What do you think?
Rate this book
The Umbrella Tree
“Make me a tree for all I care.”
Let me elaborate just a bit on this judgment. Whatever you think “death” is and the transition into all things holy at the pearly gates is somewhat a crock. Shocker, right? Actual souls floating around like orbs in a vastness that can’t be explained. For each one of us, it’s different. I, for example, see things in a very open space. But I move slowly, probably because of my drunken stupor in life. Others have told me that the faster you can move about, the more your surroundings take shape.
Let me elaborate just a bit on this judgment. Whatever you think “death” is and the transition into all things holy at the pearly gates is somewhat a crock. Shocker, right? Actual souls floating around like orbs in a vastness that can’t be explained. For each one of us, it’s different. I, for example, see things in a very open space. But I move slowly, probably because of my drunken stupor in life. Others have told me that the faster you can move about, the more your surroundings take shape.
56 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2016
1 person is currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas A. McGirr
7 books154 followersAUTHOR OF THE AFTERLIFE
Nicholas McGirr is a fantasy writer with themes of the afterlife. Nicholas has 4 novels and 3 novelettes published, all of which can be found on amazon. Nicholas holds a BA in English, another BA in Journalism and is currently working on his MFA in Creative Writing.
A previous musician, Nicholas has been a music critic for Steel Town Reviews, and most of his books hold a musical background theme. When Nicholas isn’t checking out the latest music to write to, he visits cemeteries around Charleston to look for inspiration for his next afterlife tale.
Check out his blog, podcast and published works at www.nicholasmcgirr.com.
Nicholas McGirr is a fantasy writer with themes of the afterlife. Nicholas has 4 novels and 3 novelettes published, all of which can be found on amazon. Nicholas holds a BA in English, another BA in Journalism and is currently working on his MFA in Creative Writing.
A previous musician, Nicholas has been a music critic for Steel Town Reviews, and most of his books hold a musical background theme. When Nicholas isn’t checking out the latest music to write to, he visits cemeteries around Charleston to look for inspiration for his next afterlife tale.
Check out his blog, podcast and published works at www.nicholasmcgirr.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Umbrella Tree is incredibly different from the first book in the Tree Collection. It isn't ambiguous like The Life Tree which I found very comforting. When I received this book in the mail, I wondered whether or not it would be a direct sequel from The Life Tree following the protagonist and whether or not they came to the realize that I was surprised to find that the novel followed a new character, a man named Strickland, an alcoholic who had his full memories of life and was transformed as an Umbrella Tree in his next life.
I reread The Life Tree just before starting The Umbrella Tree just in case my former theory was correct. While it's a beautiful and poetic book, it is incredibly frustrating. Every chapter is full of questions with the unnamed, ungendered, unknown protagonist trying to remember who they were alive, though the Afterword at the end does a great job at clearing up and answering most of the questions from the novelette.
I enjoyed The Umbrella Tree much more for how clear cut and honest it was. I enjoyed Strickland's voice and how even in death he was still an alcoholic (though now forced to be be sober). I enjoyed how sarcastic he was, how unwilling he was to talk about certain things. I enjoyed how he talked about his past and how much he missed his wife who he drove away with his drinking. I haven't read many novels with alcoholic protagonists, but Strickland's narrative really gave a glimpse to how strong a hold alcohol can have on a person.
The only criticism, like I gave in my review for The Life Tree, is that it's just too short. I felt like so much more could have been examined and explained about Strickland's past. And while the Afterword was very helpful for The Life Tree, it felt a bit redundant for this novel. Since their is no ambiguity and the reader knows who Strickland is and his past, explaining what an Umbrella Tree is is a bit unnecessary. I feel it would be better to let the reader infer some of the unanswered things that the Afterword later answers for themselves
Overall, The Umbrella Tree is a nice, short read and study about the after-life.
October 24, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The Umbrella Tree is the second novelette in The Tree collection.
The Umbrella Tree is considerably different from The Life Tree. Whereas in the first book, The second book consists mostly of flashbacks of the person within The Umbrella Tree, complete with detail of who they were and how they died.
I greatly appreciated the message and the second dedication as the novelette revolves around alcoholism and the negative consequences that becomes of it. As someone that could be considered on the other side of the spectrum, I could understand and relate as someone that has seen firsthand the chaos alcoholism can bring about.
Strickland, the alcoholic that has ruined his life and others through his obsession of the drink, is rather annoying, and a perspective that it is not quite comfortable to be in.
Whereas the first book was more poetically written, with deep descriptions, the second book was more forward and to the point, sparing minute details and instead focusing on thoughts and process. I do admit, I liked the first better in that aspect.
I also admit that I was rather confused as to whether Strickland is the same character in The Life Tree, and he has just regained his memories and is growing from a Life Tree into an Umbrella Tree, or if he is a completely new character and tree.
The afterword brought more to attention, and I was definitely intrigued by that, and liked the purpose of the Umbrella Tree.
Overall, (While The Life Tree I gave 2 stars, although I am thinking of rereading it, so maybe that will change.) I originally gave The Umbrella Tree 3 stars. I have since decreased it to two stars because it was average at best.
The Umbrella Tree is the second novelette in The Tree collection.
The Umbrella Tree is considerably different from The Life Tree. Whereas in the first book, The second book consists mostly of flashbacks of the person within The Umbrella Tree, complete with detail of who they were and how they died.
I greatly appreciated the message and the second dedication as the novelette revolves around alcoholism and the negative consequences that becomes of it. As someone that could be considered on the other side of the spectrum, I could understand and relate as someone that has seen firsthand the chaos alcoholism can bring about.
Strickland, the alcoholic that has ruined his life and others through his obsession of the drink, is rather annoying, and a perspective that it is not quite comfortable to be in.
Whereas the first book was more poetically written, with deep descriptions, the second book was more forward and to the point, sparing minute details and instead focusing on thoughts and process. I do admit, I liked the first better in that aspect.
I also admit that I was rather confused as to whether Strickland is the same character in The Life Tree, and he has just regained his memories and is growing from a Life Tree into an Umbrella Tree, or if he is a completely new character and tree.
The afterword brought more to attention, and I was definitely intrigued by that, and liked the purpose of the Umbrella Tree.
Overall, (While The Life Tree I gave 2 stars, although I am thinking of rereading it, so maybe that will change.) I originally gave The Umbrella Tree 3 stars. I have since decreased it to two stars because it was average at best.
June 5, 2016
So excited! I can't wait to read!
July 4, 2016
Great sequel. Only put it down to sleep for work!
Love the first person narration, and the imagery Nicholas created. I can't wait for the next in the series.
Love the first person narration, and the imagery Nicholas created. I can't wait for the next in the series.
July 15, 2016
Gosh, I now have to wait for book three.
April 28, 2017
The sequel to the captivating short story "The Tree of Life" Nicholas A. McGirr has cranked out another masterpiece. Exploring deeper into the idea of reincarnation, the reader is taken through the journey of a soul's search of the present while remembering its past life. It is also explained the meaning of whatever tree a soul will turn out to be. Once again, take a step into McGirr's realm of spiritual and self-meaning journeys to learn the meaning of life in your own perspective.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews