim and Ed. Really helpful to get your references to other fiction and the nonfiction which relates to the major themes of the book and I'm looking forward to listening to the interview so thank you for the link.
Hey Eric, thanks so much! I'm glad you read and appreciated The Trees. Really good point about the dialogue - Everett writes some of the funniest and smartest dialogue that I've ever read and you're right that it often feels like the characters are accidentally telling on themselves or inadvertently revealing something about themselves in it. So brilliant. And another good point about Jim and Ed's friendship. "Buddy cops" is an overdone trope, I think, but I also found this friendship to be super well-wrought. Thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughts!
Percival Everett is a genius because he was able to make something so tragic be connnected to a a dark type of comedy. Who is your favorite character and why ?
Tusen takk, Silje! Seeing your comment reminded me that I should have mentiomed Sebald as one of those writers who do a lot of that "archival" work I mentioned! I hope you're having a great weekend.
Sold me on it. I didn't realise this had come out as "Telephone" was just published here in the UK earlier this year. I've read 5 other of his books and they're all good
I'm looking forward to reading more of his books - he has a massive back catalogue that I need to get to. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Trees! Thanks for watching.
I read this book based on your recommendation (without watching the video) & had no idea what I was getting myself in for… what an awesome ride! So fun and great to hear your thoughts on the book. Thanks for sharing 🤓
Adding this to my list. It sounds thematically similar to _The Only Good Indians_ which I am reading right now. The Legacy Museum (EJI) had/ has an interactive lynching map.
Absolutely! It has some of those horror/thriller elements as well, though perhaps not quite as much as SGJ. The Legacy Museum sounds interesting (and devastating...). Everett spoke a lot in that interview with Between the Covers about how we should view this awful history as a US problem rather than just a "South" problem, as lynchings were unfortunately common beyond the South as well. I can imagine that that map bears this out - I'll check it out.
@@travelthroughstories I hope you’re following Marc Nash’s channel btw! He’s very big into fiction that’s unconventional in many ways, but certainly in structure.
i really enjoyed this one, the pacing was great. many short chapters and you always want to read just one more. it was a little short, but that's part of the charm i guess.
Just finished it. Wow. I love seemingly simple stories that are about the grotesque nature of men. Like Coetzee’s Disgrace. Thanks for this, will listen to podcast.
For me, this is the first mention of Percival Everett through book-tube. Trees sounds like an interesting novel. I´d like to read Watershed and Erasure.
Very late to the party here, but this was the last book I read from last years Booker Prize nominees and in my opinion this should have walked away with it. The part where the names were written down is one of the biggest gut punches I’ve had from a book in a long while.
Thank you for another amazing review and recommendation! I'll have to get this one soon (starting October Child today). Maybe 2022 is the time for a bookclub 🤔😬
@@travelthroughstories I finished it a few days ago and I still feel like I'm still floating through her memories. It was so beautiful. I started The Copenhagen Trilogy and it's interesting how they're almost talking to each other. (I'm getting mentally prepared for the third section). Have you read it?
@@yahaira_f "Floating through her memories," is such a beautiful way of putting the experience of reading her book! The connection to Ditlevsen is really interesting and one that I don't think I've fully considered, but you're absolutely right! I have read it (and adored it!) and made a video on it, though I'm not sure the quality of that video as it was one of my earliest one.... I'm really glad you enjoyed October Child though!! I still need/want to read more of her fiction.
Fantastic review. Everett is wildly under-read. We just did an episode on Percival Everett by Virgil Russell and it's absolutely one of books of the year for me.
Thank you! You've definitely piqued my interested in Percival Everett by Virgil Russell. That's going to be the next of his that I pick up, especially after listening to your podcast episode on it. One of you said at the end of the episode that reading that one made you want to immediately read everything by Everett - The Trees made me feel a similar way. He has a wonderful writing style and I can't wait to read more of him.
@@travelthroughstories From what I can tell Everett is very eclectic style wise so maybe that makes his work more hit or miss but definitely let us know what you think if/when you get to it! Glad you were able to check out the episode!
CNN - Carolyn Bryant Donham, the White woman whose accusation led to the 1955 lynching of Black teen Emmett Till in Mississippi - and whose role in the brutal death was reconsidered by a grand jury as recently as last year - has died in Louisiana, the Calcasieu Parish coroner’s office confirmed to CNN. Donham, 88, died Tuesday in Westlake, according to a fact of death letter from the coroner.
Impressive write-up, or should I say speak-up? I like the flashing of that 11-pound Primo Levi too lol. I want to read Everett but I'm not big on detective types of fiction. I'm wondering what book of his would be best for me....
Thank you! And yeah, I had to flex the new Levi after being peer pressured by Twitter into getting it. Haha. I keep hearing a lot of good things about his PERCIVAL EVERETT BY VIRGIL RUSSELL. I think that's his most critically acclaimed and it, apparently, has lots of stories nested in stories, so maybe that one? I'm definitely reading that one next.
Hello. I'm having trouble with a book you mention in this video. I found this channel while looking for a review of Percival Everett's, Erasure. I have not yet read The Trees (it's on hold for me at the library), and I didn't watch most of this video because it contains spoilers. But, I see that in your review of The Trees, you make several references to Sing Unburied Sing, which I decided to read because you referenced it here. I'm having some trouble with this book, and I'm having trouble figuring out how you could be referencing it in a review of a Percival Everett book. To me, Salvage the Bones, and Sing Unburied Sing - and their both winning the National Book Award - are exactly the type of books Everett is criticizing with Erasure. Maybe once I've also read The Trees, it will all make sense. Since you are a lit teacher, I'm hoping you could help me figure a few things out. Please reach out to me. I would love to chat.
I haven't yet read Erasure, so I'm not sure what exactly he criticizes nor if Jesmyn Ward would be among those criticized. The reason I bring up Ward's Sing, Unburied, Sing here has more to with the shared regionalism of Mississippi in these two books and how they both invite a kind of ecological reading of their books through their repeated references to trees (which, of course, also point to the Billie Holiday song). There is also a lot of what Toni Morrison calls "rememory" in both that I thought was interesting and worth pointing out as both books (though especially The Trees) have a kind of archival side to them. It looks like I'll need to read Erasure though. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while, so perhaps I'll pick it up soon and get back to you if I do. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
@@travelthroughstories Ok. I've finished both Sing Unburied and The Trees, now. I hate say this after hearing that you actually teach it, but I think Sing Unburied is absolutely terrible - just a laughably, poorly written book. One of the top five worst books I've read this year. And, since we know that Everett is the kind of author that will write a whole book to troll other authors (this is what he does in Erasure - please read it), I'm fairly convinced that he wrote The Trees specifically to troll Sing Unburied. In my opinion, everything Ward tries to do with Sing, Everett actually does with The Trees. The parallels are too many to be coincidental. (I actually emailed Everett and asked him about this. I'm not expecting a reply though). Check out Erasure and notice how "My Pafology" is Salvage the Bones. Then, from that perspective, compare how differently Everett handles the large number of similar details between The Trees, and Sing Unburied Sing. (I mean, he even throws in a meth lab reference and a reference to crows. The way I see them, the meth lab reference is offered just in passing and never brought up again, because he is pointing pointing out what a useless waste of time the whole meth side plot - which contributes nothing to the story - is in Sing. And the crow reference is Everett mocking Ward's attempt to awkwardly cram native american symbolism into her book (and it specifically points to the books cover)). I could go on and on. I'd love to discuss it sometime. Thanks.
I've just finished reading this one with my book club and came to TH-cam looking for some more analysis. so pleased to find you've read this one as I love hearing your thoughts!
Thank you for this fantastic video about this really outstanding book! I rarely reread a book, but I'm going to reread this one, as I think it's a masterpiece!
Hey Sean, thanks for such an excellent summary and analysis of the book. Having just finished reading it, once again, I'm so grateful to be able to come to your channel to get your thoughts on it. You're so right about how the story utilises this structure of pulp detective fiction with a balance between grimness and humour to describe the legacy of lynching. Much of the dialogue is so funny but also details such as a funeral home that used to be a DQ and gum getting stuck in Trump's hair. And that imitation of a Trump speech near the end is spot on and hilarious/horrifyingly true! It also feels like the dialogue functions in the way of a documentary in how people speaking often unintentionally reveal so much more about themselves and their beliefs in not just what they say but how they say it. And I admired and enjoyed the sense of camaraderie shown between Jim and Ed. Really helpful to get your references to other fiction and the nonfiction which relates to the major themes of the book and I'm looking forward to listening to the interview so thank you for the link.
Hey Eric, thanks so much! I'm glad you read and appreciated The Trees. Really good point about the dialogue - Everett writes some of the funniest and smartest dialogue that I've ever read and you're right that it often feels like the characters are accidentally telling on themselves or inadvertently revealing something about themselves in it. So brilliant. And another good point about Jim and Ed's friendship. "Buddy cops" is an overdone trope, I think, but I also found this friendship to be super well-wrought. Thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughts!
Percival Everett is a genius because he was able to make something so tragic be connnected to a a dark type of comedy. Who is your favorite character and why ?
I just finished reading this. OH MY GOD. It crescendoes until the final word.
Such an amazing review, Sean, adding it to my list of books to check out.
Have a lovely weekend 😃
Tusen takk, Silje! Seeing your comment reminded me that I should have mentiomed Sebald as one of those writers who do a lot of that "archival" work I mentioned! I hope you're having a great weekend.
Sold me on it. I didn't realise this had come out as "Telephone" was just published here in the UK earlier this year. I've read 5 other of his books and they're all good
I'm looking forward to reading more of his books - he has a massive back catalogue that I need to get to. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Trees! Thanks for watching.
His books are for betas by betas
I read this book based on your recommendation (without watching the video) & had no idea what I was getting myself in for… what an awesome ride! So fun and great to hear your thoughts on the book. Thanks for sharing 🤓
That's so great to hear! I'm really glad you enjoyed it - it's such an incredible book. Thanks for watching!!
Adding this to my list. It sounds thematically similar to _The Only Good Indians_ which I am reading right now.
The Legacy Museum (EJI) had/ has an interactive lynching map.
Absolutely! It has some of those horror/thriller elements as well, though perhaps not quite as much as SGJ. The Legacy Museum sounds interesting (and devastating...). Everett spoke a lot in that interview with Between the Covers about how we should view this awful history as a US problem rather than just a "South" problem, as lynchings were unfortunately common beyond the South as well. I can imagine that that map bears this out - I'll check it out.
Wow, this is right up my alley lol Going to the library Monday too. PEeerrfect.
That sounds great! I hope to hear your thoughts on it!!
@@travelthroughstories I hope you’re following Marc Nash’s channel btw! He’s very big into fiction that’s unconventional in many ways, but certainly in structure.
@@SpringboardThought I've heard of his channel but never watched - I'll check him out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Just finished it this morning...highly recommend this one for sure.
It's so, so good!
i really enjoyed this one, the pacing was great. many short chapters and you always want to read just one more. it was a little short, but that's part of the charm i guess.
Just finished it. Wow. I love seemingly simple stories that are about the grotesque nature of men. Like Coetzee’s Disgrace. Thanks for this, will listen to podcast.
Thanks for watching!
This sounds fantastic, loved your review!
Thanks so much! It's a fantastic book.
For me, this is the first mention of Percival Everett through book-tube. Trees sounds like an interesting novel. I´d like to read Watershed and Erasure.
I'm glad I could bring some discussion of Percival Everett's books to booktube! I also really want to read those works as well.
Very late to the party here, but this was the last book I read from last years Booker Prize nominees and in my opinion this should have walked away with it. The part where the names were written down is one of the biggest gut punches I’ve had from a book in a long while.
Excellent review
Wow! He’s so smart. ❤
Thank you for another amazing review and recommendation! I'll have to get this one soon (starting October Child today). Maybe 2022 is the time for a bookclub 🤔😬
Thanks so much!! Ohh, I hope you love October Child - I still think about that book all the time. I'd be interested in a bookclub!
@@travelthroughstories I finished it a few days ago and I still feel like I'm still floating through her memories. It was so beautiful. I started The Copenhagen Trilogy and it's interesting how they're almost talking to each other. (I'm getting mentally prepared for the third section). Have you read it?
@@yahaira_f "Floating through her memories," is such a beautiful way of putting the experience of reading her book! The connection to Ditlevsen is really interesting and one that I don't think I've fully considered, but you're absolutely right!
I have read it (and adored it!) and made a video on it, though I'm not sure the quality of that video as it was one of my earliest one.... I'm really glad you enjoyed October Child though!! I still need/want to read more of her fiction.
@@travelthroughstories I definitely want to read her other books now too, so thanks again for that book recommendation! Why isn't everyone reading it?
@@yahaira_f My thoughts exactly - I have no idea!!
Fantastic review. Everett is wildly under-read. We just did an episode on Percival Everett by Virgil Russell and it's absolutely one of books of the year for me.
Thank you! You've definitely piqued my interested in Percival Everett by Virgil Russell. That's going to be the next of his that I pick up, especially after listening to your podcast episode on it.
One of you said at the end of the episode that reading that one made you want to immediately read everything by Everett - The Trees made me feel a similar way. He has a wonderful writing style and I can't wait to read more of him.
@@travelthroughstories From what I can tell Everett is very eclectic style wise so maybe that makes his work more hit or miss but definitely let us know what you think if/when you get to it! Glad you were able to check out the episode!
such a powerful book
CNN -
Carolyn Bryant Donham, the White woman whose accusation led to the 1955 lynching of Black teen Emmett Till in Mississippi - and whose role in the brutal death was reconsidered by a grand jury as recently as last year - has died in Louisiana, the Calcasieu Parish coroner’s office confirmed to CNN.
Donham, 88, died Tuesday in Westlake, according to a fact of death letter from the coroner.
Impressive write-up, or should I say speak-up?
I like the flashing of that 11-pound Primo Levi too lol.
I want to read Everett but I'm not big on detective types of fiction. I'm wondering what book of his would be best for me....
Thank you! And yeah, I had to flex the new Levi after being peer pressured by Twitter into getting it. Haha. I keep hearing a lot of good things about his PERCIVAL EVERETT BY VIRGIL RUSSELL. I think that's his most critically acclaimed and it, apparently, has lots of stories nested in stories, so maybe that one? I'm definitely reading that one next.
@@travelthroughstories That sounds good. I'll check it out. Thanks!
Thanks, added to the list :)
You're welcome, Abhilash! Thanks for watching.
Hello. I'm having trouble with a book you mention in this video. I found this channel while looking for a review of Percival Everett's, Erasure. I have not yet read The Trees (it's on hold for me at the library), and I didn't watch most of this video because it contains spoilers. But, I see that in your review of The Trees, you make several references to Sing Unburied Sing, which I decided to read because you referenced it here. I'm having some trouble with this book, and I'm having trouble figuring out how you could be referencing it in a review of a Percival Everett book. To me, Salvage the Bones, and Sing Unburied Sing - and their both winning the National Book Award - are exactly the type of books Everett is criticizing with Erasure. Maybe once I've also read The Trees, it will all make sense. Since you are a lit teacher, I'm hoping you could help me figure a few things out. Please reach out to me. I would love to chat.
I haven't yet read Erasure, so I'm not sure what exactly he criticizes nor if Jesmyn Ward would be among those criticized. The reason I bring up Ward's Sing, Unburied, Sing here has more to with the shared regionalism of Mississippi in these two books and how they both invite a kind of ecological reading of their books through their repeated references to trees (which, of course, also point to the Billie Holiday song). There is also a lot of what Toni Morrison calls "rememory" in both that I thought was interesting and worth pointing out as both books (though especially The Trees) have a kind of archival side to them.
It looks like I'll need to read Erasure though. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while, so perhaps I'll pick it up soon and get back to you if I do. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
@@travelthroughstories Ok. I've finished both Sing Unburied and The Trees, now. I hate say this after hearing that you actually teach it, but I think Sing Unburied is absolutely terrible - just a laughably, poorly written book. One of the top five worst books I've read this year. And, since we know that Everett is the kind of author that will write a whole book to troll other authors (this is what he does in Erasure - please read it), I'm fairly convinced that he wrote The Trees specifically to troll Sing Unburied. In my opinion, everything Ward tries to do with Sing, Everett actually does with The Trees. The parallels are too many to be coincidental. (I actually emailed Everett and asked him about this. I'm not expecting a reply though). Check out Erasure and notice how "My Pafology" is Salvage the Bones. Then, from that perspective, compare how differently Everett handles the large number of similar details between The Trees, and Sing Unburied Sing. (I mean, he even throws in a meth lab reference and a reference to crows. The way I see them, the meth lab reference is offered just in passing and never brought up again, because he is pointing pointing out what a useless waste of time the whole meth side plot - which contributes nothing to the story - is in Sing. And the crow reference is Everett mocking Ward's attempt to awkwardly cram native american symbolism into her book (and it specifically points to the books cover)). I could go on and on. I'd love to discuss it sometime. Thanks.