The Crying Tree: A Novel Audiobook

" Dealing with grief, a family struggles to put itself back together again. In this tale of forgiveness, comes a story with a killer twist that sets this family on a path with uncertain outcomes. Highly recommended! "

" This book will take you on a journey of the soul. Life will somehow be different after you read this book. "

" Found this book lacked credibility, was depressing and moralistic. "

" Just way too sad... But well-written and pretty enjoyable. :) "

" a long, wide, ranging story, spanning 20 years. i wasn't that into it, until half way through. it got to be a very emotional story, with a very surprising twist at the end. "

" It was a good read. It deals with a murder, the death penalty and a mother's love for her son. "

" 15 year old Shep is shot and killed in an apparent robbery, and the story appears to be how the family copes; but things are not as they appear and many secrets have been kept. The family must face the truth and come to terms with their past. "

" An ok read about a family trying to deal with the murder of their son. "

" So many readers and reviewers seemed to love this book, but I gave it a second and third try and just couldn't get past the elementary metaphors and caricatured stereotypes. It felt much too heavy-handed and plot-driven to me. "

" Exceptionally well written book dealing with a difficult subject. I finished it about a week ago and am still thinking about it. Very few novels create such an impression. Well worth reading. "

" A good read though there are parts where the writing does let it down, descriptions become nothing more than descriptions for the sake of them without fluidity. I feel that more emotional context could have been established prior to the death of Shep, as a reader, it did not grab me. "

" so far this book is about loss and a family's grief/ and death row. Not sure I can finish, will see how far I get in a book about forgiveness (I believe). "

" Good book, I liked how the author lets the reader be a pert of how each main character of the book deals with the death of Shep. I would recommend this friends looking for their next book. "

" Good read half way through,it explores the bond between mother and child and the issue of capital punishment definately four out of five so far. "

" Definitely a different subject than I had expected. Each character is well defined and, actually, I'm disappointed the mother didn't get further in her knowledge that she would have loved and accepted her son for who he was. Surprises galore. "

" I was expecting a "surprise twist", but never thought of THIS ONE! "

" Very compelling story that gets into the whole death penalty issue. Not the best written book, but the story itself is definitely better than the writing. It kept me interested and thinking about it, even after I finished the book. "

" This book about a family that moves from the midwest to Oregon, where their teenage son is murdered in a home invasion robbery, was riveting and ultimately suprising. "

" A real page-turner, well-explored emotions and with unexpected turns. An excellent story of pain, loss and reconciliation. "

" Reads like non-fiction. Had to remind myself it was fiction. A book that will make you think. "

" Written with such compassion and grace - it really makes you consider how much forgiveness is also part of the moving on... "

" Loved this book. Wonderfully drawn believable characters. Left me wondering how much we really know those we love or if we only love the image of them we accept. Does this then stop us ever knowing them and ourselves? "

" Very interesting novel about loss and redemption. The author keeps you engaged through out the book though I have to say that I didn't quiet expect the twist. "

" I loved the Oregon setting. "

" This book was just ok. It had unnecessary profanity that just didn't seem to flow with the book. It could have been told a lot better and without the obscenities. "

" I was involved with the story and the characters. Thought the ending was a little too pat. "

" A very good story, but sort of anti-climatic. "

" I don't think I have ever sobbed as much as I have reading this gripping, beautifully told tale. Wonderful and compassionate without being mawkish and the author has a way of drawing you into each character's feelings. I loved this "

" Loved this story with all it's drama and twists and turns. "

" A quick but powerful read. Mostly suspenseful but the obvious foreshadowing was it's only downfall. Definitely a sad story and hit close to home with a mother losing her son but definitely recommended. "

" A good read though there are parts where the writing does let it down, descriptions become nothing more than descriptions for the sake of them without fluidity. I feel that more emotional context could have been established prior to the death of Shep, as a reader, it did not grab me. "

" The only reason I requested this book from the library was because the author is coming here in May. What a delight to have read such a compelling touching story. A story we can all relate to at some leverl. It's very well written and I highly recommend it. "

" This is a rich, compelling novel with pieces you want to read out loud to someone you love. I highly recommend this book. "

" I liked this book. It got pretty repetitive and slow around the middle of the book, but interesting enough to keep going. I loved the lesson here...one I could do myself. I would recommend this book!! "

" I liked the twists and turns in this book. Well written and it speaks to the modern families of today. This is a story that reiterates trying to maintain good, open communication with our children. A sad but moving story about love and ultimate forgiveness. "

" Very good. A teenage boy is killed during a home invasion. After 19 years of sitting on death row his killer has been given an execution date. The dead boy's mother has always struggled with the death of her son and now reaches out to the condemned man. "

" Wonderful storyline. Surprising twists and turns. I never saw it coming! "

" This was an interesting book and I liked the way things weren't the way I expected them to be. However, I felt that the overall tone of the story got very heavy-handed towards the end. "