With novels such as The Poet of Tolstoy Park to his credit, Sonny Brewer has established himself as one of the South's most critically acclaimed authors. The Widow and the Tree features a 500-year-old Ghosthead Oak, whose stately presence has borne witness to the rise and fall of generations, to the hopes and dreams of untold lives, and to the births and deaths of innumerable residents along coastal Alabama. So why would a widow enter a biker bar and hire a man to chainsaw the cherished landmark?
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"This book is a beautifully written, poignant tale. I enjoyed the rich language and imagery presented as the tale unfolds. It's reminiscent and equally as tragic as The Giving Tree... "
— Renie (4 out of 5 stars)
“A dark tale of moral choices in a uniquely conjured location.”
— Library Journal" I got this as an audio book from Net Library knowing nothing about it. There's just not a huge choice there. It wasn't terrible, just not that interesting. "
— Karen, 11/14/2013" This book is a beautifully written, poignant tale. I enjoyed the rich language and imagery presented as the tale unfolds. It's reminiscent and equally as tragic as The Giving Tree... "
— Renie, 9/15/2013" Short read but deep and meaningful. Set in northern Florida backwoods, country. Loved it. "
— Diane, 9/3/2013" tried to read it twice and couldn't get into it. "
— Claudia, 8/26/2013" Amazing book & great audiobook. I was riveted to every lyrical line. Highly recommended! "
— Heather, 5/20/2013" Sonny Brewer is a great Southern writer and storyteller. This book is endorsed by Harper Lee - need I say more?! "
— Gretchen, 5/6/2013" A unique and expansive tree fosters differing viewpoints on its power--from a widow, a veteran, a former journalist, and a game warden. "
— Johnvano, 4/5/2013" Weird book. Creepy, good... but sometimes it tries too hard to be creepy. Read House of Leaves instead, much cooler. "
— Corinne, 1/14/2012" The Ghosthead Oak, 5 centuries old, becomes the centerpiece of a beautifully written novel with the characters of the widow, the veteran, the game warden and the deputy. "
— Kitty, 10/10/2011" I really disliked this book. Mostly the way it was written. But I didn't connect with any of the characters. "
— Jennifer, 10/4/2011" Total disappointment! Book needs and editor as the chapters appear out of order and several were totally unecessary. Ignore the blurbs on the cover, it's not worth it. Story was obvious from the beginning and never really goes anywhere. "
— Cody, 8/28/2011" This is an interesting story, especially if you are familiar with Weeks Bay close to Mobile, AL. It is a fast read. "
— Ron, 8/15/2011" I wanted more of everything. More character development, more story, more pages... It was beautiful but not satisfying. "
— Sarahjane, 6/2/2011" Total disappointment! Book needs and editor as the chapters appear out of order and several were totally unecessary. Ignore the blurbs on the cover, it's not worth it. Story was obvious from the beginning and never really goes anywhere. "
— Cody, 3/8/2011" A unique and expansive tree fosters differing viewpoints on its power--from a widow, a veteran, a former journalist, and a game warden. "
— Johnvano, 9/3/2010" Sonny Brewer is a great Southern writer and storyteller. This book is endorsed by Harper Lee - need I say more?! "
— Gretchen, 8/7/2010" I really disliked this book. Mostly the way it was written. But I didn't connect with any of the characters. "
— Jennifer, 7/13/2010" Short read but deep and meaningful. Set in northern Florida backwoods, country. Loved it. "
— Diane, 4/22/2010" Weird book. Creepy, good... but sometimes it tries too hard to be creepy. Read House of Leaves instead, much cooler. "
— Corinne, 4/21/2010" tried to read it twice and couldn't get into it. "
— Claudia, 1/31/2010Sonny Brewer is the author of The Poet of Tolstoy Park and A Sound Like Thunder. He started Over the Transom Bookshop in Fairhope, Alabama and is board chairman of the nonprofit Fairhope Center for the Writing Arts. He is the former editor in chief of Mobile Bay Monthly; he also published and edited Eastern Shore Quarterly magazine, edited Red Bluff Review, and was founding associate editor of the weekly West Alabama Gazette.
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.